2010 Experience Columbus Expy Awards

The seventh annual Experience Columbus Expy Awards recognized organizations for their outstanding contributions in 2009 toward creating a vibrant and distinct Columbus experience for both residents and visitors. 

Award recipients are selected for developing innovative, exciting experiences for visitors, attracting or generating positive media attention or otherwise enhancing Greater Columbus as a destinati0n for conventions, meetings and leisure visitors.

Egypt in Columbus

For eight months in Columbus in 2009, it was all Egypt all the time. “Egypt in Columbus” was made possible by a partnership that included the Columbus Museum of Art, COSI, the Columbus Metropolitan Library and five other local public libraries.

“To Live Forever” at the Columbus Museum of Art, Feb. 13-June 7, explored the ancient Egyptian belief that death could be defeated with proper preparation. 

As part of “Lost Egypt” at COSI, May 30-Sept. 7, children and parents followed in the footsteps of archeologists  to decipher languages and unearth artifacts of a culture of long ago. 

At area libraries, a downloadable “passport” encouraged young and old to read books about life in ancient Egypt. Stamped passports were redeemed for prizes.

More than 274,000 visitors enjoyed these incredible exhibits. The partnership that brought “Egypt to Columbus” is a model of the collaborative spirit and vision that is elevating our city’s profile as a place to live, work and visit.

Huntington Park

On April 18, before a capacity crowd of more than 11,000 fans, the first pitch at the brand new Huntington Park ushered in a new era in Columbus Clippers baseball.

By the end of the season, the franchise had set a new record of attendance – more than 588,000 fans experienced baseball in Columbus.

Located in the heart of the city, featuring skyline views and exciting baseball action, Huntington Park has it all – a left field building buzzing with activity, open air concessions, picnic spots for the family, outstanding food and an inviting landscaping. 

And, in a year when the new $1.5 billion Yankee Stadium also opened, Huntington Park, with a much more modest price tag, earned three prestigious 2009 Ballpark of the Year awards as the best in the nation.

Pelotonia

In road cycling races across the French countryside, when bicyclists work together as a group, it’s called a peleton. 

In Columbus, when you bring together bicycle enthusiasts from 31 states and Canada, add in seven-time Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong, plus the generosity of the people of Greater Columbus, it’s called Pelotonia.

Led by cancer survivor Lance Armstrong, 2,265 riders gathered last August for the inaugural ride. They ranged in age from 11 to 77. By the end of the event, the heartiest of them had traveled 180 miles to Athens, Ohio and back.

The event raised more than $4.5 million dollars to fund cancer research at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center-James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute.

The 2010 Pelotonia, to be held this August, is now gearing up.