I. “There is as much history in the bars of Athens, Ohio as there is in any dorm, classroom or student center. For every memory made over coffee in the old or new Front Room, hundreds more were made on bar stools and in booths at various local watering holes. For every lesson taught in a classroom, many more were taught on the sidewalks of Court Street just after last call-- sometimes by the professors themselves! And for every connection that began on the brick streets...well, it's safe to say that many of those were fostered just as much over a brewske than any amount of school pride.” One could argue that there is no larger chunk of history made on Court Street than on Halloween every year. Imagine 30,000 + people all dressed up in ridiculous costumes, the entire town of Athens population doubling over night, a street so crowded that you get absolutely no cell phone service. The 3rd largest block party in the country trailing only New Years Eve in Times Square and Mardi Gras. Halloween in Athens figures to be a night full of mistakes you’ll surely regret, but nonetheless a night full of memories you’ll never forget.
II. This drunken holiday began taking over Court Street in 1974. The university itself funded the event from 1977-1979. Due to the immense amount of crime and risk brought to the city, OU figured it would take the 80’s off. This didn’t stop the party though. Every year the students took in upon themselves to make Halloween a success every year. A large amount of student support was the main reason the University began sponsoring the fall festival once again in 1990. Yes, STUDENTS. The majority of the population of this famous block party is made up of Ohio University students. Shocker, right? It’s actually not as Bobcat dominated as you would think though as many jealous friends come to visit every October to live the legend themselves.
III. I actually happen to be an Ohio University student! As well as my dad who graduated in 1988. He would always tell me about stories about Halloween in Athens and rave about this place like the greatest place on earth. Here I am now, a 2nd generation Bobcat, I was indeed here for Halloween and it more than lived up to the hype. It was great being able to go home and tell my parents all the stories about how much water I drank at the library that night.
IV. In a country full of so much change over the last 40 years there seems to be very few things that the government hasn’t ruined and has been fun year in and year out. (Although they did change the drinking age to 21) But here in good ole Athens Ohio we have managed to make it happen every year.
V. Today I will tell you all about Halloween in Athens Ohio. The good, the bad, and the ugly.

I. It all started on October 31st 1974. A group of costumed students flooded Court Street essentially creating their own roadblock for 2 hours. They actually prevented a semi-trucks delivery to what used to be a Baskin Robins on West Union. Who knew that this mini takeover of Court Street would turn into one of the most famous traditions in colleges across America.
a. Throughout the history of Halloween in Athens 1975 is the only year that is a blur. There is actually little to no information at all on what happened that fall in Athens. We’ll call it the blackout year. I mean we are Bobcats.
b. 1976 may have been the most reckless Halloween. Court Street was poppin as usual with over 500 people flooding the streets, but when the street closed down at 11 p.m. riot broke out. People were breaking bottles, jumping on cars, and even starting fires. Only 15 arrests were made that year. A humiliated police force took their anger out on the local government as all fingers pointed towards the mayor. The mayor at the time had no choice but to resign. To recap, in 1976 we partied the mayor out of office.
c. 77 is when the school stepped in. It seemed like a great move at the time, money would go