Minot was full of activity last weekend resulting in a large number of people staying at local hotels.

Stephanie Schoenrock, executive director of Visit Minot, the local convention and visitors bureau, said this past weekend Minot hotels had “80 percent occupancy, which is terrific.”

Schoenrock said this was the first time the local hotels have had an 80 percent occupancy since the fourth quarter of 2019.

The COVID-19 pandemic has had an impact on businesses and others during 2020 and into 2021.

Schoenrock said Minot has about 2,600 hotel rooms.

She said last weekend brought to Minot many people for a number of events including the Class B Girls State Basketball tournament.

“It was a good weekend for occupancy,” she said.

Coming up, she said events will include volleyball (Minot State University) and the Class B Boys State Basketball tournament.

Two of the major events ahead for the city will be the annual North Dakota State Fair in July and annual Norsk Hostfest in the fall. Both were canceled in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Schoenrock said the State Fair has already announced its entertainment lineup.

She said Norsk Hostfest officials are making plans for the event this year. The dates for the event are Sept. 30-Oct. 2.

She said there’s also a number of smaller events being planned in the city for this year.

“People are ready and hungry to have a little bit of fun,” she said.