Noblesville hosts outdoor NCAA Tournament watch party
NOBLESVILLE, Ind. (WISH) — A thousand people took advantage of an opportunity to watch March Madness and keep an eye on their bracket, all while keeping socially distant at the same time.
It may be the world’s largest watch party this year.
The city of Noblesville pulled out all the stops to help people feel a sense of community of a long year of isolation.
The watch party on the Federal Hill Commons from noon to 8 p.m. was a big hit Saturday for those like Dan Moosbrugger who brought his family.
“Discussing if we just sit around the house where we’ve spent the past year or come out and have some fun. It was a pretty easy choice,” Moosbrugger said.
Steve Kaufman was also in attendance with his wife and two daughters.
“It’s a beautiful day, first day of spring, get outside,” Kaufman said.
It’s what the city had in mind: trying to find some fun but in a safe way in a pandemic.
“It’s important because it’s a great way to rejuvenate the city with a long winter and being inside and to come out and enjoy ourselves and enjoy our community. This is a great way to do that,” said Abbey Hash with the city’s parks department.
“I think it’s really cool that they’re doing this. They do a lot of really neat events at this park,” Kaufman added.
Capacity was capped at 1,000 people, equal to 25% of the park space.
Masks were encouraged if getting together with non-family members.
The cost to the city was about $3,000 plus the cost of the rented big screen.