NORWICH – It may only be March, but warmer temperatures and light breezes bring Chenango County’s popular summertime festivals to mind, and sure enough, volunteers are already meeting and planning entertainment and educational activities.

And, as usual, event organizers are making application for New York State matching funds. According to Chenango County Tourism Director Audrey Robinson, $32,000 of “I Love NY” funds are available for 2012. The amount is just shy of last year’s take.

The festivals that will apply for and most likely receive I Love New York matching funds are: the 50th Annual General Clinton Canoe Regatta; the Afton Fair; the Chenango County Fair; the Chenango Blues Festival; and Colorscape Chenango. (See sidebar.) Various performances and educational programs at the Chenango County Council of the Arts, The Earlville Opera House and Six-on-the-Square in Oxford also receive financial support through the state matching funds program.

Robinson was scheduled to deliver her annual tourism report to county supervisors today. Using expenditures from 2010 (numbers aren’t available until the following year), the presentation will highlight that tourism is big business in Chenango County. Expenditures for 2010 were as follows:

• Lodging: $1,441,000

• Recreation: $603,000

• Food & Beverage: $5,560,000

• Retail & Service: $3,028,000