Classics Mean Big Bucks to Businesses

While the horses have taken over the Harrison County Fairgrounds for the Winter Classics, their competitors and trainers have taken over the Coast.
Winter Classics organizers say they expect 800 to 1,000 competitors for the six week-long event, an event they say has an economic impact of over $40 million for the Coast. That means Coast restaurants and hotels are happily opening their doors to the horse enthusiasts as they open their wallets. For some, when it comes to profits, the Classics take the cake. Coast restaurateur Rob Stinson said, “I tell you what, every year we anxiously wait for them to come. I think it’s the biggest financial impact of any group that comes to the Gulf Coast. It’s such a great clientele. That’s the part about it that makes this one exciting and I think people underestimate the impact they have because they’re in all the hotels. They spend money going out to eat. They’re here to enjoy themselves.”
The Winter Classics will run through March 20th.

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