As the Columbus Blue Jackets ramp up for an open-air clash with the Detroit Red Wings, the team's iconic cannon is prepping for its own moment in the limelight at Ohio Stadium. The cannon, a staple at Nationwide Arena since 2007, is especially known for startling everyone within earshot after each Blue Jackets goal. According to NBC4i, the 1,500-pound replica of an 1857 Napoleon-style cannon will be getting more exposure than ever during the Stadium Series game, with the potential to showcase its signature boom in front of 90,000 fans.
The cannon's relocation to the stadium, a move that marks its first foray out of the confines of an indoor rink, was completed ahead of the highly anticipated matchup. As reported by WBNS, the cannon's presence at the 'Shoe' is part of Columbus' first-ever Stadium Series event. Many fans, such as Patti Petrarca who excitedly came down just to watch the cannon's arrival, are keyed up for what is to be a boom-like-none-other during this special edition of the game.
The sound that reverberates through the stadium after every Blue Jackets goal is actually a blend of sights and sounds, employing a flashbang inside the cannon synchronized with a concussion charge up in the rafters to simulate an authentic cannon blast. "I think this our first stop for us. We had to come here. We had to take a picture with the cannon," a devoted Canadian fan expressed in an interview obtained by NBC4i.
In the lead-up to the game, the cannon's journey was nothing short of a public event. It traveled from Nationwide Arena to Ohio Stadium via High Street, making history with every turn. "I’m extremely excited. I came down specifically to watch the cannon arrive," Petrarca told ABC6. With such enthusiasm swirling around, the Blue Jackets are ensured to have a supportive backdrop as they go head-to-head with the Red Wings, hoping to give their cannon plenty of reasons to fire up the crowd.
