Some folks unhappy about backed-up traffic downtown because of free 'Yes'Cers' giveaway
While thousands waited in line for their 'Yes'Cers' swag bags downtown, many took to social media to complain about the wait and the traffic jam the Pacers giveaway caused during rush hour.
Major intersections gridlocked as drivers in quest of the Pacers gear formed a one-lane traffic flow to the South Pennsylvania Street side of Gainbridge Fieldhouse. The Pacers organization gave out 5,000 swag bags to people in their cars from 4 to 7 p.m. on June 4 one day before the first game of the NBA finals in Oklahoma City.
By 7 p.m., all the bags were gone.
Some people managed to walk up and snag a gift bag, but Pacers Sports & Entertainment officials said they stopped that practice to make sure people waiting inside their vehicles in line had a chance. Just under two hours into the giveaway, officials said they had 2,000 bags left.
Users online shared their frustrations that hosting the event during rush hour traffic was a bad idea and interfered with rush hour traffic even for commuters who had no interest in acquiring a bag.
Jade Jackson is a Public Safety Reporter for the Indianapolis Star. You can email her at Jade.Jackson@IndyStar.com and follow her on X, formerly Twitter @IAMJADEJACKSON. Noe Padilla contributed to this article.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Downtown traffic jammed by free 'Yes,Cers' swag, drivers unhappy
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