Sleeveless neon jerseys and matching sunglasses, brimming plastic cups and grinning faces; it’s already the end of another fest season in Athens and students are ready to relieve their academic rigors with a little fun.
The fest season culminates in the illustrious Number Fest, an event created and organized by Ohio University alumnus Dominic Petrozzi.
The one-day music festival will come to The Venue, off West State Street, kicking off at 1 p.m. and ending at 11 p.m. The annual event is going on its eleventh year and has expanded substantially since its beginnings.
Musical artists include Grammy-nominated rapper Wiz Khalifa, acclaimed EDM artist Carnage, eclectic artist GRiZ, and rapper Stalley, an Ohio native and artist on Rick Ross’s popular rap label Maybach Music Group. The show will feature other Ohio natives to showcase local music, with DJ Loco and rapper Jola the Trunk Boi making appearances.
New additions this year promise to satisfy even avid festers, featuring a fully functional bar and beer garden, cell phone charging stations, free transportation, new ATMs and a musical lineup composed of some of the biggest names ever hosted.
One of the most obvious additions to this year’s festival is the beer garden, where attendees will be able to purchase drinks with tickets worth $1 each. No outside alcohol will be allowed in the garden and all alcohol purchased in the garden must be consumed before leaving. Petrozzi promised a plethora of choices, with brews from Labatt to Magic Hat. All garden proceeds are being used in conjunction with Athens Bulldog Blitz, a non-profit charity that funnels money into Athens County schools for funding assistance.
There will also be a margarita bar sponsored by Jose Cuervo and a Monster-Jager-bomb-bar sponsored by Monster Energy Drinks and Jagermeister.
Transportation will be much easier than in previous years, Petrozzi said. For the fest’s “Don’t Drink and Drive” campaign, organizers are providing free bus shuttles running all day.
The buses will begin operating out of Athens Fairgrounds on West Union Street at 12:30 p.m. Fest organizers have also partnered with the taxi service 549-RIDE to have vans operating from many locations in town.
However, the Athens County Sheriff’s Office will be placing an emphasis on those acting in a dangerous manner riding in the bed of a pickup truck on their way to the fest, Cpt. Bryan Cooper said. If sheriff’s deputies notice anyone acting out of line, they will ticket the driver of the vehicle. This is not a new rule, but rather stricter enforcement of what is already in place.
This year’s fest doesn’t just have an impressive lineup; it is operated with safety in mind.
As part of their Greencup campaign, fest organizers are forbidding cans and bottles in favor of plastic cups in an effort to reduce projectiles.
“The only thing that can deter a good time is somebody trying to ruin it,” Petrozzi said. “We have a zero-tolerance policy toward fights, fires and belligerence in general.”
The fest organizers are teaming with local authorities to make sure it remains all fun and games and that no attendee gets hurt.
“Contrary to what some may think, we’re working with the local heroes, not against them,” Petrozzi said. “The Athens Police Department, Fire Department, and EMS medical staff will all be onsite, among other personnel. We want people to have the time of their lives and stay safe while doing it.”
And festgoers, it seems, are already prepared to have the time of their lives.
“I won two tickets from Carnage,” Hocking College student Poy Alpan said. “I just wrote on a Facebook post and he picked my comment. I went to #HalfTime with Riff Raff and that was a blast. So I’m really excited for this year, it’s probably the biggest one they’ve ever had.”
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If You Go:
What 12Fest
When 1 p.m., Saturday
Where The Venue, W. Union St.
Admission $40
12 Fest Rules:
Cans of beer must be poured into cups, either provided by volunteers at 12Fest or brought by the attendee.
Cases can still be carried around but once opened the beverage must be in a cup.
You must be of legal drinking age to enter the designated bar area and all beverages must be finished in the bar before leaving. You enter without a drink and you leave without a drink.
This year the Athens County Sheriff’s Office will be more strict on those riding in the bed of a pickup truck in a dangerous manner.
