FISHERS, Ind. — Friday marked the opening night of the brand-new Fishers Event Center.
Thousands of people poured out to the newly opened arena for the Turnpike Troubadours concert. The long-awaited moment stirred quite a bit of excitement among fans who came out to the show.
“Being a part of opening night, we live in Fishers and our house is literally right down the street, so we’re excited,” said concert attendee Sota Mineart.
“We’re excited about it,” said fan Chip Clark. “We’re going to go in there and have some food. We’ve heard it’s supposed to be pretty good. Have a couple drinks. And see the show.”
Of the thousands who came out Friday night, a handful of visitors came from out of the area and were unaware it was the event center’s inaugural show.
“So it made us even more excited because we didn’t know this was brand new,” said fan Christy Sandoval. “So we’re very excited.”
Coincidentally, Friday night marked the arena’s first night and it also marked Christy and Ben Sandoval’s first night of marriage.
“I still have my vows in my pocket actually,” Ben Sandoval said.
Concertgoers like the Sandoval’s showed up in style for the event center’s debut act. There was no shortage of cowboy boots and hats for the Turnpike Troubadours.
“We bonded over music,” Christy described. “So he got me into the Turnpike Troubadours. And so this was a really special moment for us after our wedding to come here and complete the circle of like this is where we started and this is where we’re finishing in a way.”
FOX59/CBS4 also bumped into the people who designed the Fishers Event Center. Those architects are also thrilled to be a part of the evening – now getting to see their concepts in full form after a year and a half of hard work.
“It’s incredible,” said Deena Jamokha, an architectural designer for SCI Architects. “It’s still hard to believe it’s actually right in front of us because we’re so used to seeing it on the computers. Now people are coming to visit and enjoy it. It’s amazing.”
The event center is also home to the Indy Fuel, the Fishers Freight and the Indy Ignite, which means Friday night just marks the beginning. Those living in Hamilton County said this will bring entertainment even closer to home.
“We’re excited,” said Melissa Clark. “It’s much closer to home than others we go to, either downtown or in Noblesville. This is fantastic.”
“Quick and easy,” Mineart described. “Quick and easy. [We] can go to concerts and we’re looking forward to the Fuel games too.”
The puck drops for the Fuel’s opening night at the Fishers Event Center on Dec. 6.
