JOHNSTOWN, Pa. (WJAC) -- More than 3,000 people were in Johnstown this weekend for the annual Jehovah’s Witnesses convention.
It's a time of fellowship for many, but it also has a big impact on the local economy.
It's the sixth year of the convention at the first summit arena at the Cambria County War Memorial.
People from Ohio, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia joined together for the Jehovah’s Witnesses convention.
While those inside benefit spiritually, local businesses also benefit financially.
"We're really excited to have the Jehovah Witnesses Convention back for the sixth year in a row,” said Melissa Radovanic, director of marketing and community relations for Crown American Associates. “They fill all the hotels in the greater Johnstown community and bring a huge influx of business to Cambria County."
This is William and Ann Rivera’s first time in Johnstown, in from Hedgesville, West Virginia.
"We are staying. We've been dining in the area and we actually like it,” William Rivera said, “It's beautiful here. Never been here before and we love it."
It's their first time in Johnstown, but not their first time at a Jehovah’s Witnesses convention.
"It's just very encouraging to share with all of our brothers and sisters,” William Rivera said. “It's very spiritually uplifting and it just gives us encouragement to deal with the everyday matters of life."
Media services spokesman Donald Baker says everyone enjoys the small town feel and getting together for fellowship.
"We're taught from the bible, as is the theme is, ‘Be courageous!’” Baker said. “We're looking forward to being able to take what we have from this convention and go home with it and use it in our own lives."
Baker says the convention is free and run by volunteers. It's just one of many events bringing thousands of people into Johnstown.
"Generally at the end of May, the tourism season kicks up and that means recreational tourism, but also it means convention tourism, and this example of the Jehovah's Witnesses, three weeks in a row of them being here, is wonderful,” Radovanic said.
The convention continues June 15-17 and June 29-July 1. The program begins each day at 9:20 a.m. and concludes at 4:50 p.m. Sunday concludes at 3:50 p.m.
For a complete program please visit: https://www.jw.org/en/publications/books/convention-program-2018/.
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