Ice Festival helps city business
According to survey results, the 40th Annual Ice Festival in Plymouth was a great success.
The survey, sent out to local merchants and businesses by the Downtown Development Authority, asked local business owners and operators to answer five questions about the festival which took place throughout the downtown area Feb. 11 through 13.
According to the survey, nearly 65 percent of the respondents saw an in crease in foot traffic in their business during the event this year, while 17.65 did not and 17.65 percent said the foot traffic was about the same.
At the same time, 52.94 of the respondents saw an increase in sales during the weekend while 29.41 percent did not and 15.65 percent said business was about the same as last year.The Bingo Scavenger Hunt helped about 35.29 percent of businesses “a lot” while it helped 23.53 percent “a little”. Only 5.88 percent said the game did not help at all. Of the respondents, 35.29 percent said they did not participate in the bingo game.
Comments on the survey included compliments about the ice being displayed throughout the downtown area. Merchants said was a great way to keep crowds moving through town and showing off the businesses and features in the community.
Having more public events, restrooms and warming tents or fire pits like Campus Marius provides along with marshmallow roasts was also suggested. In addition, having the business name on the sculptures was suggested.
Some merchants felt scheduling the event around the Superbowl and Valentine's Day “wasn't a good idea.”
