Homecoming weekend brings excitement to ACU campus as well as a economic boom for local business.
Alumni, perspective students, former ACU students and families flood into Abilene to share the joy of the homecoming weekend. Many events will make the special weekend memorable, like the Social club breakfasts, the Homecoming Parade, Academic reunion receptions and the Homecoming Musical, The King & I.
Nancy Liles, executive director for the Abilene Convention and Visitors Bureau, said Homecoming is a big weekend event that benefits the local economy. Restaurants, hotels and other services are prepared for the people.
“We anticipate 1,500 visitors from out of town and about $374,000 for the local economy,” said Liles. “Likewise, Sing Song brings about $200,000 for local business.”
Liles also said big events like the Texas High School Rodeo and the Texas Youth Bull Riders can benefit the Abilene economy with more than a million dollars.
The Whitten Inn University is located close to ACU at 1625 Texas 35. According to the manager of the hotel, all 160 rooms have been reserved for the weekend.
“Our business during the Homecoming weekend is always great, ” said Mary Ann Whitten, the manager of the Whitten Inn University.
The typical price for a room at the Whitten Inn University is $60 per night. Most visitors will start checking in on Friday afternoon and stay for the weekend. Crowds come into town every year during ACU’s Homecoming, as well as other universities’ homecomings. Rooms are usually all booked during these busy times.
Jennifer Arreeondo, the front desk manager of the Comfort Suite University, said all 68 rooms of the hotel are full.
“We sometimes have to call other hotels for coming customers,” said Arreeondo. “I am glad many customers don’t mind. ”
The Comfort Suite University locates at 1902 East I-20, which is about half mile away from campus. Visitors need to reserve the rooms for Homecoming weekend at least six months beforehand.
Visitors can go to http://www.abilenevisitors.com/ to find hotels that have rooms available.
