Mill, High and Palmer Fests have all come and gone, but a recent announcement has both students and faculty highlighting an unoccupied April date on their calendars.
Park Place Fest, which was announced Monday by the Ohio University Binge Drinking Festivities Council, will take place April 19. The fest will be headquartered at Alden Library, 30 Park Place. There will be a beer olympics held on the third floor, while a beer garden will occupy the second floor near the Park Place entrance.
“I’ve always wanted to crush a beer bong in the middle of the sixth floor stacks,” Clyde Johnson, a senior studying business, said. “Thank god this university is finally deciding to use my money in a productive way.”
In addition, a jungle juice bar will be flowing in President Roger McDougal’s living room, 35 Park Place.
“These students are here for a reason, not a season,” McDougal said. “And that reason will be in my house on April 19.”
McDougal added he is “stoked” for Park Place Fest.
“I’ve always been intrigued by the street fests, but having one on my own driveway will surely be a thrill,” McDougal said. “To quote a musician I have much admiration for, ‘turn down for what?’”
Thad Matheson, a sophomore studying philosophy, said the fest will be a much needed break from his bi-weekly studies.
“My goal is to make a Vine of McDougal and I playing dizzy bat,” Matheson said, adding, “OU, oh yeah!”
Matheson said he attended the previous street fests but has difficulty remembering what exactly he did while he was there.
“It’s not a Saturday afternoon unless I’m blacked out, face-down on a toilet seat,” Matheson said. “And I hear McDougal has one of the best bathrooms in Athens.”
Athens Police Chief Terry Porter said his department will, begrudgingly, be out in full force on the fateful day.
“Just don’t assault the police horses,” Porter said. “I mean come on, these reports come out after every fest. People, can we get hammered without kicking an innocent animal?”
There will be more than 60 kegs at various locations on the street, with prominent university employees running the taps.
“They say this is the best student-centered learning experience in America,” Matheson said. “Can’t wait to finally meet the people who made that statement. Hopefully I can find the library.”
What To Expect at Park Place
Alden 3rd floor: Beer olympics
Alden 2nd floor: Beer garden
McDougal’s living room:
Jungle juice bar
More than 60 kegs at various locations, all operated by prominent university officials.
