Ohio University hosted a variety of events to greet students coming back to campus for Welcome Week, including a field day, petting zoo, involvement fair and more. The week was capped off by UPC’s drag show in the Baker Ballroom on Saturday.
The Slab, a house venue at 10 Elliot St. in Athens, hosted Slabstock ‘26 on Saturday, its first show of the year. Nine different bands and DJ groups from around the state, including Athens, Columbus and Cincinnati as well as The Fraternals, a band from Orlando, Florida, gathered at the DIY venue for a day of moshing, music and more.
The Athens Gravel Challenge, put on by the Team Athens Cycling club, took place once again at the Bailey’s Trail System in the Wayne National Forest after cancelling last year’s race. Over 150 riders across 17 categories and three courses gathered at the Chauncey-Dover Trailhead in Chauncey, Ohio, to race across the gravel roads and singletrack trails in the national forest. Riders competed in the “enduro,” or 54-mile, “steady,“ or 37.5-mile and “nimble,“ or 22.-mile courses. After the race, riders were welcomed back to Chauncey with beer, refreshments and food.
Athens celebrated the 250th birthday of the United States of America on Saturday, July 4, 2026 on Court Street in uptown. Events included parades, a hot dog eating contest, a boxing match, games and more for attendees to celebrate Independence Day.
The Athens Pride parade and street fair, put on by the Southeastern Ohio Rainbow Alliance, drew hundreds of attendees to uptown Athens on June 6, 2026. The parade had over a dozen different groups marching and the street fair included various vendors and resource booths as well as a drag show with five performers.
The Athens Festival of Colors, inspired by the Indian holiday Holi, features music, cultural performances and an Indian dance lesson took place on West State Street Park, April 12, 2026. Participants also had the opportunity to toss colored powder, a Holi tradition meant to symbolize joy, equality and community.
Fans welcome the hockey team back to campus, outside Bird Ice Arena, after their win at the ACHA National Championship game, March 18, 2026, in Athens.
Bobcat Battalion cadets and first responders participate in the 9/11 Stair Challenge in Peden Stadium at Ohio University in Athens, Sept. 11, 2025. The challenge is to remember the FDNY fire fighters who climbed 2,200 steps and 110 stories at the World Trade Center Towers. The cannon is fired during the start, when the second plane hit and for the final lap.
Ohio defeats Bucknell with a score of 3-1 at the Bobcat Invitational, Aug. 29, 2025, in the Convo. Photos by Jackson McCoy
Ohio students enjoy the first week on campus with a petting zoo, drag show, block party, and more during Welcome Week. Photos by Ethan Herx, Talitha Maloy, and Megan VanVlack
Hundreds of people gathered along East State Street in Athens during the nationwide 'Hands-Off' protests against the Trump administration, Elon Musk and Project 2025, April 5, 2025.
Mom’s Weekend opened with a talk from Dance Mom’s star, Abby Lee Miller, during an event hosted by the Ohio University Program Council. In addition, students and their moms took to Court Street for shopping and restaurant visits as well as a ceramics sale next to Jennings House, on OU’s North Green.
Charles Wesley Godwind, a country-folk artist, performed at OU’s Templeton Blackburn Memorial Auditorium Tuesday for the school’s annual music industry summit.
From Wednesday to Friday, students and residents protested across Athens for several different reasons. From small business closures to demanding protections for DEI, there was no shortage of demands and emotion for change across Athens.
Mitchell Tenpenny performed with special guest Jordan Gray in Ohio University’s Templeton Blackburn Memorial Auditorium, Feb. 23, 2025.
Residents of Columbus demonstrated against Elon Musk and the Trump Administration's Department of Government Efficiency at a Tesla dealership Saturday. Along with other grassroots organizations, the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations organized the protest to draw attention to the alleged threats DOGE and Musk represent to Americans' data, rights to health and safety, salaries and basic services.
Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant a large-carnivore ecologist and a fellow with National Geographic Society, presented and took questions from OU students in Baker Ball Room, Feb. 5, 2025.
Ohio Men and Women's basketball took on Miami in a battle for the bricks in Oxford, Feb. 1, 2025.
Swim and Dive defeated Eastern Michigan at home after a two day meet in the Aquatic Center.
Ohio University football players and head coach, Brian Smith, gathered in Front Room in Baker Center to celebrate the team’s Cure Bowl win from this past December.
Solutions by The State News