When Las Vegas announced its 2020 NFL draft red carpet was a since-canceled pontoon boat that would sail to a floating stage in the middle of the Bellagio Hotel & Casino’s fountain, we knew we needed to up our game. We came up with some truly Cleveland suggestions to reflect that 216 spirit when the NFL draft comes to town in 2021. And since April in Cleveland means the potential for snow, we’ve got options.
River Landing
Picture this: the Memorial Shoreway bridge is aglow with NFL blue and red. A Cleveland crowd parties and cheers in the Flats as the 2021 draft class travels down the CuyahogaRiver, aka the Green Carpet, on the Nautica Queen. The Queen anchors and each draftee floats to the stage on a giant, motorized swan,a la Johnny Manziel.
If It Snows: They’ll ride Indiana Harbor, the U.S.Coast Guard’s 304-foot icebreaker.
So Cleveland
The draft stage sits in Public Square under the shadow of the iconic TerminalTower. The Euclid Beach RocketCar zooms down Superior Avenue full of future NFL stars. But oh no, lookout for those barricades! Each rookie receives a treat from Pierogi Joe of the Bachelor-famous Pierogi Cart as they walk onstage.
If It Snows: They’ll arrive on a City of Cleveland Division of Streets snowplow.
Tailgate Talk
NFL fans pack the Muni Lot as the Goodyear’s Wingfoot Three blimp approaches Burke Lakefront Airport carrying each rookie, who is handed a plate of hot-off-the-grill ribs and a beer as they disembark. Sure, it’ll take a long time, but the draft always seems to drag on anyway.
If It Snows: Move it inside tailgating RVs and party buses.
