After yet another Palmer Fest ended in flames, local officials are questioning how to handle street fests in the future — with some considering a push to ban them altogether.
Thousands of students and other partiers gathered Saturday on Palmer Street for the 21st year of the annual block party, which has gained notoriety as one of the nation’s wildest college parties.
Firefighters responding to a structural fire about 7 p.m. at 11 Palmer St. encountered interference from a “hostile crowd” of partiers who threw bottles at law enforcement and prevented a fire hose from reaching the scene, Ohio University Police Chief Andrew Powers said at a news conference Saturday night.
Within half an hour, Athens Mayor Paul Wiehl declared Palmer a riot area, and police cleared the street of partygoers.
Revelers caused “considerable” interference in the ability of firefighters to respond to the fire, Athens Fire Chief Bob Troxel said, adding that the cause of the fire, deemed “suspicious,” is still under investigation.
In the wake of Saturday’s events, further discussion about future fests is needed, Athens Police Chief Tom Pyle said.
Athens City Council President Jim Sands said a dialogue between city and OU officials about the fests’ futures will occur this week.
“(Athens’) administration has worked overtime to make the fests possible,” Sands said. “But it seems this weekend went bad.”
Banning the fest altogether, he added, must be on the table.
“It’s not a preferred option,” Sands said. “The city has tried to cooperate.”
This year’s Palmer Fest house fire isn’t the first time the event has gone up in flames.
In both 2009 and 2010, partiers burned couches in the street and tossed bottles and other debris at police — resulting in injuries and dozens of arrests.
Each year, city officials meet with fest organizers in an attempt to review behavior expectations in order to prevent clashes between partygoers and law enforcement, Sands said.
Sands cited the Halloween block party as a once-chaotic event that has calmed down thanks to city supervision and cooperation with OU.
The increased involvement of university officials and resident assistants in dorms helps keep Halloween under control, said Kyle Triplett, Student Senate president, adding that similar university presence during the spring fests would likely aid in maintaining civility.
“It seems we need a happy medium between Halloween and the spring fests to control the amount of people in the area,” Triplett said.
OU administrators have yet to discuss Saturday’s Palmer Fest fire with Athens officials, said Becky Watts, chief of staff to OU President Roderick McDavis.
“The challenge is unsanctioned events — events that are not approved, not regulated,” Watts said. “It’s then up to the organizers of the events.”
rc348710@ohiou.edu
