Shelbyfest boosts Jefferson City’s economy

Thousands of people are expected to visit downtown Jefferson City this weekend for the 10th Annual Shelbyfest.

The Mustang car show attracted about 15,000 people last year and even more are projected to attend this year.

Events started Thursday morning and go through Saturday night.

Last year was the event’s first year in Jefferson City and attendees brought in about $100,000 to local businesses, according to Chris Wilson with the city’s Convention and Visitor’s Bureau.

“People coming into the area spending money at hotels, restaurants, gas stations, retail shops, so we projected it at just under $100,000 last year as far as attendees spending money in the community,” Wilson said.

J. Pfenny’s Sports Grill and Pub’s General Manager Jay Cheshire said his business was busier than usual last year when Shelbyfest came to town.

“We did see you know a pick up in business and a lot of people came into town and that’s always good,” Cheshire said. “Anything, events like this when we have them downtown are always good for the downtown and local businesses.”

One of the event’s sponsors said the show had already grown significantly since moving to Jefferson City.

“We were doing it at Hermann ,and there was no room really there for us,” Gateway Classic Mustang Co-Owner Lonny Childress said. “We weren’t able to do any of these driving events like we’re doing out here now. The show has grown exponentially.”

Wilson said he expected the money brought in by Shelbyfest to be even greater this year as the festival has even more events for its 10 year anniversary.

Although the main event is Saturday, Wilson said overnight hotel stays were already up from last year.

Drivers can expect a few road closures in downtown Jefferson City this weekend with the event. Parts of West and East High Street will be blocked off as well as areas of Madison Street, Monroe Street and Capitol Avenue.

You can find a full list of Shelbyfest events here.