August 5, 200915 yr Some friends of mine went but by the time i got downtown they were already leaving to go to west 6th (psycho ex g/f wouldnt let me leave the going away party i was at). I got off the highway at 9th and route 2 and the entire plaza in front of the Rock Hall was PACKED with people. Also there were a lot of people just hanging out on 9th and the park at 9th and Lakeside. My friends all said it was a fun time and that there was a lot of people there. Unfortunately they didnt get any pictures, but everything they said about the event was good.
August 5, 200915 yr Yes the turnout was impressive. I was hearing at least 4,000 to 5,000. They say possibly 7,000 in Spangle. By all accounts it was an impressive evening for Cleveland
August 5, 200915 yr I was hearing at least 4,000 to 5,000. They say possibly 7,000 in Spangle. With the crowd I saw that doesnt surprise me.
August 6, 200915 yr hey, that's awesome the cleve is a finalist for something like this...or should i say, that's fabulous? heh. d/c or boreston? no chance!
August 6, 200915 yr The Rock Hall said it was the largest event they had held, either ever or in recent memory, and that they're going to it'll be the gold standard for all such events in the future. The turnout was AMAZING, with an incredibly diverse crowd (not just LGBT), an absolutely beautiful night, and hopefully an impressed selection committee.
August 12, 200915 yr I just wanted to give everyone an update on the site selection visits. The selection committee spent this past weekend in DC, and the DC committee held their community event Monday evening. They help a pep rally in a softball field behind 17th street, followed by an outdoor showing of “Hairspray”. I arrived at 7:30 :wink2: since that was when all the material said it started (yet it started at 7:00?) Granted it was warm, although not as muggy as I thought it might be, there didn’t seem to be much more than 400 in attendance (we counted). Yet they kept saying 1,000 to 1,200. Needless to say the field looked very empty! Apparently I missed the mayor saying some things and some lesbian drummers performing. When I got there it was simply the DC organizer and a man from a local news channel, talking about why DC was going to land this and how much DC supported it (not evident by the crowd). They were also pleading with those in attendance to call and donate (they had a handy screen displaying numbers to call to donate different amounts), sort of like a telethon. I was a bit embarrassed for them, considering what Cleveland did. The topper was when they announced “and something you’ve been waiting for”, 3 male cheerleaders came up and did a cheer….? Rather haphazardly at that... It was pathetic and resembled a poorly put together high school pep rally. They were to show the movie at this point, but I was laughing too hard and had to leave. I don’t imagine many people stayed. I believe Boston did a similar pep rally. I can say with confidence that Cleveland blew them out of the water!! :clap: From the blade: (The local gay paper) http://www.washblade.com/thelatest/thelatest.cfm?blog_id=26696 Brent Minor, chair of the D.C. Gay Games Bid Committee, and Micone each said they believed the turnout at the rally was good, given that the day was the hottest of the year, with temperatures in the upper 90s amid oppressive humidity. Others, however, noted that the turnout for the D.C. rally was smaller than what had been hoped for and far smaller than the rally last week in Cleveland, where organizers said the attendance was about 7,000 on the grounds of Cleveland’s Rock & Roll Museum and Hall of Fame. Schaaff vouched for the 7,000 figure. “They counted them. I was there. Everyone in the city showed up, I think,” he told the Blade. A spokesperson for the Rock & Roll Museum and Hall of Fame could not be immediately reached for comment on the rally attendance. But Gregory McCarthy, vice president for governmental and municipal affairs for the Washington Nationals, said he believes Washington has far more to offer than the two competing cities. NOT!
August 12, 200915 yr Thanks for the update. Hopefully, there will be no prejudgmental biases against us. Great to hear we've had the best support so far.
August 12, 200915 yr I also wanted to mention that DC did have reps (spy's) in Cleveland for their weekend and event and were apparently sending back messages "is it too late to.....". Also I thought it was cool that when the committee was visiting in Akron (they would use Firestone for Golf etc) that Chrissie Hines showed up to show her support for the area to the committee. At a dinner for the committee at the Cleveland Renaissance Saturday, the City of St Louis had reps there to show support for the city of Cleveland's bid. (not quite sure why), but nice.
