Page 15 - BusinessWest April 28, 2021

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Simpson told BusinessWest that evi- dence abounds that people are looking to get back out and do the things they simply couldn’t do, or were certainly apprehensive about doing, during the pandemic. And that includes a trip, or several, to the Museums, which were closed for four long months last year before reopening to 25% capacity last summer.
“I think there is a real appetite for people to come out again, and
I think our summer is going to be very strong, and summer will be a really good indication for us of how the rest of the year will unfold.”
The capacity limit was recently raised to 50%, and Simpson said num- bers of visitors to the Quadrangle have been rising steadily over the past sev- eral months, pointing toward what she expects will be a very solid last three quarters of 2021 — and beyond.
“Once the capacity was increased to 50%, we’ve had more and more people come to the Museums,” she noted. “I think there is a real appetite for people to come out again, and I think our summer is going to be very strong, and summer will be a really good indica- tion for us of how the rest of the year will unfold; it typically is. If we have a strong summer, we usually have a very good year.”
The Museums will not be able to conduct some of the popular fam-
ily programs that have traditionally been strong draws during the summer months, due to restrictions on large numbers of people together in tight spaces, but those at the Quadrangle will make full use of its outdoor spaces and exhibits at all five museums.
That includes the the Amazing World of Dr. Seuss Museum, which, several years after its opening, contin- ues to bring people from across the region and the country, and also from around the world, to Springfield.
“Dr. Seuss remains a huge draw
— our highest attendance since we reopened in the summer was a ‘beep and greet’ we did on the weekend that followed Dr. Seuss’ birthday in March,” Simpson said. “We had 700 ticketed admissions; that’s about half of what we would typically get for a Dr. Seuss birthday party celebration, but it was a beep-and-greet — people were in their cars. That just shows the incredible drawing power he has.” u
—George O’Brien
COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT
APRIL 28, 2021 15
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