Posted on 12/05/2008 12:07:49 PM PST by weegee
This weekend's Dickens on The Strand is Galveston's first major event since Hurricane Ike struck in September, and could indicate how quickly this island city can revive its vital tourism industry.
The 35th year of the festival, which recreates the 19th century with period costumes, also is an attempt by Galveston businesses to let the outside world know that most of its restaurants and hotels and many of its attractions are up and running.
...The Galveston Tourism and Convention Bureau has predicted that tourism will return to pre-Ike levels by spring break, but that is of little consolation to shop owners in the Galveston Historical District that are laboring to reopen.
...Storm water fouled the 500 lamps that are normally scattered throughout the festival area at night, forcing the event to close three hours earlier than normal Saturday, Jones said.
Dickens on The Strand will run from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, he said.
...The Galveston Historic District was inundated by more than 10 feet of sea water that left floors caked with slimy mud and store interiors in shambles.
Jenkins said it took 15 workers two days of cleaning muck and debris at Hendley Market before repairs could even begin.
...Flores expects 95 percent of businesses to be open by spring.
...Island's hotels nearly full Hurricane damage forced Moody Gardens to alter and slightly shorten the path of lights and reduce the number of exhibits from 100 to about 75, said Moody Gardens spokeswoman Jerri Hamachek.
...Entrepreneurs profited from disaster bus tours in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina in 2005, but there is no evidence of such disaster tourism in Galveston so far, Gaskins said.
(Excerpt) Read more at chron.com ...
Being born in 1957 almost my entire life is post Ike.
I’d certainly prefer a trip to Galveston this winter over a trip to New Orleans.
the hurricane not the president..
Well..., a favorite spot of mine is gone in Galveston. The 61st Street Pier (and building) is gone. I survived a tornado in that building when one went right over it (and I was inside...).
61st Street Pier in Galveston...
Before —
http://www.61stfishingpier.freewebspace.com/
During —
http://news.webshots.com/photo/2845971100026445069lsCiNP
And after —
http://news.webshots.com/photo/2935548720017285164rdGhts
This happened during Hurricane Ike
I haven't heard if the hospitals have been able to reopen. Surely they have by now---I hope!
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