Forks ponders what dawn will break after Twilight hype wanes

FORKS -- What happens after Twilight?

The concern over the possibility of a dwindling of the phenomenon -- and its tourist revenue -- dominated a question-and-answer hour with Mayor Bryon Monohon at the Forks Chamber of Commerce meeting Wednesday.

Several of the some 25 people at the meeting questioned whether Monohon and the city were bracing for the inevitable decrease in tourism after the hype over the teen novels is over.

Since 2007, tens of thousands of fans have visited Forks to view the setting of the four novels by Stephenie Meyer -- Twilight, New Moon, Eclipse and Breaking Dawn.

The books were subsequently made into blockbuster movies, creating even more buzz over the rainy town.

With visitation down by about 7 percent in November and December last year, the town is contemplating what the future holds, Monohon said.

Dropped numbers back

"This year when we were budgeting, we dropped the numbers back to 2008 numbers for sales tax," Monohon said.

"All we can do is monitor it and be aware that it won't last forever," Monohon said.

In 2008 and 2009, Forks received about $340,000 in sales tax.

Overall, the town gained about $450,000 in sales tax in 2010 -- with the summer months racking up the biggest numbers in the history of the city, Monohon said.
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