Oxford prepared for a busy weekend

OXFORD, Miss. (WCBI) – For college towns like Oxford and Starkville, the summer months can be slow.

But when sporting tournaments come into town, business picks right back up. 

Graduation is over and summer school hasn’t begun. This is usually a quiet time in Oxford, but the city is gearing up for a busy weekend.

Ole Miss is hosting the NCAA Regional softball tournament and that means fans are taking over.

“It’s unexpected but we love that and we love that we can fill hotel rooms this weekend and that we can bring visitors here from out of town to come shop and dine in a restaurant and support the Ole Miss women’s softball team,” said Visit Oxford director Mary Allyn Hedges.

Mary Allyn Hedges said the visitors and the business are already pouring in.

“The hotels I talked to them earlier today and they said some of the team had arrived yesterday and that more fans will be coming in today through the weekend and I think you’ll start seeing fans you know milling around the square and shopping and dining,” said Hedges.

She said it’s nice to have a boost in visitors especially now that school is out.

“After graduation, it tends to be a little bit quieter here in town but with orientations happening at the University of Mississippi, town tends to stay pretty steady during the week but we’re like I said, really excited especially the weekend after graduation,” said Hedges.

Local restaurants and stores are making plans to prepare for more customers.

“We have somebody in our office she’s our partnership manager she serves as a liaison between our office and all the businesses and the partners within the community to make sure that they know hey you might want to have some extra staff on hand because of this happening.  Just so people know, hey be aware, be ready to host all these visitors that we’ll have coming into town,” said Hedges.

Hedges said the softball tournament isn’t the only reason for an increase in visitors. FNC Park is hosting a softball tournament as well.