Photos: The 2021 NFL Draft in Cleveland

Bob Perkoski Tuesday, May 04, 2021
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Football fans from around the country descended on Cleveland this past Thursday, April 29 through Saturday, May 1 to attend the 2021 NFL Draft. The city put its best foot forward as hosts—creating a venue that built excitement and drew fans from all 32 NFL teams.

“With this weekend’s NFL Draft, Downtown Cleveland saw more foot traffic and business than it has in a long time,” says Michael Deemer, Downtown Cleveland Alliance interim CEO and president. “Residents and visitors got to see that not only are we open for business, but that we are excited to welcome everyone back to experience the city center with safety measures in place.”

Deemer adds that the Draft kicks off the beginning of many more planned outdoor activities as Ohio and the nation emerge from the pandemic and begin to go outside to play.

“This is just the beginning, as we, along with our business owners and operators, prepare for a great season ahead,” he says.

FreshWater managing photographer Bob Perkoski was at the event and he captured the buzz and activities happening on Cleveland’s lakefront this week.  
Bob Perkoski
Bob Perkoski

About the Author: Bob Perkoski

Bob is managing photographer with FreshWater as well as a Cleveland freelance photographer. His photographic approach is rooted in the art of storytelling. Whether freezing the energy of an event, encapsulating the magic of a performance, or astutely anticipating the decisive moments, his work displays an innate ability to distill the essence of any scene or subject into a single frame or series of work. In addition, Bob is the official photographer for LAND studio and Holden Forest and Gardens and has worked with various Cleveland organizations. In 2019 he published a book of his photos Rust Belt Burlesque. He's had work published in other books like LGBTQ Cleveland by Ken Schneck, Rust Belt Chic: The Cleveland Anthology, Rust Belt Chic: The Pittsburgh Anthology and Moon Cleveland by Douglas Trattner. Previously he was co-founder/art director for Balanced Living Magazine. You can view his versatile portfolio of work, which includes news coverage, portraiture, architectural and fine art at Perkoski Photography. Originally from Conneaut, Ohio, Perkoski now lives close to the city in Parma. He has been Fresh Water's managing photographer since the publication's September 2010 inception.

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