Cleveland in spotlight as it hosts big-name events

CLEVELAND — Between the Guardians baseball playoff game, a Browns-Bengals matchup, and the 2024 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductions, Cleveland was electric this weekend. But it’s about more than the rock stars and athletes.

“A lot of luggage, a lot of people coming in and out, downtown Cleveland is where it’s at,” said Camerae Harris, a bellman at a hotel in downtown Cleveland. He said the craziness had started several days ago.

Hotel rooms were full not only in downtown Cleveland but across Cuyahoga County.

Resale tickets for the Rock Hall induction ceremony at Rocket Mortgage Field House going for as much as $1,900. But big-ticket prices didn’t keep fans away. A family from Massachusetts came in to watch the Dave Matthews Band get inducted.

“It’s cool! I think we picked a good weekend to come. Between the induction ceremony and the Guardians playing in the playoffs,” said Julie Tapper, a Massachusetts resident.

The last time the induction was held in Cleveland, it brought in $51 million and that was during the pandemic, but all the events are not just good for business.

“Now we have sports and rock & roll mixing over a weekend in Cleveland. Those type of weekends mean a lot, yes financially and economically they mean a lot, but they also mean a lot for city pride as well as for changing perceptions of Cleveland,” said Emily Lauer, VP of press relations & communication at Destination Cleveland.

For fans and visitors who didn’t get tickets to the big-name events, there was still tons of fun to choose from. From live music venues, to checking out the interactive sculptures, even a visit to the Lake View Cemetery where a former Cleveland disc jockey who coined the term “rock and roll” is buried. There was something for everyone.

Fans and their amazing outfits showed up were in full force in downtown Cleveland.

Parking was going for as much as $70 and $80, so taking the RTA, which leaves people right in the center of all the excitement, was recommended. Despite the craziness, visitors and locals were happy to be a part of it.

“This is where is goes down, in the town. Y’all need to be here like James Brown,” said Harris with a smile.