GROVE, OK.--- Grove is bracing itself for a flood of tourism.
"You can feel the enthusiasm build as this thing gets close. It's going to be be really exciting," says Sam Williams, Grove Shop Owner.
The Bassmaster Classic will kick of at Wolf Creek Park the last weekend in February.
"This is a lot bigger than most people are anticipating," says Williams.
So big, the park itself is getting a makeover specifically for the fishing tournament.
"The city, the state, even the federal government all came together to build a 5 million dollar fishing facility right here," says Ted Jones, Grand Lake Association.
City leaders say it's an investment for the future.
"It is going to be huge, because now, we can house any tournament in the country," says Jones.
Grand Lake is already booked through March for different tournaments. Local shop owners like Sam Williams says the event will have a huge impact on his business.
"All the little merchants are going to feel something in the month of February, which is typically the slowest month is small resort towns. They're going to feel something very special," says Williams.
The Bassmaster Classic is expected to generate $26 million in northeast Oklahoma. Many hotels and lakeside resorts are already booked up for that weekend. The Bassmaster kicks off at 6 in the morning when the 50 best anglers in the country head out to try their luck.
"You can feel the enthusiasm build as this thing gets close. It's going to be be really exciting," says Sam Williams, Grove Shop Owner.
The Bassmaster Classic will kick of at Wolf Creek Park the last weekend in February.
"This is a lot bigger than most people are anticipating," says Williams.
So big, the park itself is getting a makeover specifically for the fishing tournament.
"The city, the state, even the federal government all came together to build a 5 million dollar fishing facility right here," says Ted Jones, Grand Lake Association.
City leaders say it's an investment for the future.
"It is going to be huge, because now, we can house any tournament in the country," says Jones.
Grand Lake is already booked through March for different tournaments. Local shop owners like Sam Williams says the event will have a huge impact on his business.
"All the little merchants are going to feel something in the month of February, which is typically the slowest month is small resort towns. They're going to feel something very special," says Williams.
The Bassmaster Classic is expected to generate $26 million in northeast Oklahoma. Many hotels and lakeside resorts are already booked up for that weekend. The Bassmaster kicks off at 6 in the morning when the 50 best anglers in the country head out to try their luck.
