Virgin Fest to bring more flash than cash

And while fans will no doubt bring their dollars with them to Baltimore, the fact that Pimlico is on the far western side of Baltimore and not in a prime downtown location likely will mean that Baltimore City will experience less of an economic impact than previously expected.

“If each person is spending roughly $50 ? that?s $2 million, through multipliers ? about $3 million to $4 million can be added to the local economy,” said Richard Clinch, director of economic development at the University of Baltimore. “It?s not a huge impact. It makes Baltimore more of a tourist destination, though, reinforcing the city?s comeback.”

Spending money is where the real tourist impact comes from. The $50 that Clinch estimates the visitors to the area will spend locally is outside of the cost of tickets to the concert, which range anywhere from $97.50 for a one-day pass to $450 for a two-day VIP ticket.

While they cannot estimate the total impact of the concert, the Baltimore Area Convention and Visitors Association agrees with Clinch?s assessment that the biggest thing Baltimore gets out of the concert?s return is more exposure.

“It?s a great bump we get in publicity,” said Nancy Hinds, vice president of public affairs for BACVA. “Coming on the heels of Restaurant Week and the Jazz Festival, combined with the big-name headline acts, it could bring in people for longer stays, who will spend money in hotels, restaurants, shops or other venues while they are here.”

And while Pimlico will be rocking in August, nothing brings in the dollars like its famous horse race.

“The Virgin Festival just isn?t a huge economic driver,” Clinch said. “Not like the Preakness ? that pumps in millions.”

If you go

» Tickets for the two-day event go on sale May 5. Virgin Festival information and ticket sales are available online.

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