Traffic slowly made its way out of Elkins Sunday afternoon after one of the busiest events of the year. Some entrepreneurs in the city even say the business generated by hundreds of antique cars the Mountain State Street Machines Auto Extravaganza is comparable to that of the Mountain State Forest Festival.

The American Mountain Theater experienced a 6 percent increase in business from last year's Fourth of July weekend shows, President and Producer Kenny Sexton said. Wednesday through Saturday the show's audience nearly doubled from its reservations early in the day to evening shows, evidence of last minute ticket sales, Sexton explained. Saturday night, the AMT's parking lot was filled with antique cars, which pleased Sexton.

The theater also included information about its shows in mailings sent to past car show participants before their arrival in town.

Just across the railyard from the AMT, the Durbin and Greenbrier Valley Railroad hosted around 550 passengers from Thursday to Sunday, said Amanda Swecker, group sales and reservations manager. This year's Independence Day weekend numbers were similar to last year, but down slightly, she said.

Sunday's excursion train ride carried several car owners, who were visiting the area for the events. Swecker added that many customers were also in town visiting family.

In 2008, the car show was rained out of Elkins City Park and instead set up along the downtown streets. After a successful weekend of sales, many merchants showed interest in hosting the event in downtown again.

Based on a survey sent to 600 car show participants, 191 responded and results estimated they spent $52,507 on lodging, food, gas, shopping and activities in the area, Elkins-Randolph County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Ellen Spears explained. The ERCCC estimated that all of those who displayed cars pumped an extra $150,000 into the local economy. That amount does not include the spending of those who were spectators at the car show.

Although the car show moved back to Elkins City Park this year - a decision that was made based on the survey results -the Friday night Cruise-In was once again hosted on the downtown streets.

Jay and Sandy Kissel, owners of the Kissel Stop, kept their business open until 8 p.m. Friday for the Cruise-In. Jay Kissel said the restaurant/coffee shop was busier this year than last Fourth of July weekend. The decision to have the Cruise-In in the city benefits downtown merchants, he added. While the Kissel Stop was open, Kissel said he saw many new faces during the evening of extended business hours. Events in the downtown area brings a positive energy and atmosphere, which Kissel compares to the Forest Festival.

Unexpected Treasures on Third Street also had a "great weekend," particularly Friday evening, according to owner Sally Yeager.

"You just can't imagine the foot traffic," Yeager said.

The establishment remained open until 8 p.m. Friday and on Saturday served customers until 4 p.m. Yeager said she enjoyed the car show being on the streets of Elkins in 2008 and that large events in downtown are always important to businesses.

Tina Mullenex, owner of Country Creations along Railroad Avenue, was also happy with business on Friday night. She had planned to close the store at 8 p.m., but had customers in the shop until 9:15 p.m. Staying open throughout the Cruise-In gave wives of car owners the chance to brouse merchandise, she said.

Drag racing at the Elkins-Randolph County Airport helped drive business at Applebee's during the holiday weekend. Manager Chris Allen said several antique cars were in the parking lot and events that took place south of the city limits typically boost the restaurant's sales.

The Hampton Inn on the Beverly Five-lane was booked throughout the weekend, a typical occurrence during the summer, according to manager Tiffany Hinzman. Most of the hotel's guests were from West Virginia, Maryland and Virginia and were in town for the car show, the AMT or the DGVRR.