Opening Day

There was no better place to be this past Saturday than Huntington Park . The new park, the new affiliation with the Cleveland Indians and a day of celebration had Columbus coming out in masses.

The park itself is beautiful and when you look around, you are consumed by Clippers baseball history. There are old pennants from when they were the Columbus Red Birds and bats from the former affiliation with the Yankees. There are quotes and banners all around the park that would take all day to read, so if you’re going to catch a game, arrive early to catch up on history.

Even though Huntington Park is a new stadium, you will see familiar landmarks from other stadiums across the nation. There are open-air bleachers on the Left Field Building roof that are reminiscent of Wrigley Park. The wall in right field is slightly higher than the rest of the outfield, a nod to the "Green Monster" at Fenway Park. There is even lawn seating where you can lay on a blanket to watch the game, similar to PETCO Park’s Park at the Park.

Wherever your ticket may be, there isn’t a bad seat in the house. I had a standing room ticket and parked myself at the huge drink railing that goes around the entire park. There are plenty of spots to hang out and watch the game if you don’t have a seat or if you prefer not to sit the entire time. I also checked out the huge 100+ foot bar in the Left Field Building prior to the game to catch up on other sports scores and stay in the shade for a bit.

Even though the Clippers lost the game, it was still a great time. The Columbus Clippers are downtown and they are here to stay.

Photo: Columbus Clippers

Saturday is going to be a memorable day in Columbus’ history with the opening of Huntington Park . When the Clippers take the field, they will be doing so under the affiliation of one of Ohio’s most historic and beloved sports franchises, the Cleveland Indians.

Also on Saturday, the Blue Jackets take on the Red Wings in the second game of the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs from Detroit (there’s a viewing party at the Arena Grand ), and Fleetwood Mac will perform live at Nationwide Arena .

With so much happening in the Arena District on Saturday, it might be helpful to have a rundown of events and tips for getting around:

Noon
Clippers standing room only seats go on sale at the Center Field entrance of Huntington Park, located at the corner of Nationwide Boulevard and Neil Avenue. There’s a limit of 4 tickets per purchase.

1:15 p.m.
Opening Day Parade begins at High Street and Nationwide Boulevard and will make its way west to Huntington Park. The parade will feature more than 50 participants, including former Cleveland Indians Bob Feller, Len Barker and Joe Charboneau and several ex-Clippers. Former Franklin County Commissioner and minor league baseball executive Harold Cooper will be grand marshal of the parade.

2:15 p.m.
Ribbon cutting ceremony and unveiling of Harold Cooper statue at the Center Field entrance. After the ceremony, Franklin County Commissioners will officially open the ballpark to the public and Party-at-the-Park begins featuring the Danger Brothers .

4:05 p.m.
First pitch at Huntington Park is thrown out and a new era in Clippers baseball begins.

6:00 p.m.
Blue Jackets vs. Red Wings in Game 2 of the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs in Detroit. The Arena Grand Theatre is hosting the official viewing party and admission is free.

7:00 p.m.
Doors open at Nationwide Arena for Fleetwood Mac in concert .

Parking in the Arena District is only $3 for Clippers Games; a parking map and directions are available here . If traveling from out of town, there are still hotel rooms available within walking distance of the Arena District; click here to book a room.

The Experience Columbus Visitor Center will be open from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Saturday. Stop by and see Ben for info about more fun things to do or where to grab a bite to eat.

The beginning of the Columbus Clippers 2009 baseball season on April 9 in Louisville is truly historic time for Columbus sports. We’re looking forward to many years of success, and interest in the brand new Huntington Park is at an all time high.

For that reason, Experience Columbus , the Greater Columbus Sports Commission and the Columbus Clippers are hosting a special opening day eve reception.

When : Wednesday, April 8 from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Where : Experience Columbus Visitor Center , 277 W. Nationwide Blvd.

Meet and greet with players and management during an autograph session, get your hands on the latest Clippers gear featuring the team’s new logo, and hang out with team mascots LouSeal and Krash .

Free pizza and pop will be provided courtesy of Donatos and Pepsi, and you will also be able to purchase single game and season tickets on-site.

Hope to see you there!

If you don’t consider yourself a horse enthusiast, you might not be aware of Equine Affaire .

On the other hand, if you are a horse lover, you might already be planning to attend this annual Columbus event coming to the Ohio Expo Center , April 2 - 5.

Either way, the event is worth checking out, especially this year as a number of new events have been added that will appeal to horse enthusiasts and general animal-lovers alike.

Along with stellar equine education (the event features hours of clinics, seminars and demonstrations on topics relevant to horse people), other old favorites are back this year.

First, there is the shopping! The event features the largest horse-related trade show in North America with exhibitors to meet all equine and equestrian needs.

