Stateline Sporting Events Trigger Big Economic Impact

(Rockford, Illinois) Two major sporting events are going on this weekend in Rockford, attracting thousands of visitors to the Forest City. Those two tournaments are the Rockford Park District`s Watermelon Soccer Tournament, and the BMX Midwest Nationals tournament held at Searls Park. At Sportsscore One, more than 160 teams were taking part in one of the biggest soccer tournaments in the entire Midwest this summer. Many of those taking part are not from Rockford, and that means the area is seeing a big boost in spending from "out of towners" who are buying meals here and staying in hotel rooms in Rockford. Marianne Larson, a manager for the Rockford Park District says all those people spending money in the Stateline area during the tournament has a powerful impact on the local economy and adds, "That`s the economic impact to the community with this tournament. They stay here in the city with us. Probably they generate a million dollars in funds to the city." Larson adds probably more than three thousand players and their families come to Rockford to take part in the Watermelon Tournament.