With the NAACP national convention bringing both major presidential candidates to Cincinnati, for big speeches; this is going to be a big week for entire Tri-State.
The nation is already starting to pay attention to what happens downtown at the Duke Energy Center.
Not surprisingly, it was pretty quiet outside the convention center, even after doors opened at 6 a.m. Monday. But, all that is expected to change drastically over the next 12 hours, as thousands come to the first weekday session of this civil rights group's convention.
On Monday night, the convention will play host to presumptive Democratic Presidential Nominee Barack Obama.
The convention is bringing over 8,000 delegates, their family members and hundreds of workers to Cincinnati, and many of them want to see Senator Obama's speech live.
With space limited in the Hall C Exhibit Center, where Obama will give the speech, the convention has set up a number of other sites to watch his comments.
In addition to live coverage on WCPO-Channel 9 and at wcpo.com, Tri-State residents will also be able to watch the Obama speech live at Fountain Square, where the Jumbotron there will show it live.
Officials recommend getting to the Square early, because it's expected to be crowded. Also, many parking spaces are blocked off immediately around the Convention Center.
The best advice may be to come downtown after 5 p.m. and look for spaces a few blocks away from the Duke Energy Center and Fountain Square.
Although this convention has a national focus, it will also provide a number of opportunities for Tri-State residents to take part in activities.
The exhibit areas are always open to the public. A high school and college political debate will be held at 6:30 p.m. Monday, along with a late evening worship service at 10 p.m.
