By KALEY CONNER

kconner@dailynews.net

When the Wild West Festival got its start 15 years ago, it was hoped the community event would serve as an economic development tool of sorts, helping to keep residents home for the holiday weekend.

In 2009, committee members and residents seem to agree the WWF has fulfilled its purpose. Nighttime concerts, carnival rides and other attractions lure thousands of people to Hays Municipal Park for five consecutive days.

"It's been a complete turnaround," said Hays Convention and Visitor's Bureau Director Jana Jordan. "In fact, now most people in town refuse to leave during Wild West Fest because they want to go to everything. That alone has helped the money drain we had years ago."

But it's not just locals looking for something fun to do on Independence Day. Jordan said the Hays Welcome Center sells tickets to individuals throughout the Midwest and beyond.

WWF committee members said they've met people who traveled from the East Coast to attend, and co-president Mary Karst said the event's Web site has hits from all 50 states.

In 1994, the city, which did not have a community fireworks show, realized a need to keep Hays residents closer to home.

"And now, instead of having families leave town, they stay in town. It brings families and friends into town," Karst said. "We know that we've got people coming from California, Las Vegas, New Mexico."

While attendance estimates will not be available until after the event, it's not unusual for the festival to draw between 7,000 and 10,000 guests.

And despite national economic woes, this year's event is expected to be another big one. The event features big-name talent such as Davy Jones, Tracy Lawrence and the Lost Trailers, as well as its fireworks display, but is able to keep ticket prices low -- thanks to the help of local business sponsors, Karst said.

Advance tickets, which are no longer available, sell for $12 each and provide admission to all of the event's activities. Even at the gate, tickets for individual concerts go for $15.

The idea is to keep the event affordable for all to attend, and with the economy possibly dampening vacation plans for some local families, it's hoped the festival will be residents' choice for summer fun.

Another factor that helps keep costs low is the 35 volunteers, who have been working hard all year in planning the big festival.

"If we had to pay to have all this (work) done, again, the ticket price would be $40, $50," co-president Bob Swift said.

The number of vendors is down slightly from last year, but it's hard to determine why that is, Swift said. However, community members have worked to provide entertainment in all facets.

As the years went by, community and merchant involvement continued to escalate, with special sales at The Mall and downtown Hays, and activities at the Ellis County Historical Society, Hays Arts Council and Sternberg Museum of Natural History.

Overall, the economic bottom line is difficult to gauge, Jordan said, noting motels, gas stations, stores, restaurants and grocery stores benefit from the extra crowd. In addition to buying the tickets, patrons likely are to purchase carnival tickets, snacks, souvenirs and other amenities.

"I wouldn't even be able to probably scratch the surface on it, because it is just clear across the board," Jordan said. "Everything from groceries to gas to retail shopping. ... It has just a tremendous impact on our community."