COLUMBIA, S.C. — As thousands flock to our city to celebrate their graduates, businesses say they're getting a big boost this weekend.
Many visitors to Columbia called local hotels only to find that they were booked solid.
Keenan Coleman, with Hotel Trundle, described the rush his hotel is facing now that thousands of students, and their families, are in the capital city for graduation.
"When it comes to big events like this, graduation, as soon as we drop those rates, sold out," Coleman said.
According to Kelly Barbrey with Experience Columbia, it's a pattern throughout the city this weekend, being one of the busiest weekends to visit throughout the year.
"This is a popular weekend to go out for lunch, brunch, dinner - it's really hard a reservation for one of those restaurants," Barbrey said.
The same can be said for the Thirsty Fellow, a restaurant and bar that sits right next to Colonial Life Area where the University of South Carolina graduation takes place. Landon Stokes is a manager at the restaurant and said they've booked with families and parties for days
"If they're not involved in graduation, they're probably here, or not on a trip, they're here. We're all hands on deck," he said joking. "Parking has been rough but, other than that, business has been booming."
Barbrey said that with so many families coming from around the country, this weekend offers an opportunity to showcase the South Carolina Midlands.
"If they come, and they experience it, they're more likely to book a meeting or convention here," Barbrey said. "Maybe they have another child that's looking for a place to go to college. Then, they get sold on coming here. It's our best-selling tool, getting people right in the door and having them enjoy everything our region has to offer."
Some of those travelers included Chris Nichols and his family. They came to Columbia from Kentucky to watch his daughter Jules get her diploma from the University of South Carolina. They're staying for an extended weekend, he said.
"Every night, we've bounced around from bar hopping to restaurants to everything," Nichols said. "I think we've got the left-hand side of Main Street completed by now."