USA: Time Right For Holiday Tourism

Dodge City has established itself as a tourism town.

With the continuing popularity of Gunsmoke throughout the world, Dodge City has become one of the must-see locations for European tourists.

Front Street, the Boot Hill Museum, Long Branch Saloon, the variety show, gun fights, bronze statues and a Walk of Fame all adds to the Wild West theme tourists seek.

Dodge City has also established itself as a day-trip location. Rodeos, shows at United Wireless Arena, the 3i SHOW, Boot Hill Casino, Dodge City Days, Wild West Fest and more help bring people here from throughout southwest Kansas, Colorado, Oklahoma and New Mexico.The move of the 3i SHOW to October will help those numbers grow, but we need more.

The time between Dodge City Days and January's Tournament of Champions had a lull, a dead spot for tourism or day trips. Moving 3i to October helped, but we believe the time is right for an annual holiday spectacular to draw people here in December.

We're open to suggestions. Turning Wright Park into a drive-through lights display with cowboys caroling would be good. An annual holiday festival with hay rides, hot chocolates, ice artists and holiday craft show might work as well.

We have an ice rink, how about an annual Holiday on Ice show?

January has ToC, March now has a state basketball tournament. Summer is packed with activities, especially Dodge City Days. 3i is now in the fall.

The time is right for Dodge City to grab more tourists. We believe this will go a long way to making Dodge City a premiere destination.

Lots of communities want to be known as the Cowboy Capital of the World. We have a legitimate claim to the title.

Let's come up with something to bring Western-themed tourists here during the holiday season and reap the rewards of being Dodge City throughout the year.