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While the vast majority (99.2 percent) reported that attending the youth hockey tournament was the primary purpose of the trip, many tournament attendees reported that they did participate in other activities while in the area (Figure 4). Many (38.9 percent) reported that they went sightseeing in the area three in four (75.8 percent) stated that they went shopping while in the area, either for specific items that they needed or for souvenirs of their visit to the area and participation in the tournament. Smaller percentages reported visiting friends and family and a handful conducted business while in the area. One individual said they enjoyed visiting their daughter at U.W. La Crosse while others commented on the great scenery, great shopping and great restaurants. Figure 4 Uses of Trip Percent Responding "Yes" do 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% Source: University of Wisconsin Mederon/Extension Because of the design of youth hockey tournaments, it is difficult for teams from outside the local area to travel to and from the tournament daily. Based on the respondents to the survey, only 3.5 percent did not stay overnight for at least one night (Figure 5). Less than half (41.0 percent) stayed one night in the area while slightly more than half (53.4 percent) stayed two nights. Only a small handful (2.2 percent) stayed three nights in the area. One respondent stated: "if we would have known how nice your facility and community is we would have come earlier and spend an extra day." Another individual commented 'The friendliness of everyone, everywhere that includes the people running the tournament, the lodge manager and definitely Marty the Butcher at Festival." Figure 5 Distribution of Number of Nights Stayed One Night Source: University of Wlscansin-MadisoMExtension Partially because of the scheduling of specific games in the tournament, many travel to the tournament late Friday or very early Saturday morning and return Sunday afternoon or early evening. While some elect to stay at the ice -rink for a significant part of the tournament, many take advantage of being in the area to go sightseeing, visiting friends and relatives and/or go shopping (Figure 6). To assess the economic impact of youth hockey tournaments on the local economy, special attention is paid to the spending patterns of tournament participants. A total of eight commodity groups were identified for the purpose of soliciting expenditure patterns of tournament participants: accommodations; restaurants; grocery stores; apparel; gasoline and service stations; miscellaneous retail; movies and other entertainment; and a general other category. Each tournament participant within the sample was asked to estimate how much their