Excitement on the Circle
Heart of the city will be beating during Final Four weekend
Anticipating a turnout of at least 100,000 fans, organizers of the NCAA's Final Four weekend are planning one very big party.
Actually, there'll be a bunch of parties -- some private, some public -- musical acts and pep rallies during the three-day weekend, March 31 to April 2, all centered on Monument Circle.
The idea is to turn Indianapolis' famous Circle into a smaller version of the nation's most famous square.
"The vision of the NCAA is to have a Times Square effect at the epicenter of Monument Circle," said Vince Thompson, chief executive of Creative Presence Partners, an Atlanta-based event planning firm working with Coca-Cola, sponsor of the Final Four festivities.
Aside from college hoops, the biggest draws: John Mellencamp, Carrie Underwood from "American Idol" and a stage setup that promises the latest in high-tech lighting and sound.
The crowds won't match the 750,000 who jam New York's Times Square for New Year's Eve. But those who attend will enjoy a similar mix of bright lights, video boards, live music and tent parties.
That all sounds good to Jim Canull, Carmel, a 1965 University of North Carolina graduate who heads up the local Tar Heels fan club.
He doesn't have tickets to any of the games, but he plans to join the party anyway.
"Oh yeah, just to experience what is going on," Canull said. "This is a time when a lot of people are taking off for Florida. Knowing that the Final Four is here, I elected to pass on the vacation so I could stay around and experience this."
How will this scene compare with other big-ticket events Downtown?
On the Friday after Thanksgiving every year, when the city lights up Monument Circle, about 100,000 people jam onto the Circle and along its four "spokes."
On Final Four weekend, crowds are expected to fill the Circle and three of the four spokes (the north side will be closed for security), as well as Meridian Street for several blocks south and Market Street both east and west, event planners said.
Exactly how many people?
Some predict more than 100,000 on Sunday alone. But when you consider three days of attractions and related activities -- such as the popular fan attraction Hoop City at the Convention Center -- the weekend attendance might top 250,000.
"I would put this event right up there with the tree-lighting and (IPL 500 Festival Parade)" in May, said Bob Schultz, spokesman for the Indianapolis Convention and Visitors Association.
And a lot of it will be absolutely free.
A 50-foot-wide concert stage will be set 30 feet above the ground and include at least three giant video screens. Several other screens will be placed around the Circle, including two, facing east and west, inside the monument's fountains, which will be emptied.
Additional video panels -- at least 11 in all -- will be placed along the streets leading away from the stage so that more in the crowd can watch whatever is under way onstage.
"It's going to be like landing a spaceship on Monument Circle," said David Knopp, a sponsorship director for the NCAA.
Setup will begin next weekend. Video boards will be turned on the morning of March 31, and the party will last for three days.
Given the size of the crowds, organizers expect congestion for several blocks south, east and west of the city's epicenter.
Indianapolis officials are working on plans to handle traffic and parking issues. Their basic advice: Plan to park a few blocks away from the Circle, and don't count on being able to drive through Downtown to find a better spot.
The extra traffic is not necessarily a negative in some minds.
"It's an excitement that is a whole new level for us," said Julia Watson, vice president of marketing for Indianapolis Downtown Inc., which tracks more than 2,500 Downtown events and conventions each year.
"I think it really enhances the whole Final Four experience, whether you have a ticket to the games or not."
Indeed, all eyes will be on Indianapolis as the top four NCAA men's basketball teams battle for a national championship at the RCA Dome, bringing in a guaranteed 40,000-plus ticket-holders and the requisite media horde.
"I love the whole 'epicenter' and Times Square vibe," Schultz said. "It's time for Indy to shine with the big boys and for our perception to catch up to our reality."
TOP CROWDS
At least 100,000 people are expected at Final Four weekend events. That would make it one of the biggest draws in Downtown Indianapolis:
Labor Day SkyConcert: 400,000.
July 4 fireworks: 250,000.
Indy 500 Parade: 250,000.
Circle of Lights: 100,000.
Circle City Classic: 80,000.
• Sources: Event planners, Star research
FINAL FOUR FUN
• NCAA Hall of Champions -- 100 Years, 100 Hours. The hall will be open 100 consecutive hours with special activities. Cost: Adults $3, students $2. Information: www.NCAAhallofchampions.org or call (317) 916-HALL (916-4255).
• NCAA Hoop City -- A four-day interactive fan festival at the Indiana Convention Center. Cost: $7 (12 and older); $5 (ages 3-11, college students, adults 55 and older and military); free (2 and younger). Info: www.Hoop-City.com.
• Final Four Friday -- Team practices at the RCA Dome from noon to 4 p.m. March 31. Gates open at 10:30 a.m. Cost: Free.
• NABC College All-Star Game -- Current all-stars battle the Harlem Globetrotters at Conseco Fieldhouse, 7:30 p.m. March 31. Tickets: Can be obtained through Ticketmaster. Info:
www.indianasportscorp.com/finalfour.
• YES Clinics -- Kids get lessons on hoops from college coaches and athletes at various locations across the city, 8 a.m. to noon April 1. Locations: Butler University, University of Indianapolis, Municipal Gardens Park and Washington Park. Cost: Free. Kids must be 10-18 years old and preregistered. Info: www.YESclinics.org.
• Circle City Dribble -- More than 3,000 fans will dribble basketballs from White River State Park to Hoop City beginning at 12:30 p.m. April 2. Cost: Free. Info: www.indianasportscorp.com/finalfour.
Source: Indiana Sports Corp.
A PLANNER FOR FINAL FOUR EVENTS ON THE CIRCLE
Here's a breakdown of Final Four weekend events at Monument Circle. All events are free.
Friday
Incoming NCAA fans will get a taste of the atmosphere as the giant video boards are turned on. Vendors will sell food and beverages from 3 to 10 p.m.
Saturday
They're calling it "The Big Dance," and it will be part concert and part pep rally. Nick Lachey will host.
From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., musical acts will include The BoDeans, Hoobastank, the Virgin Millionaires and country singer Steve Holy.
At 3 p.m., the Circle shifts into "The World's Largest Pep Rally" featuring cheerleaders, pep bands, mascots and special guests from each of the Final Four teams.
Both games Saturday night will be shown live on the giant video boards around the Circle.
Sunday
John Mellencamp will headline a daylong concert with an evening performance. But the beat starts popping around 2 p.m. American Idol's Carrie Underwood will be joined by Collective Soul, Michelle Branch and young R&B star Chris Brown to warm up the crowd.
Source: Final Four planners> |
0 comments:
Post a Comment