Columbus Pet Expo

Written/Photography by Andrew Livelsberger

Background:
In it's 23rd year, the Columbus Pet Expo is an annual event all about pets of numerous kinds!


Impression:
We all love out pets, whether they be dogs, cats, ferrets or whatever else non-humanoid we decide to bring into our homes and care for.

That love is first evident by the sheer volume of people that attend the Columbus Pet Expo.  You first enter into the Bricker building at the Ohio State Fairgrounds and there are vendors as well as shows and areas to entertain your pets.

In the 2 images below, there was a diving dogs platform where people could bring their dogs and have them jump from the platform and into the water.  Some dogs were not ready for the jump (like in the first picture), while others swam about with the toy they were chasing.

Bringing your own pets are welcome and as shown in the image below, Mr. Basset Hound was getting to know Mr. Ferret.   Such a great site to see the different species in the same area coexisting.

This little chihuahua below had an owner that dressed her as the princess she is.  She was a little tired, so we did not "paparazzi" her too much!

There were also some other unorthodox pets, such as various skunks.

The Pet Expo has a little something for everyone.  You can stop by a vendor and check out the different pet supplies, food, toys or even clothing for those pets that may need a little extra help out there in the cold Ohio seasons.

For us humans, there are areas to exercise your pets as well as entertaining shows to see what it is others have trained their pets to do.

A fun, family and pet centric event is definitely worth the trip.  If you missed this year, look out next March for the next one.

Arnold Fitness Expo 2019 - Guns and Hoses - One Shot!

Written/Photography by Andrew Livelsberger

Location:  Voinovich Center, Ohio State Fairgrounds

At the end of the third round, bloodied but still on his feet, this Guns and Hoses competitor showed strength and tenacity in all three rounds of his fight.

The annual Guns and Hoses boxing exhibition is one of the highlights of the Arnold Fitness Expo.  This year, it was held in the Voinovich Center at the Ohio State Fairgrounds.

There are still 3 full days of Expo, competitions and events.  Don't miss out on this world class sporting festival.

Arnold Sports Festival 2018 Recap

We want to welcome back our Arnold Sports Festival Columbus readers as well as any new readers!
You might be wondering why the Arnold articles now?

We wanted to give you a little recap of 2018 and start getting you pumped and excited about all that is going to go on in 2019!

The team is currently looking over the events for this year and building out our schedule of coverage.
We'll update you on anything new that is coming in a future post.

Guns and Hoses Amateur Boxing

This event was held at the Hollywood Casino event area.  Police and firefighters compete in 3 round boxing matches.

Body Painting Competition

2018 was the first official body painting competition at the Arnold Columbus.   Great artists and models came together to showcase their skills.

 

Art At The Arnold

For many years, art has been a feature at the Arnold.   2018 saw the introduction of the body painting category, other more traditional art forms continue to be made and displayed.  2018 saw the artists move to a more spacious area in the newer section of the Greater Columbus Convention Center.
New location, same great art.

Yoga

Yoga is also represented at the Arnold.  At this session, sensory deprivation is used to help block out the outside influences of the world and get the practitioners focused.

Pole Dancing

Professional pole dancing is a must see event.  We stop by every year to see the amateurs and professionals display their awesomely choreographed and athletic routines.

Scottish Highland Games

Caber tossing and rock throwing were on display in the Expo.

Toughman Competition

New for 2018, the toughman boxing was exciting and entertaining.  We are hoping that this event returns in 2019.
These fighters left everything in the octagon.

Wheelchair Bodybuilding

After we saw this event for the first time a few years ago, this has been a must see every year.  Showcasing the strong will of the human spirit.  These bodybuilders overcome some of the biggest adversities and prove that you can be whatever you set your mind to!

Pickleball

we knew very little about this sport, but it is easy to understand once you watch for a little while.  This fast paced sport is great to watch.  Definitely check it out!   This event is normally at the fair grounds along with gymnastics, cheerleading and the kids expo.

Professional Wrestling

Yes, there is that as well!  We stumbled across this high energy match whilst making our way through the kids expo.   It was so good, we stopped to get some coverage of NOW - New Ohio Wrestling!

