In Search of a City: Jam Packed Weekend
Anyone in search of a city could find one during the weekend of November 1! On Friday, October 31, John McCain and Arnold Schwarzenegger held a rally at Nationwide Arena. Just up High Street, one could spot Sarah Palin - actually several Sarah Palins of various genders – at the Short North HighBall Halloween Masquerade.
Saturday was no less intense. The Blue Jackets hosted the Chicago Blackhawks at Nationwide Arena while the Short North hosted Gallery Hop. Columbus could have used light rail to move the 30,000 or so visitors in and out of the area.
Speaking of mass transit, many COTA buses were standing room only on Sunday when people descended on Capitol Square to hear Barack Obama. Seemingly, two or three bicycles were attached to every light post and street tree for many blocks around the Square.
The crowds made parking impossible, but nobody needed a car. All weekend, taxicabs cruised downtown, the Arena District, and Short North.
For three days, one could see the future of Columbus.
