Bill Trentel wrote:Thanks for sharing your neighborhood. Next week is my neighborhoods turn with the arts festival.
I can wait till next year!
Bill
Bill
I just love this post!
As I walked the area for the weeks leading up to the event, which is my neighborhood. Residents and
businesses were are talking and excited about this event. Some had slightly unrealistic views of the first
event, but they were all behind it and looking forward to it.
The afternoon of the event, as 1pm drew near some felt disaster, as they might have over bought and
undersold. The West End Tavern located on the West Side of Lakewood went out and bought hundreds of
cow bells for patrons to ring as the bikers went through. Parnell one of the owners has seen the excitement
the and the massive crowds that turn out for the Columbus races and wanted to be ready. Of course Parnell
realized that this was a first year event and that the Columbus race has been going on for 10 years + and
that it takes time to build an event. Or as Parnell said, "That's why I did not put a date on it, I can give them away next year too!"
But as the afternoon wore on the crowds, and people lining the streets grew. While it was nowhere
near the ten deep like in Columbus, you could tell by the people there, and the businesses that got behind it
this year, EVERYONE was already looking towards next year's event. At one of the parties I stopped by the
conversation went from "We should put a team together" and perhaps they will, there were 10 bikes on the
front lawn, and at least two members of the party had raced before to figuring out what home brew to make
for the party next year.
By the end of the day the few businesses that were still complaining about losing business, were receptive to
the very thing you said. Sooner or later we are all called on to take one for the team. And if it is an event and
brand builder like the Criterium, then it was not done without gain for all.
What I do hope is that that all are working on next year right now. Because it will be bigger and better that
we all know.
Me personally, I would of liked a light sprinkle. It would have been amazing watching them go through the
Sloan Clifton turn in the wet!!!
Yeah Bill, great post for a great event.
Damn I love this city, and its residents, businesses and volunteers!
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