The historically charming streets of Guthrie could have become a veritable ghost town in 2020.
The COVID-19 pandemic canceled beloved events like the Territorial Christmas festivities, Oklahoma International Bluegrass Festival and 89er Days Celebration. Overnight visitors stopped booking rooms. The Scottish Rite Masonic Temple couldn't host tours, concerts or other events.
"Tourism is our bread and butter ... and the pandemic was hampering our overnight tourism so much," said Justin Fortney, Guthrie's director of tourism and community development. "But having 'Reagan' posted up for such a long time was a lifesaver. Between 'Reagan' and some of the Lazy E (Arena) events that they had there last year in 2020, those things were a lifeline to the economy here."