Music Fusion a blast

The folks who brought you Music Fusion week are crowing about the estimated 200,000 people who came downtown (and Riverbend) over the weekend to attend performances, see the Reds, eat and shop.

The event, dreamed up by Cincinnati USA Regional Tourism Network, was aimed at out-of-town visitors (hmm, does that mean people in Mason and Lebanon?). Clearly the big draw was Macy's Music Festival, which, despite the downpour on Friday and the Mary J. Blige no-show, attracted more than 20,000.

I was at the Sunday performance of Aida in Music Hall, which was packed to the rafters, with the largest attendance of any of the season offerings (more than 3,100). Not bad, considering the Reds were playing, too.

Included in the week's events were Jimmy Buffett and, at the Pops last week, Vanessa Williams. And the Freedom Center on Saturday had record attendance when it opened its doors and had free entrance. The kickoff concert with Gerald Alblright drew more than 3,000, making it one of the largest crowds on Fountain Square since the renovation.

What's your take on this?