Visitor services reports modest year‑to‑date growth and a busy Daffodil weekend; water contest canceled due to drought

Shanta, delivering the director’s report at the May 12 meeting of the Visitor Services Advisory Committee, said the office recorded 63,400 visitors from Jan. 1 through May 9, an increase of about 0.6% from the prior year.

“From January 1 to May 9, we saw 63,400 visitors,” Shanta said, and she highlighted Daffodil weekend as a notable spike: the office recorded 16,100 visitors over the weekend, which she said was up 29.3% from last year and up 84.6% from two years ago. Saturday alone brought roughly 11,900 visitors, with most arrivals via High Line or Steamship services.

Shanta previewed large upcoming events and programing: Juneteenth festivities on June 20 (a full day of activities with partners including the Chamber of Commerce, the Museum of African American History in Boston and Nantucket Historical Association), and Fourth of July plans tied to downtown and Children’s Beach activities. She also said the visitor‑services office awarded nearly $30,000 in cultural grants across 11 organizations this cycle.

Because Nantucket is in a drought designation this year, Shanta said the office will not run the traditional water contest for a second consecutive year and instead will offer other family activities such as a “touch‑a‑truck” event and bubble activities to keep programming child‑friendly without encouraging excess water use.

Committee members asked about drought messaging and outreach; Shanta said the town’s communications partners have circulated notices and that, if conditions worsen, the town will replicate last year’s targeted outreach model to contact short‑term rentals, laundromats and car washes directly.

Shanta closed by noting staffing and program preparations for summer, including an intern joining the office and hiring for Children’s Beach staff.