Also back this year is the nightly entertainment of the Pfizer Fantasia . This "musical celebration of the horse" requires a separate ticket, but it is great family entertainment. Fantasia is an impressive lineup of professional equestrian performers set to music - think people doing stunts on horses, horses doing interesting choreography and lots of acts that make you wonder how the horse and the rider do that.

I attended Pfizer Fantasia last year, and while not a horse person, really enjoyed the artistry of the night. If you go, I recommend arriving early so you can have dinner on the grounds. A variety of fair type food (yes, there are French fries with vinegar and cream puffs) is served, along with beer, wine and alcohol.

New this year is the Canine Affaire , a program of clinics and demonstrations on general dog training. You’ll be able to learn useful training tips and there are number of vendors who will be specializing in canine gear. One word of warning: plan on attending, but leave your furry best friend at home. Only guide animals and invited horses are allowed on the grounds.

To learn more about all that will be happening at Equine Affair, check out their Web site .

Columbus Blue Jackets’ Rick Nash

After Saturday night’s historic win over Detroit, the Columbus Blue Jackets have inched closer to securing a playoff spot for the first time in franchise history.

But why wait for the playoffs? The remaining home games on the schedule are playoff-like in atmosphere and importance - teams in the Western Conference playoff race are only separated by a few points and every game counts.

Columbus had been waiting for nine years to see playoff hockey at Nationwide Arena . This year’s attendance is up over last year, averaging over 15,151 per game, and the team recently announced commitments to keep ticket pricing affordable as a way to thank fans for their support.

Upcoming home games include:

March 10 (tonight!) against Boston

March 12 against Pittsburgh

March 15 against Detroit

March 18 against Chicago

And here are some package options to save money, get great seats and still see the Jackets before the hoped-for playoff run begins.

Jackets Night Out
Two tickets for a Tuesday or Wednesday game, two 24 oz. draft beers and two Donatos pizzas for just $60.

All You Can Eat Package
A ticket to the exclusive AAA Sky Terrace and an All You Can Eat buffet of hot dogs, chicken strips, popcorn, peanuts, Pepsi products and more for just $39.

Ticketmaster’s ticketexchange
The opportunity to purchase tickets from season ticket holders unable to use their premium seating.

More promotions and discounted ticket pricing can be found here.

It’s Jackets time, Columbus! The question is…will you Carry the Flag ?

Photo: Randall Lee Schieber

One of the strongest weekends in Columbus is right around the corner. It’s time again for the Arnold Sports Festival , taking place March 6–8.

Named after Arnold Schwarzenegger (who won the Mr. World competition in Columbus in 1970), the event has evolved over 21 years to encompass more than 35 events including 11 recognized Olympic sports.

While many people think first of the Annual Arnold Classic (the professional bodybuilding competition), this is really only one component of the three-day event. Here are some tips for enjoying the complete ASF experience:

• Arrive early and don’t plan on parking at the Greater Columbus Convention Center. The Arnold Sports Festival takes place in four venues (the convention center, Veteran’s Memorial, Nationwide Arena and the Lausche Building at the Ohio Expo Center). So why pigeon hole yourself into just one? I recommend parking at the City Center garage and taking the free shuttle to the downtown venues.

• Take a look at the schedule to determine in advance what events you want to check out. Be adventurous here! Think of table tennis as something you do in your basement? Then take a look at the level of competition in the Terrace ballrooms at the convention center on Friday and Saturday. Also not to be missed are the various martial arts sports throughout the weekend. On Sunday morning there is a new event to discover: a racewalking competition .

• Know what ticket you have. Generally, the $10 Expo Ticket provides admission to most daytime events for one day of the festival. Check the schedule for ticketing information, too.

• Leave plenty of time to visit the booths at the Arnold Expo . The show floor gets crowded with thousands of sports enthusiasts discovering the latest in sports nutrition and fashion. There is also a stage in the back of the Expo hall that features various entertainment including bench press competitions, a fashion show and even an Irish dance demonstration. Various Strongman contests also take place on the Expo stage, so if you’ve been itching to see a really large man lift Hummer tires, here’s your chance.

• If you’re still pumped up by Saturday night, consider Party with the Pros at the LC Pavilion. It promises to be an entertaining event with several different bands performing and is the only official ASF after party.

Take these tips and enjoy this once-a-year Columbus experience. Whether you’re a fitness enthusiast, a weekend warrior or even a couch potato, there is something for you to check out at the Arnold Sports Festival.

Do you have your own ASF tip to share?

Schiller Park in German Village
Photo by Larry Hamill

As extreme cold grips much of the country, I started to wonder how I might want to spend this upcoming weekend in Columbus.

So I turned to two groups who know and love this place - the Experience Columbus staff and our Twitter pals. I received no shortage of suggestions.

Here’s what some of the Experience Columbus crew had to say when asked their favorite things to do during a (really) cold weekend in Columbus:

Ben Walters : I like to head to a favorite watering hole like Tip-Top , Betty’s , or Bodega to get a nip and some good food with some good friends. It’s social and warming. Another favorite option is to find a indoor concert, preferably at small venues like Ruby Tuesday, Carabar or Rumba Cafe.

