The NFL is "expanding and re-organizing" the three-day downtown Draft Town festival in late April to try to "outdo the success of last year's event," according to Rich Campbell of the CHICAGO TRIBUNE. The "bigger and better vision of the event," in which attendees can watch the NFL Draft, includes a 120-foot-tall Ferris wheel, an area showcasing the College Football HOF and "moving the center of Draft Town festivities toward Buckingham Fountain." Last year's three-day event in Grant Park and Congress Plaza "drew approximately 200,000 people." This year's festival "is free and runs April 28-30." Organizers are also moving Selection Square to the fountain area in the "hope that will alleviate some of the crowding that occurred last year and also offer fans and event telecasters, ESPN and NFL Network, clearer views of the skyline." Campbell notes the NFL "hopes to generate a greater buzz on the red carpet Friday with a steady flow of famous retired and current players." The plan, similar to last year, is to have "alumni announce their respective team’s pick in the second round." One change would be for each team’s Walter Payton Man of the Year award nominee to "announce its pick" in the third round. The Draft Town festival is "increasing it's footprint in the park" by 25% (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 3/31). NFL Senior VP/Events Peter O'Reilly said that this year's Draft will "provide more activities -- youth football, flag football, 'Play 60' events," in addition to "more NFL legends and probably even bigger-name NFL legends." Draft Town organizers expect to "'go well beyond' the attendance of more than 200,000" at the event last year (CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 3/31).
