Ohio might not be the Spring Break destination of choice, but we do have the best Halloween party.
By Joe Bugbee
Pulse Writer
They call it the largest block party in the world, and in a sense, it probably is.
The annual Halloween bash at Ohio University takes up four city blocks, caters to roughly 20,000 to 30,000 dressed up college students and costs anywhere between $40,000 to $50,000 to put on.
Now that's a block party.
The party starts today in Athens and continues throughout the weekend, climaxed by a swarm of enthusiastic collegians, dressed up in all sorts of outfits parading on Court Street. There is food, drinking and the occasional arrest, but no doubt about it — it is one of the most highly anticipated gatherings in Ohio.
Larry Payne, the president of the Athens Chamber of Commerce said that word about the Halloween party has spread not only throughout the state but to neighboring states as well.
"It's one of those things that's spreading by name," Payne said. "Students from the University of Michigan and Penn State come down, but mainly it's a statewide event." Payne said that one of the main reasons the party draws so many people from around the state is a "curiosity thing."
"Some people may just come for a couple of hours to see what it is like," he said.
The reason why people pass through is because of the enormity of the event.
"If you're intimidated by thousands of people, you probably shouldn't come," Payne said.
But what is odd about the bash is that many students from OU actually go home on a big weekend such as this one, he said. To spread things out a little more, event coordinators have set up two bandstands and are trying to designate areas strictly for food and beverages.
Article comments
1 - shannon
My alma mater! One year, I dressed as a wood sprite / fairy in a flowing green silk dress, with a green laurel crown on my head, and a wand. Several drunk revelers (Several? Hell, dozens!) came up to me and said:
"Dude! You're pot!"
"No, I'm a fairy."
"No, duuuude! You're pot!"
So, inadvertently, I was OU's favorite substance for Halloween.
2 - Ken Edwards
I am not going this year, but I have been down to Athens twice for the annual Halloween bash. The first time I went down, a friend’s tires got slashed . But other then that, its a blast every year I go.
3 - Biggles
I wrote this! Love, Joe Bugbee.