There are so many competitions at the Arnold every year, we have a tough time trying to figure out what to cover!  There is something for everyone at the Arnold, so make sure to look over the 4 days of events and find your favorite!  Or better yet, find something you've never seen or heard of before and give that a go.

Here is a link to the 2019 schedule of events.
Official ArnoldSportFestival Website - SCHEDULE 2019

Remember, if you can't make it, checkout our coverage February 28 through March 3!

Columbus Oddities and Curiosities Expo (some adult content)

Written by Dani and Andrew Livelsberger

Photo/Video by Andrew Livelsberger

Background:
Billed as the first and original traveling oddities festival, founded in 2017.  The expo started as 2 cities in 2017 and has expanded out to 8 cities in 2018.
Looking for the strange and unusual?  This is your place!  From "freakshow" like acts to real human skulls, taxidermy and eight legged cats...it can all be found here.

Fortune teller

Impression:

First - at the bottom of this article contains some adult content.  No nudity, but there are piercings, people suspended from hooks and people getting things stapled to their bodies.  If this is not something you want to see, then now is your time to close the browser, click the back button and go back to safety.

If you need something cute to look at, check out the kittens HERE.

Our only knowledge of this festival was from a teaser clip on the website.  Once we saw it, we knew we had to show up!   Who doesn't like strange and unusual things?  Most people we know do!

I'm not sure anyone who planned this event could have predicted the kind of turnout.   We arrived right at opening and the line for tickets and entry stretched on for quite some time.   We purchased tickets online in advance, so getting in did not take very long and we recommend that you get your tickets this way.

We did hear from some that at it's longest wait, it took some people 2 hours to get in. 

Visiting for over 2 hours, the Expo building was packed the whole time.  If they bring this back next year, it would be great to have a larger space or perhaps have it over an entire weekend and not just one day.  Also, there felt like there was no a/c and the building had no cross breeze of any kind, so it did get a little warm.

Minor inconveniences, though as it did not take away from our enjoyment!

Some vendors had insects like the walking stick above for sale.


Below, a couple started off with some bullwhip demonstrations, but then soon went to something more dangerous....

For those that are squeamish or do not like blood and those kinds of things, here is the section of the article you should skip.

SWORD SWALLOWING!

At the end of their show, they invited those that enjoyed to drop a few bills into a top hat in front of the stage.  However, for those that wanted to give a little extra, they allowed $5 and up tips to be stapled directly onto their bodies with a staple gun.

Further down the oddities rabbit hole we have the piercing and suspension area.  Here, volunteers got pierced by hooks and suspended for a few seconds from their piercings.

Arnold Classic 2018 IFBB Pro Champion- William Bonac

Welcome to a new format!

We are trying something new and here we have a YouTube link as well as a Podcast!

Visual Ohio Voice is hosted by Danielle and Andrew Livelsberger.  You get to listen to our thoughts on the events we cover.

This premiere episode, we cover the Arnold Classic 2018 IFBB competitors and top 3 placers, William Bonac, Dexter Jackson and Cedric McMillan.


Youtube:

Podbean Podcast:

Arnold Sports Festival Columbus Celebrating 30 Years

Written/Photography by

Andrew Livelsberger

Background:
Celebrating 30 years of sports excellence, the Arnold Sports Festival returns to Columbus, OH March 1-4, 2018.   75 sports will be represented and new sports/exhibits will be introduced.


Impression:
You know we here at VisualOhio love the Arnold Sports Festival.  We have been attending the event long before we covered it professionally.  We've seen the event grow and change over time, just as we've seen different sports and athletes change over time.

Arnold Schwarzenegger has created a tradition, a welcoming atmosphere for the world of sports.  This annual, world wide event is something to behold.  A mecca of sorts, that we feel everyone should attend at least once in their life, if for no other reason to see the world in a different way.  A way that shows that varying sports and athletes from all kinds of backgrounds have a place.

Here is a sampling of some of our favorite images from over the years.  Please enjoy them and know that we love what we do and we love bringing you coverage of the event every year.

The 30th year will bring even more sports, hitting the 75 mark - including axe throwing and body painting being added this year.