Businesses and students prepare for the return of Halloween festivities in Athens
By: Ayden Crowley
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ATHENS, Ohio (WOUB) — Halloween festivities return this weekend to Athens following a Covid-19 hiatus.
After a quiet two years, the block party that takes place this year on Court Street will be anything but.
The party kicks off at 1 p.m. with events for families. Activities include face-painting, a scavenger hunt, and more for younger audiences.
The day proceeds with costume contests and times for trick-or-treating.
But the main attraction for businesses begins at 6 p.m. when students flood Court.
“It will be pretty busy,” said North End employee Mateo Perez. “I mean, we haven’t had anything like this in a while. So I think a lot of business is expected to go through here. But it will be fun, everyone is looking forward to it.”
The adult block party commences with a concert on the intersection of Court and Union Street.
Bars, such as North End, are expecting a return to normality for the spooky season. But with normality comes more planning for the big weekend.
“We obviously have to prep a lot more food,” Perez said. “We are expecting a lot of big crowds coming through, even starting Thursday.”
Where does the weekend rank for businesses? Perez said among the top.
“It’s probably top three for sure,” he said. “It probably goes homecoming, parents weekend, and Halloween so it’s going to be a big one.”
For others, it’s an opportunity to experience the holiday experience for the first time.
Since Covid, students haven’t been able to experience what true OU Halloween has had to offer since 2019.
“I’m mainly excited for the block party,” said Ohio University student Brennan DeRamus. “I’m a junior so I’ve never had it.”
All block party festivities are scheduled to end at 10 p.m. on Oct. 29.