First Posted: 2/26/2015
LIMA — After nearly five decades of people reacting to the call “come on down,” perhaps the biggest catch phrase in game show history finally found its way to the Lima area for the first time Thursday.
A total of 1,687 people anxiously waited for their names to be called as “The Price is Right Live” was an instant hit with everyone in attendance at Veterans Memorial Civic Center. An expo preceded the show in the exhibition hall.
Host Todd Newton, known for his work on E! Entertainment Television and other game shows, had the crowd cheering from the get-go with his flamboyant style as the first four contestants were named and the game commenced.
Nearly everyone in the crowd professed to loving the show and being glad it was in town. They all were hoping to have their name called.
“I watch this show every day,” said Patricia Brunswick, of Coldwater. “My daughters flew out to Los Angeles about 10 years ago to see the show. I am here with them. There are seven of us here, and I think any one of us will be screaming if we are picked.”
Donal Caudill, of St. Marys, admitted he would probably turn a bright shade of red if his name were called. He was attending with his sister, Mandy.
“I still think it would be pretty awesome though,” Caudill said.
Ernesto and Robyn Gonzalez, of Lima, said they had been longtime fans of the show. Robyn Gonzalez said she felt that her retail experience would help. The couple’s children purchased tickets for them for their upcoming 35th anniversary on Monday.
“I am totally ready,” Robyn Gonzalez said.
Cindy Wood, executive director at the Civic Center, said that the event turned out even better than they could have imagined.
“The most common thing we heard at the box office was ‘I have always wanted to do this,’” Wood said. “That is what makes this job fun. It is a lot of work, but it makes it fun when you see others having fun.”
