MANSFIELD, Ohio — The Miss Ohio pageant brings around $200,000 to the Mansfield area, and it has done this consistently for nearly 40 years, according to Lee Tasseff, president of Mansfield/Richland County Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Tasseff and his team track the individuals who come to Mansfield for the pageant.
“You’re looking at around 800 to 1,000 people coming through and staying multiple nights,” said Tasseff. “The increased traffic amounts to about $200,000.”
He said each contestant brings their own entourage of about 10 to 20 individuals, but there are others from the organization who travel to Mansfield for the pageant as well.
Before the pageant underwent new leadership in February 2015, its return to Mansfield was unknown. It could have moved to a larger city, but Executive Director Steven Oliveri made it his and the board’s mission to keep the pageant in Mansfield.
“I’m very excited for this year. I’m thrilled that we get to come to Mansfield. It’s always a lot of fun,” said Oliveri. “I live and work in Cleveland, but I know more people in Mansfield than I do here in Strongsville. I’ll earn my money here, and spend it in Mansfield.”
Oliveri said he has come to Mansfield for the pageant week in the middle of June for 30 years. “If you think about that, that’s like half a year I’ve spent in Mansfield.”
The businesses that see most of the business in town are hotels like the Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites and M-Star Hotel on Park Avenue, directly across the street from the Renaissance Theater.
According to Rooms Division Manager Josh Davis, the Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites has 106 rooms. During the pageant week, he said, the hotel will have an increased number of rooms filled compared to normal occupancy. The hotel will also host the Miss Ohio Coronation at the end of the week in their ballroom.
M-Star Hotel on 137 Park Avenue West will be sold out, according to Manager Warscha Nagpal. Most of their occupants will be involved in some way or another with the pageant, she said.
On Sunday, June 14 the pageant will kick off with a parade through downtown Mansfield. The parade ends at the carrousel, which is also good for business, according to area business owners and managers.
“There are more people who come through downtown during the week (of the pageant). And then business really picks up after the parade because they end at the carrousel,” said Two Cousins Manager Andy McIntyre.
“We see a lot of business throughout the week, breakfast especially,” said Coney Island Owner Cathy Smith.
Hair Dresser for Studio 19 Debbie Bradford has been cutting one of the judge’s hair for 15 years; the judge is from Solon, Ohio.
Mike Miller, President and CEO of the Renaissance Theater, said downtown Mansfield is abuzz with activity when the pageant comes through. “Mansfield has embraced this for a long time,” said Miller.
Secretary of the Board and Stage Manager for the Miss Ohio pageant Terri Herlihy said there were four bids on the pageant. But, she said, the board believed it was too important for Mansfield.
“We wanted to keep it here. It (the pageant) could go anywhere but doesn’t. I think if it went to a bigger city that it would get lost. This is a perfect sized town for it,” said Herlihy.
For a list of daily events during this year’s Miss Ohio pageant week, visit Mansfield/Richland County Convention and Visitors Bureau’s website.
