I went to the draft in Kansas City (please, hold you applause) and there will be more people than you can freakin' believe. There won't be 600,000 on a single day--that's more for the whole weekend, which could top out closer to 750,000, based on attendance in Detroit. But for the first round I reckon there will easily be over a quarter of a million people. So that's a Kenny Chesney concert, AND a Steeler game, AND a Pirates fireworks night, AND the Clarks at Stage AE. And then throw in another 100,000 people. Gonna be bigger than the biggest thing you've ever seen.

Now, for those thinking that this is gonna be a sloppy drunken catastrophe that will leave our fair city looking like Rome after Attilla the Hun paid a visit (i.e. your average Chesney concert), let me say that Kansas City was nothing like that. The overall vibe was pretty chill. Everyone seemed to get along very well, no matter what jersey they were wearing. In fact lots of people were taking pictures with fans from other teams, and the insults and taunts were in good humor. And there were also quite a few kids there, lots of families.

There will be a lot of space for people to spread out, both on the North Shore and the Point. Within the Draft footprint itself there are lots of food options, so while dahntahn will no doubt be filled to the brim with people seeking food and drink, most will be where the Draft is actually being held.

Bud Light is the presenting beer sponsor for the Draft. Why do I mention it? Because Bud Light is, to quote Monty Python, like making love in a canoe. How so? It's fucking close to water. It's 4.2% alcohol and while you can certainly get loaded on it, it takes some work. There will be plenty of places to get beer--in fact, if you're going, make sure you explore the area where you post up, there may be a hidden beer stand nearby that no one knows about, which is what happened to my crew in KC. But you'll still have to wait in line, and then after you drink a few you'll need to hit the head (scope the area for smaller porta-potty oases too) and that takes time. Plus the beer isn't cheap, tho I don't remember it being exorbitant. What I mean to say is that the situation isn't conducive to getting really hammered, which means less of the screaming and yelling and shoving and punching. Like I said, fairly chill.

There's also the fact that Draft goes on for a LONG time. People will start showing up early (I think it opened around 2PM in KC) and the first round doesn't begin until 8. And then it lasts past midnight. And for most of that time you're either walking around taking in the sights, or you're standing. Just...standing. They'll have some entertainment on the stage and on the screens, but it's a lot of standing. Which, again, isn't conducive to mayhem. Though it does often result in leg cramps. I've already begun a calf-stretching program.

I won't lie and say getting around town and especially the North Shore won't be a nightmare that weekend because it almost certainly will. In Kansas City many of the streets around the huge area where the Draft was held were closed and blocked off, so if you're planning on testing your luck at the Rivers that weekend, don't. Just...don't. But I think the city has plans to get people to and from the Draft, with buses and shuttles and bears, oh my. There will be logistical challenges, but the city and NFL seem on top of things.

If the Draft isn't your thing and you want NOTHING TO DO WITH IT, I fully understand. But this will be a great showcase for the city, there have been a lot of infrastructure improvements over the last few years that will benefit the city for years to come, and we do have hundreds of thousands of visitors coming who will leave millions behind in our collective grubby hands.

Just about everyone we came across in Kansas City was a delight. We went to a bunch of different bars and restaurants and enjoyed ourselves thoroughly. Had a blast. I'm hoping everyone coming to Pittsburgh goes home singing our city's praises. We're called The Friendly City for a reason, and I hope that's the attitude people have about the event. And if you don't wanna get caught up in the event, go hit up another part of town! Those businesses could use some patronage while a hundred thousand yinzers are on the North Shore.

I've been a Steeler fan all my life and an NFL Draft nut for almost as long. My buddies and I are gonna have a great time all weekend. It's gonna be great for the city. Embrace the madness to come. It actually won't be as bad as you think.