There were 57 arrests at this year’s Palmer Fest — a 42 percent increase from the 33 made last year.
Although this year’s Palmer Fest was host to near-freezing temperatures, that didn’t stop more people from attending the event — and getting arrested — compared to last year’s, which was riddled with rain.
“It feels just like a tailgate,” said Kelly Fields, a senior studying communication. “I feel like people aren’t going to stop partying just because it’s cold.”
There were 57 arrests at this year’s Palmer Fest — a 42 percent increase from the 33 arrests made last year.
The Athens Police Department arrested 17 people on alcohol-related offenses, according to a city news release.
Meanwhile, the Ohio University Police Department arrested 16 people on 20 alcohol-related offenses.
The Ohio Investigative Unit arrested 24 people, including one arrest for a drug-related charge and one arrest for an escape from detention.
Many of the partiers suggested that a stricter police presence — not the weather — was the main factor preventing the event from reaching its full potential.
Athens Police Chief Tom Pyle said the police department had shut down five houses by 1:30 p.m. that were in violation of the city’s Nuisance Party Ordinance. By 3 p.m., seven or eight houses had been shut down.
Athens Mayor Paul Wiehl, who drove through Palmer Street near the beginning of the fest, said “perseverant” seemed to be the best word to describe the partygoers who arrived early.
“They’re all being very perseverant in spite of the cold,” he said. “I would hope it’s going to be quiet and a nice party.”
Many festers sought to combat the cold through inebriation.
“I’ve got extra pants on and some Under Armour,” said Sean Plagens, a fifth-year student studying accounting. “Once you get some beer in you, you get warm.”
Michael Conti, a freshman studying sports management, said he was trying to “keep it tropical” by wearing a Hawaiian shirt to the fest.
“It’s not too bad when the sun’s out,” he said.
Partiers were seen wearing everything from kilts to footie pajamas.
“I saw a girl in shorts, so clearly the weather's not affecting anyone,” said Chelsea Brown, who was in town from Philadelphia.
The weather didn’t stop partiers from making some questionable decisions either.
“I’ve seen people doing handstands on kegs,” said Kalie Hennessy, a University of Cincinnati student.
Shelby Scott, a 2014 OU alumnus and veteran fester, lamented that fests have mellowed out a lot more in recent years.
“My friend was jumping over a couch on fire one year,” she said.
She said she still remembered the infamous 2012 Palmer Fest, when police declared the event a riot and brought in armored vehicles to maintain order.
“It’s crazy that fests are being shut down by 1 p.m.,” she said, but added that this year’s Palmer Fest was “still epic.”
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Pyle said Palmer Fest is generally much easier on patrol officers, but harder on students.
“If anything, Palmer Street is a benefit to us because it is a much smaller area, so we don’t have to be spread as thin,” he said. “The problem for festing is that it’s too compact, people can’t get into the yards ... people start hanging out on the street, and that’s an instant violation to get a house shut down.”
By 4:30 p.m., most of the parties were over, but that didn’t stop house parties from spreading to Mill Street and Palmer Place.
“If the weather stops somebody, they should just transfer,” said Anthony Burke, a sophomore studying business.
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