Athens Ohio Halloween Block Party
Encyclopedia
Halloween in Athens Ohio is an annual Block Party in Uptown Athens, Ohio
. Although called a Block Party the festivities span several blocks and revelers can be found at house parties
around the city. On the closest Saturday to Halloween
Court St. in Uptown Athens is closed to traffic and stages are set up to provide entertainment to the crowds. An estimated 10,000 to 30,000 party-goers dressed in all manner of costume descend upon the City of Athens with a population of 23,832. The city’s population can double overnight. Ohio University
in its attempts to limit the number of individuals from outside the Athens community only allows each student living in the dorms to have one guest stay for the weekend. The University spends roughly $90,000 a year in security and safety measures for the campus. The City of Athens brings in Police forces from surrounding counties to help with crowd control and safety.
Parking for out of town partiers is available in the City of Athens parking garage just off Court St. and at the Athens County Fairgrounds on the west side of the city. Since 1998 Ohio University has blocked off lots to any vehicles not displaying a valid parking permit. The city of Athens has traditionally charged for parking at the Fairgrounds as a way to offset the costs of additional police and emergency response teams. Ohio University
provides alternative activities for students that don’t want to deal with the crowds uptown. The activities range from movie showings to open swims in the aquatic center, and even an open stage in the Universities’ coffee shop.
has its roots in 1974 when costumed partiers halted traffic on Court Street in uptown Athens for two hours on Halloween night. 1975 is known as the forgotten year. Homecoming
and Halloween
fell on the same weekend and no mention is made in local newspapers or any publications of an uptown block party. 1976 brought the crowds back to Court Street and uptown Athens. Court Street was closed at 11 P.M. by the Athens Police Department. Fifteen partiers were arrested through the night. In 1977 The Athens City Council passed a resolution closing Court Street to traffic and allowing an official Halloween celebration. Ohio University
officials planned activities, including; a costume contest, live music, and a four by eight foot cake to be served to partygoers. Sixty-five people were arrested in 1977. 1978 marked the second year the block party was endorsed by the Athens City Council and University officials. One hundred and twenty four partiers were arrested. Of those fourteen were Ohio University students. Because of the high arrest numbers in 1978 the City of Athens and Ohio University dropped their sponsorship of the festivities in 1979. Despite the lack of official recognition the Block Party happened anyway. Court Street was closed at 9:30 P.M. One hundred and forty one people were arrested on Halloween weekend in 1979. The annual event continued to grow through the 80’s and 90’s without University or City support until 1990 when the Block Party was recognized by the City of Athens again.
Athens, Ohio
Athens is the largest city in, and the county seat of, Athens County, Ohio, United States. It is located along the Hocking River in the southeastern part of Ohio. A historic college town, Athens is home to Ohio University and is the principal city of the Athens, Ohio Micropolitan Statistical Area. ...
. Although called a Block Party the festivities span several blocks and revelers can be found at house parties
House party
A house party in the English-speaking world is typically a type of party where medium to large groups of people gather at the residence of the party's host. In modern usage, a house party is typically associated with teenage or young adult crowds, loud music, dancing, and the consumption of alcohol...
around the city. On the closest Saturday to Halloween
Halloween
Hallowe'en , also known as Halloween or All Hallows' Eve, is a yearly holiday observed around the world on October 31, the night before All Saints' Day...
Court St. in Uptown Athens is closed to traffic and stages are set up to provide entertainment to the crowds. An estimated 10,000 to 30,000 party-goers dressed in all manner of costume descend upon the City of Athens with a population of 23,832. The city’s population can double overnight. Ohio University
Ohio University
Ohio University is a public university located in the Midwestern United States in Athens, Ohio, situated on an campus...
in its attempts to limit the number of individuals from outside the Athens community only allows each student living in the dorms to have one guest stay for the weekend. The University spends roughly $90,000 a year in security and safety measures for the campus. The City of Athens brings in Police forces from surrounding counties to help with crowd control and safety.
Parking for out of town partiers is available in the City of Athens parking garage just off Court St. and at the Athens County Fairgrounds on the west side of the city. Since 1998 Ohio University has blocked off lots to any vehicles not displaying a valid parking permit. The city of Athens has traditionally charged for parking at the Fairgrounds as a way to offset the costs of additional police and emergency response teams. Ohio University
Ohio University
Ohio University is a public university located in the Midwestern United States in Athens, Ohio, situated on an campus...
provides alternative activities for students that don’t want to deal with the crowds uptown. The activities range from movie showings to open swims in the aquatic center, and even an open stage in the Universities’ coffee shop.
Origins and history
The annual Halloween Block Party in Athens, OhioAthens, Ohio
Athens is the largest city in, and the county seat of, Athens County, Ohio, United States. It is located along the Hocking River in the southeastern part of Ohio. A historic college town, Athens is home to Ohio University and is the principal city of the Athens, Ohio Micropolitan Statistical Area. ...
has its roots in 1974 when costumed partiers halted traffic on Court Street in uptown Athens for two hours on Halloween night. 1975 is known as the forgotten year. Homecoming
Homecoming
Homecoming is the tradition of welcoming back alumni of a school. It most commonly refers to a tradition in many universities, colleges and high schools in North America...
and Halloween
Halloween
Hallowe'en , also known as Halloween or All Hallows' Eve, is a yearly holiday observed around the world on October 31, the night before All Saints' Day...
fell on the same weekend and no mention is made in local newspapers or any publications of an uptown block party. 1976 brought the crowds back to Court Street and uptown Athens. Court Street was closed at 11 P.M. by the Athens Police Department. Fifteen partiers were arrested through the night. In 1977 The Athens City Council passed a resolution closing Court Street to traffic and allowing an official Halloween celebration. Ohio University
Ohio University
Ohio University is a public university located in the Midwestern United States in Athens, Ohio, situated on an campus...
officials planned activities, including; a costume contest, live music, and a four by eight foot cake to be served to partygoers. Sixty-five people were arrested in 1977. 1978 marked the second year the block party was endorsed by the Athens City Council and University officials. One hundred and twenty four partiers were arrested. Of those fourteen were Ohio University students. Because of the high arrest numbers in 1978 the City of Athens and Ohio University dropped their sponsorship of the festivities in 1979. Despite the lack of official recognition the Block Party happened anyway. Court Street was closed at 9:30 P.M. One hundred and forty one people were arrested on Halloween weekend in 1979. The annual event continued to grow through the 80’s and 90’s without University or City support until 1990 when the Block Party was recognized by the City of Athens again.
2010 Block Party
The 2010 Halloween Bash saw larger crowds than prior years, but arrests were down from previous years. Temperatures were mild and stages were placed at the intersections of Court St. and State St. and Court St. and Union St. Seventy eight arrests were made by the Athens Police Department between 9:30 P.M. Saturday and 3:30 A.M. Sunday. A fire was reported at the Athena Movie Theatre that caused minor damage. This is the arrest record for 2010 as reported by WSAZ, "Breakdown of Halloween Block Party Arrests:- 1 -- Possession of heroin
- 2 -- Possession of Oxycontin
- 6 -- Open container
- 12 -- Underage intoxication
- 12 -- Underage consumption
- 2 -- Obstruction
- 44 -- Disorderly by Intoxication
- 3 -- Assault
- 1 -- Trespassing
- 1 -- Counterfeit Money"