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 “Mardi 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.
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