Delaware Junction has rolled out of Harrington but organizers say the country music festival will be back in 2016.
The three day country music festival brought about 20,000 music fans to the Delaware State fairgrounds over the weekend.
Cindy Small, Executive Director for Kent County Tourism says Delaware’s summer music festivals expand on the revenue sources generated by more established tourism engines like NASCAR and the Delaware State Fair.
“We have the infrastructure already in place so why not take advantage of it by having festivals and things at alternative times,” she says. And I think the great response to Delaware Junction just goes to prove that in some cases, if you build it, they will come.”
Small adds that another successful summer music event is good news for the region.
"The music festivals have brought a different kind of visitor to Kent County and we know from the research that was done last year on the Firefly Music Festival; the profound economic impact they are making on our communities,” she notes.
Because Delaware Junction and its country cousin Big Barrel were new this year, it’s not yet known how much money was brought into the local economy.
Late last year, a study conducted by the University of Delaware revealed the 2014 edition of Dover’s Firefly Music Festival contributed more than 68 million dollars to the regional economy.
The UD study found money spent on goods and services generated by the festival averaged out to 850 dollars per guest.
Retail stores, bars and restaurants benefited the most - with security services, and hotel and motels also reaping rewards.