Despite a last-minute switch in headliners and lower-than-usual attendance, music, beer and drunken fest-goers crowded the 10Fest field this weekend — and it won’t be the last time the Number Fest takes Athens by storm this academic year.
“Let everyone know we’ll see ’em again in April,” said Dominic Petrozzi, the fest’s founder. “Number Fest 11th Edition is coming Spring 2013. Bigger names, bigger plans.”
The weekend was almost without a headliner after Juicy J accepted an invitation to perform at the BET Awards in Atlanta, but the rapper Curren$y was booked as a replacement at the last minute.
“We finalized Curren$y (Friday) night at 1 a.m.,” Petrozzi said. “Though Juicy J canceled last minute, I’m extremely happy we were able to do what we had to do to get out a replacement.”
Petrozzi said the event attracted approximately 8,000 attendees, a drop from last spring’s estimated 10,000 and 8Fest’s 13,000. Despite the decrease, Petrozzi said he was pleased with the day, and fest-goers agreed.
“I thought it was a lot of fun,” said Tyler Beck, a sophomore studying biological sciences. “The music and the lights were really cool to see at night.”
Brice Fick of the Athens County Sheriff’s Department said that as of 6 p.m., arrests were very low. Official arrest numbers for the day were not available Sunday.
The day began with a relatively small crowd as the DJs and rappers took to the stage. For some, such as local artist Jean P, it was their first time in front of the Number Fest crowd.
“It was a great experience,” Jean P said. “I did what I could with the audience and the time I had onstage.”
Musician Cal Scruby made his second appearance in Athens after opening for Big K.R.I.T. last year during the Black Student Cultural Programming Board’s Sibs Weekend concert last spring.
“I was just a bit surprised (the students) remembered me,” he said. “It was awesome.”
After sweeping in at the last minute to save the day, Curren$y walked on stage 30 minutes late, surrounded by a puff of smoke and booming beats.
“Y’all know what you’re doing,” he said as he took the stage. “Let’s keep the party going. I know you’ve been saving it, light it up.”
Despite his late arrival, fans cheered and threw drinks on stage in appreciation of the rapper. Some audience members were even glad with the lineup switch.
“I’m glad Curren$y came,” Beck said. “I think he killed it. Juicy just missed his chance to party at one of the biggest events of the year and have a great experience here in Athens.”
To end the night, local duo Dave Rave transformed the field into a massive electro-party, adding lights to the mix.
“Our time onstage was pretty magical,” said Brandon Thompson, half of the DJ duo. “I think OU students are a little spoiled in what we have here. I had an out-of-towner tell me he thought it was crazy that a single college could create this crazy atmosphere year after year.”
lf328610@ohiou.edu
