By Steve Steiner
Managing editor
editor@elkintribune.com


Although gas concerns and a weakening economy -- along with a perilous situation in the investment banking industry -- are weighing heavy on the minds of many, it may prove of benefit to tonight's Fourth Friday and Saturday's Pumpkin Festival events. It is possible more people will remain close to home, rather than travel too far. If that proves to be the case, turnout may be close to previous years.

That is the hope of Laurette Leagon, the president and CEO of the Yadkin Valley Chamber of Commerce. She also believes the events, especially the Pumpkin Festival, will still attract out-of-towners.

"I had a tourist call from Waynesville, which is in the western part of the state," Leagon said. "Her big concern was not how much gas cost, but do we have gas."

Leagon said she found that to be an interesting question.

Still, she doesn't discount that events like Fourth Friday and the Pumpkin Festival haven't felt the effects of a softening economy.

"The things we have seen are, officially, attendance has been off by about 6 percent," she said. "I won't be surprised if this year our turnout is lighter than last year.

However, even with attendance slightly down, there has been a silver lining.

"The wine festival in May was off by about 2,000 people," Leagon said. "However, even though attendance was down, the number of purchases were up and quite a few of the wineries sold out of everything."

She hopes the same will occur with the Pumpkin Festival.

"It's very much a family-oriented event," she said. "so people should come down to Elkin and enjoy."