Tennis fans will be making their way to the greater Binghamton area this weekend. The Levene Gouldin and Thompson Tennis Challenger begins on Saturday. And as our Melissa Kakareka tells us, the annual event has a big impact on the Binghamton community.

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BINGHAMTON, N.Y.- The tents are up, the courts are ready, and the Levene Gouldin and Thompson Tennis Challenger is just days away from starting in Binghamton. The annual event allows people to see and meet some of the up and coming stars of the tennis world.

"A lot of these players will be at the U.S Open this year and be at national tournaments and you can see them from just a couple rows up, its really amazing, they are amazing athletes," said Binghamton Mayor Matt Ryan.

And it also brings in hundreds of extra people to Recreation Park and the Binghamton community.

"This tournament has gotten more and more popular and it brings people to our city," said Ryan.

"It brings in a lot more people that usually wouldn't come to the park on a general basis, so it does increase the carousel and the pool activity," said Anthony Paniccia, Recreation Park Lifeguard Manager.

Some businesses are even excited for this weekend. They said they see a slight increase in customers during the tournament.

"Of course it does. We have a steady customer base coming back year after year. There's a group of like 12 Canadians that identify themselves with the crepe, they see the name, its close, so it is good," said Sead Havziabbic, owner of Crepe Heaven.

"I think a lot of the players will seek out places to eat, the people that come to the area will seek out places to eat, all the events that happen at Rec Park help our local economy," said Ryan.

The tournament gives athletes, tennis fans, and community leaders something to look forward to this coming weekend. It begins Saturday, July 14 and continues through Sunday, July 22.