OC’s Sunfest to boost business during off-season

delmarva this might mean less foot traffic or business. 47 abc’s lissette nu?ez tell us about one local event — aiming to boost business during the off-season. track 1 as summer comes to an end -beaches can start look a little empty. but for ocean city – events throughout the fall can help bring those same summer crowds. wednesday afternoon – event organizers began set up for sunfest. frank miller, oc special events director 17:17:15 it really is what i would refer to as our keystone event17:17:18 butt 17:18:12 we have guests that will come into town beginning on thursday and and they stay all the way until sunday, they’ll eat here they’ll lodge here”17:18:17 track 2 with its live music — crafts — and food — ocean city events director frank miller says sunfest brings about 200 thousand people to town and boosts local business. while ocean city officials could not confirm how much money the festival brings in, one business that does benefit is soriano’s restaurant and coffee shop. patty soriano, soriano’s restaurant and coffee shop 17:12:51 a lot of people like to come in and get set up with breakfastand then travel down to the tents and just have a great time walking around downtown.”17:12:55 track 3 manager patty soriano tells us she has to cut back on employees shortly after labor day when business slows down. but she says fall events like sunfest help keep her business running year round. patty soriano, soriano’s restaurant and coffee shop 17:13:18 they’ve gotten some great events through september and even into early october during the weekends so it helps during the bumper season, and the weekends picks up as the weekdays slow up.”17:13:29 track 4 however businesses in the northern part of ocean city think otherwise. 47 abc also spoke to multiple bike and segway rental businesses who declined to comment on camera but tell us sunfest does not benefit their business. they say sunfest attendees tend to stay by the inlet – which doesn’t bring visitors to other parts of the town. miller adds that sunfest is just one attraction for the town during the off-season – and according to him it has sparked more event ideas to keep bringing people to ocean city year round. frank miller, oc special events director 17:17:26it has proven itself to be a valuable commodity and because of it we’ve seen a lot of other events come up.”17:17:32 track 5 lisette nu?ez 47 abc. sunfest will kick off tomorrow and runs throughout the weekend. for more information on parking and shuttle service this weekend just logon to 47 abc-dot-com. coming up – the latest on the protests