August 12, 200915 yr I also wanted to mention that DC did have reps (spy's) in Cleveland for their weekend and event and were apparently sending back messages "is it too late to.....". Also I thought it was cool that when the committee was visiting in Akron (they would use Firestone for Golf etc) that Chrissie Hines showed up to show her support for the area to the committee. At a dinner for the committee at the Cleveland Renaissance Saturday, the City of St Louis had reps there to show support for the city of Cleveland's bid. (not quite sure why), but nice. Cause people from St. Louis are cool 8-) In all seriousness, though, Cleveland and St. Louis are so incredibly similar that I'm not surprised the 'Lou is backing us.
August 12, 200915 yr It will be interesting to see how this shapes up. I wonder how much sway the site visits will play, as all members of the Assembly worldwide get a vote, following presentations from the finalist cities at the annual meeting in Cologne (at the end of September). Good luck, Cleve! I'm already fantasizing about the pretty boy invasion in 2014. Oh and tax revenue and positive spin, too. Haha.
August 13, 200915 yr It will be interesting to see how this shapes up. I wonder how much sway the site visits will play, as all members of the Assembly worldwide get a vote, following presentations from the finalist cities at the annual meeting in Cologne (at the end of September). Good luck, Cleve! I'm already fantasizing about the pretty boy invasion in 2014. Oh and tax revenue and positive spin, too. Haha. well we'd need to get some retail in the city (channelling 327) first and foremost downtown. You know how the Queens love to shop and if they have to get in a car and drive to Beechwood for Cleveland's best shopping, the Queens will be vicious in their reviews. Secondly, if we dont build/convert hotels, it wont go our way. We don't have a large enough variety of properties to stay in. Hotels have always been our Achilles heel.
August 13, 200915 yr Secondly, if we dont build/convert hotels, it wont go our way. We don't have a large enough variety of properties to stay in. Hotels have always been our Achilles heel. This was my main concern. Too bad currently we cant even confirm that we have several in the works that will be open by 2014, as we could have said last year.
August 13, 200915 yr well we'd need to get some retail in the city (channelling 327) . step away from the keyboard
August 13, 200915 yr well we'd need to get some retail in the city (channelling 327) . step away from the keyboard I know...
September 15, 200915 yr Since the Gay Games thread is gone for scrubbing, I figure this is the next best place to post this info: Tonight the Cleveland City Council approved a $700,000 grant from the UDAG repayment fund to benefit the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission's bid for the 2014 Gay Games. Site decision is due later this month. See the daily rag for the full story.
September 15, 200915 yr Since the Gay Games thread is gone for scrubbing, I figure this is the next best place to post this info: Tonight the Cleveland City Council approved a $700,000 grant from the UDAG repayment fund to benefit the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission's bid for the 2014 Gay Games. Site decision is due later this month. See the daily rag for the full story. honey how about a link?
September 15, 200915 yr Since the Gay Games thread is gone for scrubbing, I figure this is the next best place to post this info: Tonight the Cleveland City Council approved a $700,000 grant from the UDAG repayment fund to benefit the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission's bid for the 2014 Gay Games. Site decision is due later this month. See the daily rag for the full story. honey how about a link? There was a story on cleveland.com, then it disappeared by the time I went to post, now it's been edited and reposted at 7:14 am: http://www.cleveland.com/cityhall/index.ssf/2009/09/cleveland_officials_hoping_to.html
September 18, 200915 yr Effort to attract 2014 Gay Games to Cleveland showcases the teamwork the city can achieve when stature and dollars are on the line -- editorial Friday, September 18, 2009 To win the Gay Games won't just enhance our reputation, it also will put cash in our pockets. The 11,700 participants and over 100,000 spectators to the 2006 Chicago games pumped $80 million into its regional economy. A final decision on site selection will be made Tuesday. Our bet's on Cleveland. http://www.cleveland.com/editorials/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/opinion/1253262816132920.xml&coll=2
September 18, 200915 yr God Please! 2004 Int'l Children's Games, 2013 Senior Games, 2014 Gay Games, World Cup City...2032 Ok maybe 2040 Olympic City! One day at a time!
