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Crowds gather at the north end of Court Street during the 2013 Halloween Block Party. (Brien Vincent | Staff Photographer)

Halloween more 'mellow' than previous years

A chilly, damp day did not deter excited partygoers dressed in an eclectic range of costumes from attending Saturday’s annual Halloween Block Party.

Two stages stationed on opposite ends of Court Street created a space for costumed Halloween block partiers to dance and enjoy themselves as the night wore on into early Sunday morning.

Jonathan Holmberg, chairman of the Athens Clean and Safe Halloween Committee, said the annual block party was a great success.

“The bands were great,” Holmberg said. “Anyone I spoke to said they were very happy with how things had gone.”

The music kicked off with dadRAM on the North Stage and Uptowne Buddha on the South Stage.

The lineup throughout the night was diverse, providing entertainment for the dressed-up audience members. The musical lineup included the hip-hop funk of Uptowne Buddha and Bright at Night, the electronic music of DJ duo Dave Rave, reggae-rock music provided by the Andy Shaw Band and the hard rock of Dune and headliner Hellnaw.

Many of the bands talked about how happy they were to be playing at the Halloween party.

Andy Shaw of the Andy Shaw Band said playing to a college crowd was a rewarding experience that his band isn’t always offered.

“You guys are real music appreciators,” Shaw said.

Frank Morgan, a member of the crowd control team for the South Stage who has been working the festival for more than 25 years, said this particular Halloween was more of a “mellow” party than in past years.  

Athens Police responded to 71 calls for service between

3 p.m. Saturday and 3 a.m. Sunday, and police arrested 49 people with 60 total charges against those individuals. Officers cleared partygoers from Court Street at about 2:30 a.m.

Athens County Emergency Medical Service responded to 34 calls throughout the night, 25 of which involved people being sent to the emergency room. Nine people refused transport and were treated onsite.

Athens Fire Department had no significant calls. Arrest numbers from the Ohio University Police Department were not available by press time.

“I think people are finally getting it,” Holmberg said. “Everyone seems to be more restrained, and they get the plan, which is what has been our goal through the years.”

ds834910@ohiou.edu

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