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Cory Maddocks races against his friends in a beer-bong chugging contest during Palmer Place Fest last year. (Zach Nelson | File Photo)

Fest Frenzy

When students take to the streets for this weekend’s fests, a simple crumpled red Solo cup discarded on the sidewalk can mean the end to a party.

Known technically as the “unlawful deposit of litter or refuse,” this, along with 12 other offenses, gives local police the authority to shut down social gatherings under the current nuisance party law — an enforcement party-throwers should keep in mind as Athens heads into the now-notorious fest season.

Last year’s Palmer Fest went up in smoke after a house fire at 11 Palmer St., with Mayor Paul Wiehl putting an end to the street party by designating it a riot. Afterwards, a task force comprised of law enforcement and city officials suggested stricter enforcement of the nuisance party law.

The law defines such a party as any “social gathering” that is “within the city” that law enforcement deems a nuisance. Actions that could lead police to shut down a party range from illegal open containers to unlawfully loud noise.

Once police label the party a nuisance, the law allows them to put an end to the gathering and force party-goers to “leave the premises immediately.

“We will follow the same stricter enforcement policy we implemented at the beginning of the school year regarding nuisance parties,” Athens Police Chief Tom Pyle said in an earlier interview.

In the past, it took four offenses to shut down a party, but in 2009, an amendment to the law allowed police to crack down after just one offense.

Money spent on the fests this year will be similar to the amounts of past years, Pyle said in an email, with spending “somewhere in the 60k to 100k range for all fests combined.”

Even with a stricter enforcement of the nuisance law, Caitlin Stone, a junior studying video production and a learning community peer mentor, said fest season should not be a problem if revelers simply take caution.

“Students should be mindful of their surroundings,” Stone said. “The fests take place where fellow students live, and you are surrounded by friends and other Bobcats who are trying to enjoy themselves, too.”

Fests and nice weather can provide a chance to hang out on respective streets and backyards without mass arrests or arson putting an end to the fun, Stone said. And for Stone, the fests are more about coming together and enjoying local talent than getting out of control.

“My favorite part is the music scene,” she said. “You could go to a rock show … or hear our great local DJs and rappers take the stage.”

Dominic Petrozzi, founder of Number Fest, said a good fest experience comes down to the attendees being responsible. The biggest thing is to use values “formed back in kindergarten,” he added, namely using the buddy system, looking out for friends and knowing your limits.

“Act your age and not your shoe size,” Petrozzi said.

ds834910@ohiou.edu

 

If You Go:

Milliron Fest: March 15

Mill Fest: March 16

High Fest: March 23

11Fest: April 13

Palmer Place Fest: April 19

Palmer Fest: April 20

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