September 28, 200915 yr City to grant $700,000 if Gay Games come here by Anthony Glassman Cleveland--The city’s bid to host the 2014 Gay Games got another boost on September 14 when Cleveland City Council approved a $700,000 grant to assist the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission in putting on the event. “We’re showing in good faith that we want to bring the Gay Games here and are willing to put up some cash,” said city economic development director Tracey Nichols. “We need to show that this is a strong commitment.” http://www.gaypeopleschronicle.com/stories09/september/0925092.htm
September 28, 200915 yr Gay Games 2014 site to be chosen Tuesday Kim Wendel Updated: 9/28/2009 4:26:45 PM Posted: 9/28/2009 3:52:06 PM The Federation of Gay Games will broadcast the announcement live on its website at 12:30 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. Supporters in Northeast Ohio will also gather at Twist, 11633 Clifton Boulevard in Lakewood to watch the announcement being made, according to local organizers. http://www.wkyc.com/news/politics_govt/politics_article.aspx?storyid=122388&catid=130
September 29, 200915 yr Congrats Cleveland you nailed it!!!!!!! Now lots to do.... This is very significant....
September 29, 200915 yr Yaya! I am not sure why this is making me teary-eyed, but it is :) I have to admit I started balling when they announced it! :cry:
September 29, 200915 yr WKYC is on top of it...... Just don't look at the comments. No PeeDee article yet.
September 29, 200915 yr AMEN. My gay prayers have been answered. Now hurry up and build all the materialistic BS that US free spending gays love! I'm in tears. Seriously crying tears of joy.
September 29, 200915 yr Thanks for the warning docta! I'll cry when I play the John Williams Olympic soundtrack tonight! lol This is our warm up for 2036 Olympic games!!! Best of luck Chicago!
September 29, 200915 yr Thanks for the warning docta! I'll cry when I play the John Williams Olympic soundtrack tonight! lol This is our warm up for 2036 Olympic games!!! Best of luck Chicago! Oh, god I'll be like 53 in 2036!
September 29, 200915 yr Now hurry up and build all the material BS that US free spending gays love! Funny, but true.... Im calling and texting all the Washintonians I know that up until yesterday thought they were a shoe in for this... "why would dc not get it" and "why would Cleveland get it". I reminded them of there pathetic community rally they held compared to what Cleveland did, I told them not to underestimate Cleveland and that they were indeed winning this. Yes, I knew that Cleveland blew away the selection committee (compared to the Boston and DC) and was certainly confident this time Cleveland was going to win....
September 29, 200915 yr Now hurry up and build all the material BS that US free spending gays love! Funny, but true.... Im calling and texting all the Washintonians I know that up until yesterday thought they were a shoe in for this... "why would dc not get it" and "why would Cleveland get it". I reminded them of there pathetic community rally they held compared to what Cleveland did, I told them not to underestimate Cleveland and that they were indeed winning this. Yes, I knew that Cleveland blew away the selection committee (compared to the Boston and DC) and was certainly confident this time Cleveland was going to win.... Build all that material BS, and I'll shop there too!!!!
September 29, 200915 yr Something like 12,000 participants plus spectators. What do you forsee as consequences of this for projects and construction? I imagine the sports infrastructure needs have already been met. http://news.google.com/news/more?pz=1&cf=all&ncl=d8mwKRre30RKeDMQ9RJTT6E6g3ekM
September 29, 200915 yr Time to start building the high-end shopping downtown! CONGRATS Cleveland...nice work!
September 29, 200915 yr “Cleveland demonstrated to the Federation of Gay Games that they understood the mission of the Gay Games and our principles of ‘Participation, Inclusion, and Personal Best,'” said Kurt Dahl (Chicago) and Emy Ritt (Paris), FGG Co-Presidents. “We were highly impressed by the facilities and infrastructure, the widespread community sport, their financial plan and the city’s experience in hosting large scale sports and cultural events.” http://www.passportmagazine.com/blog/index.php?/archives/2009/09/summary.html
September 29, 200915 yr I gotta say that I had no doubt that the city would get this event. Should be a great event in a GREAT CITY.
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