Weekend Events Draw Big Crowds

Some big ticket events have been drawing thousands to Grand Forks all weekend.

Besides the UND hockey series, thousands flocked to both the Alerus Center and the Ralph this afternoon for family shows.

The Trans-Siberian Orchestra, a local favorite was back once again, this time for an afternoon show.

And the Disney Playhouse Live Tour had to add a second show after the 1 p-m performance sold out.

Cars and trucks slowly crawl north on 42nd street as thousands of eager fans head for the Alerus Center.

Tami Pearson/ Alerus Marketing Manager: Canadian travelers, a lot of people coming from Minnesota, western North Dakota, coming from farther than just the greater Grand Forks area.

Just outside the Alerus Center, more long lines of people make their way inside for an afternoon show of the Trans-Siberian orchestra.

Tami Pearson/ Alerus Marketing Manager: Having an 8 o'clock performance, sometimes doesn't help the out of towners, they get back very late, so having a 4 o'clock performance on a Sunday has definitely been a positive for us.

At the same time, families and kids head for Engelstad Arena to see their favorite Disney stars take the stage.

Chris Semrau/ REA Events Director: If you have young kids, you know the passion they have for Mickey, Minnie, all the characters, so it's fun to watch the reaction at a show like this.

Last night, this was a sellout hockey game. Today, it's two afternoon performances of the Disney Playhouse tour.

Chris Semrau/ REA Events Director: We started converting immediately after the hockey game was over last night and they worked all night to change from hockey facility to a family show event center.

Local tourism experts say having this number of live events in Grand Forks in one weekend is rare, but every additional venue provides another chance for the city to capitalize.

Sandy Dobmeier/ Grand Forks CVB: Usually there's not so much on one weekend but it's great for the community, there'll be a lot of economic impact off all of it, people eating at restaurants, shopping of course, when they make the trip to town.

Alerus Center staff say they don't yet have the final gate numbers for the orchestra performance, but say ticket sales this afternoon were well ahead of the pace from the show one year ago.

Tags: reporter stories, joel porter, grand forks, trans siberian orchestra, disney playhouse, alerus center, ralph engelstad arena, news