Tuesday, August 15, 2000

New stadium prepares for public 'open house'

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By Dan Klepal
The Cincinnati Enquirer

        What does $453.2 million buy? See for yourself Wednesday.

OPENING EVENTS Click on the right width for your monitor, then right click to Set As Wallpaper: 600 | 800 | 1024

• Wednesday, 3 p.m.: Paul Brown Stadium Dedication   Remarks from project leaders, unveiling of a plaque and live entertainment.   • Wednesday, 4-10 p.m.: Public Open House   Free tours of the stadium (individuals are asked to bring a canned good item to benefit the Free Store/Food Bank), including team spaces such as the locker room. Live entertainment and games for kids. It will be the only opportunity for the public — including season ticket holders — to walk on the playing field   • Thursday, 7-10 p.m.: Fans Sneak Preview   Season ticket holders will be able to see their seats and watch the first game on the stadium field — a Bengals alumni flag football game.   • Saturday, 7:30: Grand Opening   Preseason game vs. the Chicago Bears.

        Paul Brown Stadium will open its doors to the people who paid for it on Wednesday, between 4-10 p.m., with a free open house.

        It will be the first and only chance for the public to walk on the field and see areas of the stadium that will be off-limits — the Bengals' locker room, weight room, film room, whirlpools and more.

        A dedication ceremony will begin at 3 p.m., hosted by former Bengals star receiver Cris Collinsworth.

        Hamilton County Commission President Bob Bedinghaus, who has championed the stadium, said the open house is for football fans and non-fans alike.

        “If nothing else, this is an opportunity for us to take a step back and celebrate the fact that we really are getting things
done,” Mr. Bedinghaus said.

        The event will feature entertainment and games for children. Organizers have asked that visitors bring canned food items for donation to the FreeStore/FoodBank.

        Many fans were worried Monday that they wouldn't be able to get into the official opening of the stadium on Saturday, when the Bengals play the Bears.

        The Bengals' ticket office was flooded with calls from fans who still haven't received their season tickets.

        Jeff Berding, the team's director of community affairs, said most season ticket holders should have received their passes Saturday or Monday. The rest will receive their tickets today.

        That's because the team wanted the aisle, row and seat number printed on tickets to Thursday's “sneak preview” event, which will allow season ticket holders to find their seats and watch a flag football game played by former Bengals' stars.

        Mr. Berding said adding the seat information delayed the tickets being mailed by about two weeks.

        “We added that event late in the process,” Mr. Berding said. “We thought it would be smart to put the seat numbers on the tickets so people can find their seats.”

Stadium shows sign of opening

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