Catch our updates on the Athens Halloween Block Party every half hour throughout the evening.
1:30 a.m. update
According to the Athens Halloween blog, as of 1 a.m., APD and OUPD had a combined 29 arrests through booking and 37 EMS calls for service, most of which were alcohol-related.
1:30 a.m. update
The streets of Athens have cleared out as night turns to morning. The weather is dropping and everyone seems to have had their fun.
The Athens Police Department said the night was much easier than they had expected it to be.
"The Miami vs. Ohio game didn't really affect the block party as much as we thought it may," said Ron Lucas, Athens' deputy service safety director.
Lucas said that there wasn't much out of the ordinary other than the generator shutting down because of an electrical issue. Without the generator, the South Stage had to be taken down early.
John Withers, APD lieutenant, was guarding the stage when the generator shut down. He believes that could be why the streets were clearing out a bit early.
"It's been a good night on this end," Withers said.
The favorite costume of the night was a black lab disguised as a skunk.
Mayor Paul Wiehl said he had to do a double take when he saw the dog.
Overall, it seemed to be a peaceful night for officers.
"The people are having a good time and they're safe. That's all that's important," Wiehl said.
—Cassie Kelly
1 a.m. update
Slenderman, Julias Caesar, personified upholstry, oh my! From a Victoria's Secret bag to various Game of Thrones characters to a mustard and ketchup duo, Halloween presents the perfect opportunity for folks to become whomever or whatever they wish.
Some costumes, though, were not planned in advance.
Tasha Wheeler, an 18-year-old who is not currently attending a university, came to Halloween as a cowgirl, which she said was a last-minute decision.
"I'm totally from the city, so I thought I'd do a cowgirl," Wheeler said. "I had cowboy boots and a cowgirl hat."
Robert Kurigen, a student from Miami University who was dressed as a dinosaur, also made a quick pick before the start of the block party.
"I was going to be a ghost. ... They made me buy this real quick," Kurigen, a sophomore studying mechanical engineering, said.
Despite the number of Mario and Luigi's who were roaming Court Street, Elizabeth Stahl, a freshman studying psychology and English at Ohio University, and her friend came as the dynamic duo.
"I'm Luigi and my friend from back home is Mario. I honestly had no idea what I was going to be... I had no money.
"We were originally going to do it ourselves," Stahl said.
—Jordan Stickle
12:45 p.m. update
As I set out to gather information for The Post at the dead of midnight on Halloween, I did so in the garb of Steve, the host of Blue's Clues. My notes were written, admittedly haphazardly, in dull green crayon in my very own Handy Dandy notebook, and my sources were more than a bit intoxicated.
That's perfectly fine, however, during Halloween, the one night where anyone can be whatever they want. Halloween is an especially unique night in Athens, bringing together students, alumni and out-of-towners from all across the state under the common banner of Athens spirit.
One such student is Daniel Shapiro, an Ohio University alumnus of two years who traversed time to return to Athens in the guise of the fourth incarnation of The Doctor, the protagonist of the BBC's long-running sci-fi/drama series Doctor Who.
Shapiro was joined in his journey through space and time by other 2011 alumni, all dressed as different incarnations of The Doctor as he has been portrayed by different actors in the past 40 years.
For Shapiro and his friends, Halloween offers a great opportunity to band together and return — for one night — to the town they love.
"We're all graduates, mostly engineersand all Doctor Who fans, to varying degrees," Shapiro said. "We used Halloween as an opportunity for an impromptu reunion."
But Athens welcomes more than just alumni on Halloween night. In the wild parties that break out during witching hour, even parets of students are welcome, such as 45-year-old Dwain Angle.
Angle, dressed as a priest, was joined by his wife Debbie (a pregnant nun) in the Chicken 'N' Waffle line. A regular at Athens parties since his daughter started attending OU three years ago, Angle has no qualms whatsoever about attending house parties with his daughter — though a group of drunken partygoers did once mistake him for an undercover cop.
"We go to house parties all the time," Dwain said. "One time last year, they thought I was a cop."
But, much to the dismay of the underage and wasted, not all Athens cops are party-loving dads in disguise. Ron Lucas, deputy service safety director and public information officer for the Athens Police Department, updated the Athens Halloween blog every hour with arrest numbers and EMS run numbers.
In addition, Lucas told The Post that the generator for South Stage on Union Street failed, and this concert venue will likely have to be shut down for the night as a result.
In spite of the setbacks, however, Lucas said that Halloween night is going well, and that he is glad the students are enjoying themselves.
"We're managing," Lucas said. "People are having a good time, and we're getting by."
