What A Crowd of 71,000 People Looks Like

The crowd on High Street inside the final circuit route in Jefferson City, about 4-5 blocks from the finish line.

Last week, we published the economic impact study for the 2009 Tour of Missouri, released almost two months behind schedule in response to a Sunshine request.  The report is still not posted on the Lt. Governor's official website, or on TourofMissouri.com, but you can read it all here.

The crowd and associated spending totals for Stage 4, which finished in Jefferson City, are generating a bit of chatter. The official Tour report states that 71,000 people watched the race in and around Jefferson City, spending $5,410,128 in the area. 

For comparative purposes, a gathering of 71,000 would be:

• 80% larger than the entire population of Jefferson City
• Bigger than any crowd at home Mizzou footbal game since 1978.  The seating capacity at Faurot Field/Memorial Stadium was lowered to 68,349 in 1995.
• Almost twice the average attendance for Cardinals' home game.  Busch Stadium's capacity is 46,861.
• More than 3.5 times the average attendance of Royals' home games.  Kauffman Stadium's capacity is 39,000.
• 40% larger than the estimated attendance for the day-long "Salute to America" festival that packs downtown Jefferson City on July 4.

A request for more information from IFM Sports on how the crowd estimates were created and vetted is pending – we'll update you when we know more.