Nicole Massenelli : When it is cold I love to meet friends for a hot drink at Cup O’ Joe or grab a bite at Panera because both places have fireplaces. I love to sit by the fire in comfy clothes and enjoy great food and drinks with friends.

Scott Peacock : When it gets really cold outside I like to go to grab some good comfort food at Tasi , get a coffee to go and then head to the Wexner Center for the Arts or the Columbus Museum of Art to see the latest exhibits inside.

Claudia Plumley : Like Nicole, I head to Cup O’ Joe . We get a big latte and sit around the fire. Then we head to the movies to see an Oscar contender.

Kelly Brooks : This may seem counter intuitive, but when it’s cold outside I like to go to a Blue Jackets game. Not only does winter weather set the mood for hockey, but at tonight’s game I will be almost comforted to know that it is actually warmer inside Nationwide Arena than it is outside!

Amy Gatto Klein : Vino Vino in Grandview. The coziness of the space, a bottle of Pinot Noir (before I was pregnant, anyway) and small plates of yummy food warm me right up.

Cathe Moog : When it’s cold outside, our family likes to go to the North Market for lunch. We select entrees with a spicy kick to warm us up.

And what did the Twitter pals have to say? I was surprised to find three in particular who laugh in the face of the cold. They reminded me that being outside during this time of year has its advantages:

Betty B : Hiking at a Metro Park . It postpones the winter blues.

Jeff Johnson : Being in any city park because I have it all to myself when it’s this cold.

Andrew Miller : I’ll be the third person to say that this is the perfect time for a stroll. Plenty of alone time plus beautiful snowy scenes.

I’d say this is proof positive that there are more than enough reasons not to camp out at home during the winter.

What gets you out and about when it’s cold in Columbus?

After a week of rumors, it’s official: U.S. Soccer has selected Crew Stadium to host the U.S. Men’s National Team’s rival Mexico on Feb. 11.

The match in Columbus is the first of five final round qualifiers for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. The U.S. team has enjoyed success at Crew Stadium in the past, winning qualifiers in 2001 and 2005.

More on the story is available here , including this quote from U.S. head coach Bob Bradley:

"We are very excited about returning to Columbus. The national team has enjoyed a great history there, and the team has always appreciated the fantastic support from the fans. We are looking forward to an incredible atmosphere as we continue the difficult task of qualifying for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa."

This game, expected to be a sell-out, has found a great home in the number one sports town in the U.S . I’m looking forward to Columbus’ opportunity to share our seats and our city with fans from across the country and the globe.

Like art? How about sports? Want to do something a little different this weekend? If you said yes at least once, here are two events to check out. They’re both in Grandview Heights (just a hop from downtown), they’re both this weekend, and they’re both sure to be a unique experience:

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C-Note Art Show

Feel free to fall in love with the artwork here – every piece is only $100. Over 150 independent Columbus artists will be showcasing nearly 600 pieces of artwork. You’ll find every imaginable style of art – ceramics, paintings, jewelry, photography and woodwork will all be available.

• Preview Dec. 12, Show Dec. 13 at Junctionview Studios.
• Visit the C-Note site for complete schedule and admission info.

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Skatemare Before Christmas II , presented by the Ohio Roller Girls

The Ohio Roller Girls is Columbus’ first and only all-female roller derby league. At the Skatemare Before Christmas II , you can cheer the ladies on during a derby style “gift exchange” (read: a few good hits and bruises given on the derby track). Dress warm and bring a chair.

• Dec. 13 at Central Ohio Roller Hockey . Doors open at 3:30 p.m., game starts at 4:30 p.m.
• Tickets: $5 with canned good donation. $6 regular admission.

Crowd at the Crew Rally

Last night I attended a rally for the Columbus Crew at Easton Town Center . It was a great event with all players, coaching staff, Crewzers and Crew Cat in attendance.

There were a few hundred Crew faithful in attendance, from youth soccer teams to The Crew Supporters Union to suits and everything in-between. The event was to celebrate the Crew’s run into the playoffs and to encourage everyone to get tickets for Saturday night’s match up against Kansas City in Crew Stadium. The Crew displayed the MLS Supporters Shield and honored defender Chad Marshall for being named the 2008 Visa Defender of the Year .

Gino Padula and William Hesmer

One thing that I have always loved about professional soccer players in America, and the Crew is no exception, is their approachability. There was no formal autograph line with people ushering you through in turnstile fashion; instead the players and their families mixed and mingled with the crowd. Some stood on stage, some walked the crowd and others sat on the edge and let fans grab a seat next to them to chat for a few. Although professional athletes, these players appreciate their chance in the big league and know that there are many eager to take their spots.

Let’s hope fans and players alike can ride the wave into a victory Saturday night .