Welcome back from spring break, Bobcats! We're halfway through spring semester, and you all know what that means -- the infamous fest season is well on its way.
Each weekend will soon be comprised of the beloved streets of OU overrun with students and police officers on their horses, beer cans littering lawns, and bad consequences for people who were simply not prepared.
Whether you're a first-year student, an out-of-towner, or an upperclassmen with years of fest experience, we could all use a lesson (or reminder) of what to do and not to do during this magical time of Ohio University's spring semester.
1. DO drink responsibly.
This should go without saying. Whatever your age, be mindful of your surroundings; one wrong move could end in a confrontation you don't want. Be smart!
2. DO go with a group of friends.
Walk down Mill Street or enjoy Palmer Fest with your whole posse. Who cares about someone yelling "freshmen!" at you? You could be a senior and some people will still think you're a freshman (believe me). Fest season is much more fun when you're experiencing it with a group of good friends.
3. DON'T destroy someone else's house.
If you don't have a house or apartment of your own, you probably don't understand all of the stress that comes with it, especially during fest season. You wouldn't want anyone, especially people you don't know, coming into your humble abode and making a mess, breaking, or stealing your belongings. Respect whatever home you're in and the people in it.
4. DO wear a fanny pack.
The 90s will never go out of style, and fanny packs are just plain convenient, especially during fest season. There's just enough room to fit the essentials: keys, ID, money, phone, a bottle opener perhaps. A full backpack is a little much, and will definitely get uncomfortable if it's stuffed to the nines.
5. DO bring toilet paper.
You are going to break the seal, and you are going to need a restroom. Chances are, whatever house or apartment you wander into could eventually run out of toilet paper. And, ladies, we all know that's never fun. Bring some toilet paper (or snag a little from a friend's house) and share it among everyone in line for the bathroom. You'll make some great friends.
6. DO fully charge your phone before you leave.
As college students living in an iPhone-consumed world, we should know this to be a basic rule of every day life. Sometimes we can get away without a full charge, but fest season is a different story. You'll need your phone to stay in communication with friends for obvious reasons: separation, meeting with people, etc. Even if you think you won't be gone all day, or you'll have a place to charge your phone, things change and you probably won't want to leave your phone unattended under any circumstance. Plus, there's always a chance for a photo-op, and you'll definitely want those pictures.
7. DO be prepared to be hungry.
Whether you'd rather bring money to eat somewhere, bring snacks, or hope a friend of a friend will take a break to make everyone some pizza rolls, you're going to need food. At the very least, eat a decent breakfast before you go anywhere.
8. DON'T be a drunken mess at a food establishment.
I know you're craving Chipotle, but it's not worth it if you can barely communicate whether you want white or brown rice. Respect all businesses and employees, and only eat out if you're fully aware of what's going on.
9. DO wear the right shoes.
Flip-flops? No-go. Combat boots? Better, but not the best. Tennis shoes? Vans? Perfect. Even if you know it's going to be dry and sunny all day, the hoards of people and constant standing/walking will be a nightmare with the wrong shoes. Dress for comfort; your feet will thank you.
10. DO dress in layers.
It's Ohio. You should expect that you're going to go from freezing, to sweaty, to freezing again all in one day. Layers are your best bet during fest season.
11. DO bring sunscreen.
Even if the forecast for the day is cloudy and/or rainy, you may end up outside all day, and it may clear up. Always have sunscreen with you; no one wants a farmer's tan.
12. DON'T step onto the sidewalk.
If you're a fest season veteran, you should be very aware of this rule, but can still sometimes find yourself breaking it. Unless you're using the sidewalk to get somewhere, you don't want to be on it. There's a fine line between private and public property, between someone's lawn and a public sidewalk. Open container laws are a thing, so keep that in the back of your mind and watch where you're stepping.
13. DO pace yourself.
None of the above matters if you're intoxicated before you even make it to High Street or Palmer Place. Half the fun of fest season is the fact that each fest is, basically, an all-day thing. If your intention is to enjoy the whole day with your friends, you'll definitely want to pace yourself.
14. DO have fun!
Despite all of the things that could go wrong and laws that need to be followed, fest season at Ohio University is truly a magical time. How many schools have weekends dedicated to specific streets and places where the entire community gathers to simply enjoy life and revel in the present moment? Be smart, but have fun and make memories.
Fest season is much more than just drunk college students and an example of OU's party school reputation; its about the atmosphere and the magic of Athens, Ohio.
