TALLAHASSEE, FL (WTXL) -- As Springtime Tallahassee organizers prepare for festivities, leaders expect the city to benefit financially, with thousands of visitors coming to town.
For more than five decades, Springtime Tallahassee has drawn in millions of dollars this time every year.
"It's just as big as any FSU football game weekend," said Carol Leon, the general chairman of Springtime Tallahassee.
We know how much Tallahassee loves its football, but the Capital City also looks forward to Springtime.
"If you think, 'Oh, it's just a parade.' It's way more than that," Leon said. "It contributes enormously to our economic climate in Tallahassee."
Last year, the total economic impact of visitors outside the county was $9.1 million. The festivities brought more than 27,000 visitors outside Leon County.
Organizers say those visitors spent 8,500 nights in total at local hotels and motels because of Springtime Tallahassee.
"They come to town. They spend a lot of money," Leon said. "They spend money on hotel rooms. They spend money on groceries, gas, restaurants, that sort of thing."
Grand Marshal Jim Murdaugh says Springtime's impact gets bigger each year.
"I've seen that growth. Exciting to watch that growth," he said. "It's exciting to bring attention to the best that Tallahassee has to offer."
"We matter," Leon said. "It means a lot to Tallahassee to have Springtime here."
Organizers say part of the impact comes from out-of-towners who are paying Springtime members. They get to preview the floats before the public, and when things start wrapping up Saturday night, there's what's called a "crash party" as a way to say thank you.
**Friday night's music festival has now been relocated to The Moon on Lafayette Street, due to weather.**
