Everything you need to know about Athens Halloween

For the first time since 1998, the Halloween block party in uptown Athens on Saturday will actually fall on All Hallows' Eve, Oct. 31.

Costumes and masks there will be on Saturday, in abundance, as Athens celebrates the 34th year of the tradition that's become known as the "œMardi Gras of the Midwest."

This year's event will again feature a beer garden, costume contest and Halloween Village. A brochure from the Athens Clean & Safe Halloween Committee estimates that crowds of more than 25,000 costumed tourists, students and area residents attend the celebration each year.

The committee has announced the return of two stages on North and South Court streets, featuring 15 bands and DJs. The Budweiser Beer Garden is back as well, and will be set up on East Union Street, near the College Green and the corner of Court and Union streets.

As with last year, the beer garden will be encircled by a snow fence in order to keep people from sneaking in, and a security crew will patrol the perimeter. Guests to the beer garden will have to show picture IDs in order to get into the fenced-in area, and show their IDs again in order to purchase beer. No one under the age of 21 will be allowed in the beer garden. The main idea behind a beer garden, committee chair Jonathan Holmberg has said, is to raise money to help the city pay for the event.

Halloween Village will be set up in the parking lot on Court Street between Attractions and Lucky's Tavern, and will feature a stage for a Monster Energy Costume Contest and an area for vendors. The contest will give participants a chance at monetary and sponsorship prizes. The contest will take place from 6-11 p.m. and winners will be announced at midnight.

Public portable johns will be set up on the opposite side of the street from Halloween Village.

Because Daylight Saving Time ends at 2 a.m. Sunday, clocks will be turned back to 1 a.m. at that time, and Court Street will remain open an additional hour. It is up to the bars' own discretion as whether or not to stay open for that additional hour.

At his weekly press conference, Athens Mayor Paul Wiehl reminded uptown business owners that Halloween is a glass-free event. He said that Court Street will be closed Saturday morning at 7:30.

Police Capt. Tom Pyle said at the conference that the APD will have additional police assistance over the weekend, but declined to give specific figures.

"We will have a considerable force over the weekend," he said.

As far as safety tips, Pyle encouraged responsible drinking, as opposed to drinking to extreme excess.

"That's where people get into trouble "“ the people who are so intoxicated that they don't know what they're doing," he said.

Committee member Michael McSteen offered some additional tips, including having the address and phone number of the place people are staying for the night, being careful about parking and being careful not to let strangers pass out on the couch.

Only Ohio University staff and students with the proper permit can park on campus over the weekend. Campus parking lots will be closed to visitors from 3 p.m. Friday to 7 a.m. Sunday, and temporary or time-restricted passes will not be valid. The Baker University Center garage will close to the public at 5 p.m. on Friday and remain closed until 8 a.m. Sunday.

Halloween weekend parking is available at the Athens County Fairgrounds. Gates open at 11 a.m. Friday, Oct. 30 and will remain open all weekend. The cost for the entire weekend (Friday, Oct. 30 to Monday, Nov. 2) is $20. Single-day parking may be purchased for $10. A shuttle will transport visitors from the fairgrounds to the uptown area for a fee.

Students living in residence halls may have one registered guest, according to the university. Guests must have paid a $25 registration fee and are the responsibility of their host.