Dry weather ignites campground fervor

GRAND ISLAND, N.Y. (WIVB) - All summer, News 4 has reported on the devastating effects of the drought in our region. But some businesses are wrapping up better than usual seasons because of the lack of rain.

At Martin's Fantasy Island, many are people are out having fun, taking one last grasp at enjoying summer.

"The summer's been busy, but it's been wonderful. We've had some fun, we've had some work. And it's a beautiful day out," said park customer Joanne Lorenzo.

It's been a good summer not just for these park-goers, but for the amusement park itself.

"Across the country, most amusement parks have been down 10 or 15 percent, but we weren't. We were very fortunate this year. So it's been a good summer," said Martin's Fantasy Island marketing coordinator Ray Wigel.

Wigel says they haven't calculated totals, but believe attendance was up this year. He credits, in large part, the weather.

While much more watering was necessary for the park's landscaping, there were far fewer rainouts.

"Yeah, if it doesn't rain, a lot more people come out to the amusement park," Wigel noted.

And it's not just the amusement park reaping the benefits of a dry summer. At K.O.A. campground in Grand Island, they are doing 25 percewnt more business this year because of the warm weather and lack of rain.

"Oh it was awesome. We didn't have any rainouts at all this year. It was just wonderful. Other than it being brown and dry, but it was great," K.O.A. general manager Ginny Rader said.

Camper Danielle Johnson added, "We've been able to just travel. And we haven't had any nights we've had to go in because of rain. It's just been wonderful."

The drought caused campers this year to be more careful with campfires to prevent flames from spreading. And the Johnson family feels slightly guilty enjoying the drought. But still, this was a summer they sure enjoyed.