Cincinnati's riverfront will be on display when the Bengals and Patriots battle on Monday Night Football on October 1.
Read the release:
Chamber, DCI, Bengals and Duke Energy Team Up
To Stage Special Edition Of Light Up Cincinnati USA Oct. 1
CINCINNATI, Sept. 29, 2007 – When the Cincinnati Bengals host the New England Patriots for ESPN's Monday Night Football Oct. 1, undoubtedly there will be tremendous teamwork by the men in orange and black on the gridiron. Off the field, another team is working to shine a spectacular spotlight on the Midwest's most majestic skyline with the production of the 2007 Light Up Cincinnati USA, presented by Duke Energy.
The Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber -- together with Downtown Cincinnati Inc., the Cincinnati Bengals front office and Duke Energy -- have teamed up to stage a historic lighting of the riverfront for the Bengals' second Monday Night Football game of 2007. For the first-time ever, Paul Brown Stadium will be adorned with four spectacular searchlights that will put a Hollywood halo on the architecturally acclaimed stadium. In addition, both Great American Ball Park and Paul Brown Stadium will be aglow, and DCI has made a special request of Downtown building owners and managers to take special steps to illuminate their buildings.
"Downtown Cincinnati Inc. is excited to work with the Chamber, the Bengals and Duke Energy in showcasing our magnificent skyline to the nation and the more than 12 million viewers ESPN's Monday Night Football traditionally attracts," said David Ginsburg, president and CEO of DCI. "In particular, we want to note the support of the Cincinnati Bengals front office, Duke Energy and Downtown property owners and building managers in helping our corporate community shine the biggest spotlight possible on one of our greatest assets -- our splendid skyline -- for this national broadcast."
The Bengals have secured four searchlights that will be positioned at the east, west, north and south points of the Paul Brown Stadium plaza. According to Mark Phillips of ASAP Searchlights, each light canon will rotate from 45 degrees to vertical, giving off 400 million candle power, for a combined effect of 1.6 billion candle power. "The Bengals are pleased to help boost the energy for the 2007 edition of Light Up Cincinnati USA," said Bob Bedinghaus, director of development of the Bengals. "The production crews with ESPN have been very impressed with the teamwork our region has put forward in hosting these two Monday Night Football broadcasts. Light Up Cincinnati will be a great exclamation point to the collaboration that has taken place behind the scenes."
The 2007 Light Up Cincinnati USA will feature the traditional photo contest with cash prizes in two categories: professional and amateur. All photos must be taken the evening of Oct. 1, 2007. Cash prizes of $1,000 for first place and $500 for second place will be offered in both categories -- at the discretion of a panel of judges. Prizes may not be awarded if judges feel the submissions do not merit award recognition. Photos that earn award recognition become the property of the Chamber and DCI for future promotion of the region.
Submitted photos must be between 8 by 10 inches and 11 by 14 inches, color or black and white, and must be submitted by 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 12, at the Chamber offices, 300 Carew Tower, 441 Vine St., Cincinnati, OH 45202.
For more information on the photo contest, the public should go to CincinnatiChamber.com
