Religious Convention Returning to Evansville

The Ford Center is the home of the Evansville Thunderbolts.

The Jehovah’s Witness summer convention will return to Evansville for the 13th consecutive year. The event, which runs over two weekends beginning Friday, is expected have a $2.8 million local economic impact.

The convention runs Friday, June 10 through Sunday, June 12 and Friday, June 17 through Sunday, June 19 at the Ford Center in downtown Evansville. Organizers expect up to 12,000 visitors from throughout the Midwest to attend the convention over the two weekends. The Evansville Convention and Visitors Bureau says the event marks the largest religious group hosted by Evansville each year.

City leaders say residents should expect the downtown area to be congested during the attendees’ arrival and departure daily. The convention is free and open to the public.

Another big event recently committed to Evansville. The 2017 National Theatre On Ice Competition runs June 21-25 2017 at the Ford Center and Swonder Ice Arena. Organizers say that event could have a $3.5 million economic impact on the area and draw more than 4,500 visitors. The competition combines figure skating with theater and dance.