Freshmen enjoy Halloween in Athens

by Jessica Bartlett
FOR THE POST

Editor's Note: The Post ran an article in Friday's edition about four Ohio University first-year students' Halloween expectations. This article focuses on their experiences.

OU freshmen said they mostly enjoyed Halloween weekend, but for Angie Drook, the Athens tradition did not quite meet her expectations.

"It was fun, but I think people made it out to be more fun than it was," said Drook, of Brecksville. "It was too hyped up."

Drook said she went to parties, but trekking Uptown and seeing different costumes were the best parts. Drook also said prepping to be Alecto, a witch in Greek mythology, was a highlight.

But attempting to order a late-night snack was a low point.

"All the pizza places and D.P. Dough stopped answering their phones at 1:30 a.m., so we had to starve," Drook said

Phil Lash, of McArthur, said he played host to guests in his room before journeying Uptown and visiting more parties. Deciding on the best costume proved difficult, but the ambiguously gay duo was among his favorites, he said.

"The best costume was the 10-foot-tall giant penis," he said.

Lash said he chose to dress as a hillbilly instead of the Slim Jim guy, his original costume. The black tooth and plaid shirt were easy to find.

Lash enjoyed the bands but said navigating Uptown among the thick crowd was problematic.

"It took us an hour to get from our dorm to a party, and it's normally a ten minute walk," he said.

Despite the crowds, Lash said he is anticipating next year's street party.

"It was a blast," he said. "There were so many people; it was like Mardi Gras."

Mike McCarthy, of Cincinnnati, said he enjoyed the night, but Court Street was more crowded than he expected.

"I was not prepared for Court Street; I don't think anything could prepare you for it," said McCarthy, who decided to dress as a female tennis player. "I couldn't move, it was so packed, and I kept getting split up from my friends."

He had planned to dress up as rapper Eminem with friends, but the group abandoned the idea.

McCarthy said his favorite costume was the kissing booth.

"That kid got so many kisses. He's the smartest guy," he said.

McCarthy said the only negative of the weekend was the locked doors in residence halls.

The final first-year student, Lauren Colburn of Columbus, said her worries about Halloween safety were dispelled.

"I liked going up Court Street; it was fun and crazy and better than I expected," said Colburn, who chose to dress as a Greek goddess.