UTICA, N.Y. — The Boilermaker is more than just a recurring one-time local economic shot in the arm. It’s a megadose of tourism dollars.
“Even though it is just one day, people come in early, they stay late, and they have to eat; they want to drink; they have to fill up with gas, so they’re doing all those things while they’re here,” said Sarah Foster Calero, president of Oneida County Tourism.
Just ask Babe’s at Harbor Point.
The Boilermaker is one of their two biggest weekends of the year.
“We’ll see a 30% increase across the weekend, and on Saturday, we’ll see a 60% bigger Saturday than we see all year long,” said Michael Lehr, vice president of marketing for Mohawk Valley Garden.
Numbers Oneida County Tourism pulled from Zartico, a service they pay for access to, show that Boilermaker weekend 2025, arts entertainment and attractions spending was up 87% over the prior month
The Utica Zoo enjoys the Boilermaker by bringing some of their animals down to the Parkway to say hi to the runners. Many of the runners will return the favor by visiting the zoo this weekend from all over.
“We get visitors from all over. We do collect zip codes, so we certainly know that people are coming from all over,” said Zoo Executive Director Andria Heath.
The numbers show the average out-of-towner stays about two and a half days.
The Zoo is more than ready to help them spend the time and the money, starting tonight.
“5 to 8 is the Sunset Sips, with live music, Shawn Smith, whole zoo open. Then at dusk, around 8, bring your lawn chair or your blanket, put the kids in their pajamas, and we’re showing the movie right up here in our courtyard,” said Heath.
Restaurant spending was up 29% on Boilermaker weekend 2025 over the prior month.
Babe’s offers free pasta dinner Saturday night to all runners with their race bibs. Many come with family who also need to eat.
And Babe’s staff is ready to help them strap on the feedbag, Utica style.
“It’s good to show them a lot of the local dishes, basically like the chicken riggies, greens, Utica Club beer, so our main objective here is to show off Utica’s food, basically, and drink,” said Assistant General Manager Jason Gotthard.
The Boilermaker is more than just a recurring one-time local economic shot in the arm. It’s a megadose of tourism dollars.