COLUMBUS State capitol prepares for fiesta

Ohio State fans are making plans to gather in Columbus an watch the Buckeyes.
COLUMBUS (AP) -- Thousands of football fans will be leaving Columbus so they can watch Ohio State play in the Fiesta Bowl. At the same time, other supporters of the Buckeyes will be coming to the city for the same reason.
Some hotels have been busy booking rooms for fans who live outside the city and want to be in town when Ohio State plays Miami on Jan. 3 in Tempe, Ariz.
Leaving Michigan
Jim Creamer, a 1960 Ohio State graduate, and his wife, Shirley, will come to Columbus from Kalamazoo, Mich., to watch the game with other family members at a hotel party.
Creamer said he can't imagine being in Michigan if the Buckeyes should win the national title.
"I don't have any friends or neighbors who are Buckeye fans here," Creamer, 70, said. "Columbus is my hometown. I wanted to watch the game in a party situation with fellow Buckeyes."
The Creamers are staying at the Blackwell, the recently opened 151-room hotel that is part of Ohio State's business school.
The hotel is sponsoring a game-day party that includes a buffet, overnight accommodations and brunch on Jan. 4.
Hotel general manager Doug Koyle said reservations have been brisk, so he's resisting opening up the party to nonguests in light of the riots that took place after the Ohio State-Michigan game last month.
"The city of Columbus would not want us hosting a big party that's alcohol-oriented," he said.
Feels like a holiday
The Holiday Inn on the Lane, one block from Ohio Stadium, will open its ballroom to 400 guests, who will pay to eat from a buffet and watch the game on a 10-foot-wide screen.
Marty Sims, the hotel's food and beverage manager, said rooms are being booked at a solid pace for the night of Jan. 3.
"I'm surprised how many we're getting from Cleveland and Mansfield," he said.
Caterers around town already are reporting big business or expecting their restaurants to be filled on the day of the game.
"We're preparing for it like it's Super Bowl weekend," said Rick Malir, owner of City Barbecue, which has three area locations and a catering business.