Lucas will be giving running updates in press release form until 3 a.m. His releases can be seen on the Athens Halloween and Athens Halloween Block Party Facebook pages.
—Branden Labarowski
12:15 a.m. update
According to the Athens Halloween blog, as of midnight, APD and OUPD had a combined 21 arrests and EMS had 25 calls for service, as well as minor alcohol-related runs.
—Nicolien Buholzer
Midnight update
Despite the seemingly rowdy herd of costumed Court Street-goers, students and locals alike attest that Saturday's festivities have been tame -- for the most part.
Tyler Cline, a sophomore studying computer engineering and computer sciences, said he had been standing outside of Wendy's for an hour watching the festivites roll on by with his friends.
"We were at one of our friend's places, but now we're just standing here trying to make friends," Cline said. "Security's always tight, this isn't different than any other year. We saw some police break up a fight, though."
Those who have seen the most action might just be local business owners. At Goodfella's, 6 W. Union, the line trickled out the door.Ohio University custodian, Kayla Williamson, was getting her chicken and waffle fix at Uptown Grill, 11 W. Union Street.
"There's not really anything unusual going on tonight," Williamson said. "I think security is just making sure everyone is doing what they're supposed to be doing.
One student was to be seen vomiting outside of Torpedo Fries, among a crowd of cheering onlookers. Some local businesses even opted to protect themselves from such after-hours mishaps. Jimmy John's, 16 S. Court Street, shut down its bathrooms for the night and blocked off half of the resturant.
Big Mamma's Burritos, 10 S. Court street, shut its doors entirely at 11 p.m., slapping a sign on its doors explaining that out-of-towners would have damaged its establishment.
—Emma Ockerman
11:50 p.m. update
Athens County Sherriff's Office Lt. Jason Kline said the costume designs this year are very creative based on his observations.
"There's a lot of costumes this year that spans from different eras," Kline said."The best costume I've seen is someone dressed as the famous musician David Bowie."
Logan Black, a student from Rio Grande Community College, said that he believes the number of ambulances and people getting drunk has increased this year. Black also made a few comments about the costumes he has seen at Court Street.
"There is a small section of people who are really creative," he said. "Then there's costumes where people get from Walmart."
—Joshua Lim
11:45 p.m. update
According to the Athens Halloween blog, as of 11:15 p.m., APD and OUPD had 16 arrests combined and EMS has had 21 runs. Athens Fire Department has had zero runs, according to the blog.
—Nicolien Buholzer
11 p.m. update
Activities on Court Street continue to get busier as the Athens Halloween Block Party continues, but for EMS specialists and streetside evangelists, the event has become something of a routine.
Athens County EMS chief Rick Callebs said things are busier this year than they have been in previous years, but that the reports they have received are similar to the reports they get every year: intoxication, people hurting themselves, people tripping and falling.
Callebs said that between the six ambulances and 25 EMS specialists they have on the scene, the event remains as safe as ever.
A group of evangelists meeting at the intersection of Court and Washington streets are also used to the routine of the annual block party.
The evangelists are from several churches around the area and meet every year to talk to participants in the annual block party.
"I've been coming here for 13 years," said Buddy Sammons, one of the evangelists. "We enjoy doing it because we have something good to share."
—William T. Perkins
10:30 p.m. update
According to the Athens Halloween blog, as of 10 p.m., Athens Police Department and Ohio University Police Department have a combined seven arrests on the books, and EMS has had 11 calls for service.
—Nicolien Buholzer
10:20 p.m. update
From costumed students to preachers and local police, things are starting to look up this Halloween as more and more people begin flocking to Court Street.
Though there are hundreds of costumed students, "townies" and out-of-towners Uptown, Amber Pyle, assistant chief of the Athens County EMS, said nothing has been out of the ordinary so far.
"Things started hopping pretty early on," she said. "So far we've just gotten some (intoxication) calls from campus and Court Street. The usual cause."
For Kent and Betsy Foreman, Cincinnati residents visiting their son that goes to Ohio University, the party seems more under control than it was 25 years ago when they visited.
"Back then, it was like the city versus the children; now things seem more under control," Kent said. "I've been to New Orleans before and so far it's been like Mardi Gras meets Halloween; we're loving it."
In terms of costuming, Ohio State University master's student Josh Boley said his favorite outfit he's seen was a group of students dressed as "noodle men."
"They were flailing their arms and running down the street to dubstep music," Boley said. "It was hilarious."
Mike Johnson, owner of Mike's Dog Shack on Court Street, said he's seen a huge increase in sales this year than when he opened his store in 2007.
