FYI: Super Bowl is Coming to Indy!

For the last year or so, we've all been watching the countdown clocks all around town.  We've waited through construction, which had different roads closed each day.  We've seen glimpses of all the changes being made inside buildings to prepare for private parties as well as big public events. 

The time has come for us to finally get to see what it was all for (and to cry that our struggling Colts couldn't be playing).  

Hubby and I took the kids downtown yesterday afternoon to see what there was to see.  We spent three hours downtown, only spending money on parking and dinner.   (We wouldn't have had to pay for parking if my big ol' van wasn't too tall for Hubby's parking garage.)  There are plenty of things to do which require some cash, such as the NFL Experience, but we never even made it to that side of town.  

Here's a glimpse into our afternoon.  Keep in mind, six kids, a busy public place, and good photos do not go together.   If the kids are in the photo, they won't stay for long.  If the kids aren't in the photo, you only have a few seconds before you have to put the camera down and count heads.

First, you can't have an Indianapolis event without race cars.  (The Indy500, greatest spectacle in racing, is held here!)  There was a car for each NFL team. 

We found some impersonators.

Clearly that is not Elmo.  He would never be caught dead in such raggy fur and a head on sideways.  But the three year old didn't know the difference, so all is well.

We were astounded by the number of volunteers.  They weren't hard to find, either.  Each had an iPad and a blue and white, hand-knitted scarf, ready and willing to help the lost and confused.

Even the church, smack dab in the middle of the main party drag was getting into the action.

They were also offering extra mass and confession times.  How funny is that?

There is a zip line up just for these two weeks.  The kids aren't old enough to do it, but we had fun watching all of the crazy people flying over our heads.

I don't know if you've heard, but Indy is rather freezing cold this time of year.  Good for the ice sculptures...

not so much the people.

The planners were ready for the cold.  There were plenty of options for folks to warm up, besides the outdoor bars.

There was a mini football field, where you could warm up by playing a game or two.

Also, a department store was turned into a food court and play/shopping area.

We warmed up while we ate,

and threw a ball at the targets.

And if that weren't enough, there were heaters placed around town, so you could warm like a fast-food burger.

There was a dome which practically begged you to come in and play Xbox games.  We don't have and Xbox, and we were cold, so we gave it a try.

And to end the evening, a free concert.  Actually, there are free concerts every night, with some big name bands on the agenda.

I have no idea which band this is, but we had a good time listening and dancing.

We won't be going to any of the parties, let alone the game.  But we are glad to have had the chance to see what an event like this is like.  The kids said, over and over again, that it certainly didn't seem like downtown Indy.  They thought it was more like Disney World. 

Now, if Hubby can make it through the traffic jams and get home in time for dinner each day, I'll say I'm glad the Super Bowl came to town.

Enjoy the game!  (or at least the commercials :)