Downtown Hartford got a head start Monday on the upcoming 2010 Visa Championships with the hanging of banners promoting elite junior and senior American gymnasts who will be in the city next month competing for spots on the U.S. Olympics team.
Banners, some as large as 1,800 square feet, images featuring current and former U.S. gymnastics stars,
are being hung from the on sides of office buildings, off bridges, and in storefronts in Hartford, Bradley International Airport, the University of Hartford and elsewhere.
Today, a 512-square-foot banner was draped from the walkway bridge over Church Street, linking the XL Center and the Hilton Hotel.
On Tuesday at 10 a.m., window graphics will be installed at downtown’s State House Square office building.
At 1 p.m. Tuesday, Hartford Mayor Pedro Segarra, 1996 Olympic champion Kerri Strug, USA Gymnastics President Steve Penny and local convention and tourism promoters will take part in a ceremony at the Pratt Street Arch, across from the XL Center, Trumbull Street as “Tumble Street.”
At 3 p.m., Strug will lead a gymnastics demonstration and sign autographs at Westfarms Mall.
On Wednesday, an 1,800-square-foot banner will be hung from the south side of the Crowne Plaza Hartford Downtown, 50 Morgan St.
The Visa Championships are Aug. 10-14 at the XL Center.