"We started selling beer here two years ago and it completely changed the attitude and helped keep us in business," Johnson said. "So far, it's been a great night and we've had great sales; maybe it's something in the weather."
—Xander Zellner
10 p.m. update
As people continued gathering for festivities on Court Street, many observers and participants said they hope crowds will grow as the night goes on.
Rachel Zakem, a graduate student studying environmental studies at Ohio University, said she visited the block party as an undergraduate student and expected more people to be on the streets.
"It's not as crazy as I remember, but it's not as late yet," Zakem said. "I'm sure as it gets later on, it'll get to be crazier."
Jeff Scott, an OU alumnus from Cleveland, said he hoped to see as many people as he had in the past.
"A few years ago, you couldn't see the bricks," Scott said. "I was hoping for more."
An OU sophomore studying biological sciences, Jared Prescott said that the low number of people was mostly due to the hour.
"This is less than normal. It's a little early, so I'd love to see what happens on Court Street later," Prescott said.
—Olivia Bower
9:30 p.m. update
In light of an alleged rape on Court Street, students and first responders are reacting very differently to the crowds this Halloween.
Stu Adams, a sophomore studying political science, said this year is not as crowded thus far as last year. I've never had a problem here so I feel safe," he said.
"One incident can't judge the whole campus," Adams, and his friend Ryan Cobb, a sophomore studying political science, said. "We just know Halloween is a good time around here to experiecnce. Especially me, since I've never expericenced it before."
EMS worker Jake Ridenour said this year's festivities haven't been much different than past years.
"So far it hasn't been too bad," Ridenour said. "Hopefuly it stays that way all night, but you know how students are. It's hard to tell.
"As far as the alleged rape goes, if anything I would hope it causes students to be more cautious," Ridenour said. "(I think they might) be a little more cautious of their drunking and other activites; more aware of what's around them. That kind of thing."
—Lucas Daprile
9 p.m. update
As more and more characters from games and TV shows were making their appearance on Court Street and music from three different stages were filling the early dark sky, it was evident that the block party had finally begun.
"We are having a good time," said Justin Moore, 25, from Pittsburgh. "We come here every year for this party."
A group of super heroes drew much attention from revelers as well.
The Phantom Ben Devine, 28, a 2007 alumus, said he and his friends are patroling the street to defeat the crime.
"Also, Cindy Loohoo here is here to spread Christmas cheer," he said, pointing to his friend, Colleen Mescher, who graduated from last year.
—Suhyeon Park
8:20 p.m. update
Monsters, Simpsons characters and minions crept slowly onto Court Street for the Athens Halloween Block Party, but law enforcement said the night was still young.
Ron Lucas, public information officer and deputy service safety director for the city of Athens, said that as of 8 p.m. the night's events were running as they typically would any other year.
"(We have) the same plan as last year," Lucas said.
When asked about whether Homecoming's alleged Court Street rape affected Halloween safety planning, he said "Halloween is its own plan," and therefore differs from Homecoming preparation.
Court Street has been closed off to drivers since approximately 12:30 p.m., and a temporary pedestrian walkway has been added on Mill Street for student's safety as the road is still open to drivers.
Lucas said he will be tallying arrest numbers every hour beginning at 10 p.m., and will update a Facebook blog throughout the night.
—Kelly Fisher
8 p.m. update
Court Street saw limited activity as crowds began to file down the street in the early stages of Saturday's Athens Halloween Block Party.
Live music performaces are happening on stages at the intersections of Court and State streets and Court and Union streets, as well as in the lot between Attractions and Lucky's Sports Bar.
Though there were few law-enforcement personnell on the street between 7 and 7:30 p.m., Captain Bryan Cooper of the Athens County Sheriff's Office was working private security for the TSI apartments, 36 S. Court St.
He said he hadn't witnessed or heard of any problems yet with the event.
"I'll be honest, I normally don't work them because I'm in administration, but I would say so. This is pretty normal," Cooper said.
He added that he was unaware of how many officers were on Court Street at the time and said he had't seen anything too crazy.
One thing Cooper wanted to address was a smaller percentage of partygoers dressing up for the event.
"I'd like to see more of them dress up. Back in the '70s and '80's, it was better," Cooper said. "Everyone dressed up."
Yet, he did have a favorite costume from this year's event.
"My daughter is in love with The Walking Dead, so all of the zombies walking around are pretty cool," Cooper said.
After being in Athens for more than 20 years, and witnessing plenty of Halloweens along the way, Cooper said the event has lost some luster:
"When you get to be an adult, Christmas isn't the same is it?"
—Allan Smith
