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.