Calls are coming into Grant County's hotels from visitors interested in coming to Marion for the James Dean Fest in June, but officials said plenty of rooms are still available for that weekend.
"We're only a third booked," said Carrie Morgan, who works in guest services at Hampton Inn, 1502 N. Baldwin Ave. She said hotel staff is fielding two or three calls each day about the festival June 3 through 5 at the Marion Municipal Airport.
"I'm pretty sure we will sell out," she said.
Wednesday afternoon, only Comfort Suites reported being sold out for the James Dean Fest weekend, said Karen Niverson, executive director of the Marion/Grant County Visitors and Convention Bureau.
The 62 rooms at Comfort Suites, 1345 N. Baldwin Ave., were booked within the past few weeks, as more details about the festival were released, front desk clerk Kaylee Adair said.
"When everybody found out about the June (event) they booked what they could really fast, pretty much whatever was available they took, whether it be smoking or non," she said. "It's insane. It's been pretty good for business, but it has been crazy and pretty hectic. We have people from out-of-state, anywhere from Washington, Oklahoma, Texas, anywhere and everywhere."
Many hotels planned to raise their rates for the festival weekend. Rooms at Hampton Inn and Holiday Inn Express will go up about $20.
"I am pretty confident that we will sell out," said Deborah Austin, manager of Holiday Inn Express, 4914 Beaner Blvd., near the Interstate 69/Ind. 22 interchange. "I know that Mississinewa (High School) graduation is that weekend, and family members are panicking, calling to reserve rooms. Most of my rooms that are reserved right now are for the Mississinewa graduation."
Earlier this week a Muncie radio station, citing Marion Mayor Wayne Seybold as the source, reported that all of Grant County's hotel rooms were sold out for the June event. Seybold said Wednesday that he related an unconfirmed report to the station. He planned to meet this week with festival organizers but expects the full event schedule will be released gradually as bands or other attractions are booked.
"I hope people continue to talk about it," he said.
While hotel officials still are waiting for an influx of James Dean Fest attendees, only a handful of rooms remain for the annual Fairmount Museum Days/Remembering James Dean festival. That's because guests typically book rooms for the September event well in advance, staying at the same establishments year after year.
"For the annual event in September, I'm sold out," said Austin, from the Holiday Inn Express. "We'll have cancellations throughout the year but it's amazing, we probably get 10 to 20 calls within a month asking for reservations in September."
