With just two short days left until the big day, energy levels and anticipation are at an all time high for the students of Bloomsburg. Hopefully by now, you’ve stocked your fridge, bought your booze, and picked out a killer outfit. My hope is that most of us will be busy kick starting the weekend festivities the moment we finish classes on Friday. This in mind, part three will serve as your final installment to the expert’s guide on how to Block Party like a pro.
You’ve made it to the homestretch! If you’ve done your Block Party homework mentioned in Part I & II, you’re ready for the real stuff. Remember, the goal for this Saturday is to get the most out of your day with the least amount of drama. Here’s your final set of tips to make Block Party 2014 your best one yet.
1. Don’t go too hard on Friday.
Although the holiday cheer will begin the moment that classes end, this does not mean that you should treat it like the actual day of Block Party itself. Trust me, I learned this one the hard way. Going too hard the night before is a great way to ruin the big day altogether. Students of BU wake up at the crack of dawn on the morning of Block Party to begin festivities. Nothing is worse than starting the day with a wicked hangover.
2. Get an early start. If you’re not a morning person, on Saturday you’re going to have to pretend to be. Haven’t you ever heard of kegs and eggs?! Ladies, set your alarm for 8 a.m. and only allow yourself three “snoozes.” We all know how long it takes to get ready, so make sure you’re not the last one out of bed. People are ambitious on Block Party morning – they’ll go as far as to crack their first Natty Ice in the shower. Trying to play catch up with your drunk friends is never fun. Avoid the issue and just get up!
3. Eat a good breakfast.
Choosing to skip breakfast is pretty much choosing to pass out and puke by 2 p.m. Have a big, filling meal. If you plan on picking up a bagel from Dunkin or Bloomin, get there before 9 a.m. – any time after, the lines are unreal. My suggestion? Cook your own feast. Block Party is a Bloomsburg holiday and should be treated as such. Break out the spatula and throw some bacon on the stove for you and your roomies. If you’re living in the dorms and this luxury isn’t available, do the next best thing. Hit up the 8th wonder of the world that is the Commons breakfast, and don’t be shy in grabbing seconds. You’re gonna need all the fuel you can get for the long day ahead of you.
4. Pace yourself.
The most important thing to remember about Block Party is that it’s a marathon, not a sprint. The goal is to last as long as physically possible. If you slam 12 shots in your first hour, chances are you’ll be out for the count before noon. If you’re going to drink liquor, make a mixed drink and take it easy. Same goes if you’re drinking beer. A funnel here and there is perfectly fine, but six to the face in 10 minutes is a recipe for disaster. Be smart and pace yourself, otherwise you’ll look like a textbook freshman.
5. Never travel alone.
There is strength in numbers. Walking around by yourself is probably one of the worst decisions to make during Block Party, because police are much more likely to stop you if you’re by yourself. The larger your group, the less likely you are to get into trouble.
6. Designate a weak link.
This being said, always make sure there is a member of your group that you’re sure you can outrun. As ruthless as this one is, it may end up saving your a**.
7. Leave the open beer at the party.
Even so much as stepping onto your front porch with an open container is enough for the cops to arrest you. And on a day like Block Party, they’re snipers for that sort of thing. If you think you’ll be fine, you probably won’t. It’s always better to be safe than sorry. Keep the open beers inside the house or inside of the fence. Carry your alcohol in an opaque water bottle or a backpack.
8. A wristband doesn’t serve as a 21+ I.D.
Just because you’ve purchased a wristband for a permitted party zone doesn’t mean that you’re invincible. Cops in the past have been known to stake out just beyond the fences of these permitted areas and card people on their way out. Be smart when leaving these venues and again, leave in groups.
9. B.Y.O.T.P.
Ladies, this is a big one. We all know how quickly public bathrooms run out of toilet paper. Pack some extra TP in your cross body bag or satchel. Use it stealthily, however, because once one chick sees your TP, it’s as good as gone. Face it ladies, when we’re drunk, we love to share.
10. Take a nap.
Although the goal is to stay out as long as you can during Block Party, don’t try to champ the whole day and continue into the night. An hour power nap will go a long way. My suggestion would be around 6 p.m., as parties start to wind down and people begin running out of energy. Try not to zonk out for the rest of the night, but if you do, know that it’s not uncommon. More people end up calling it a night than those who make it back out for round two.
11. Don’t act a fool.
We’ve all read the articles and watched the videos from Block Party 2013, so we know how seriously the police take this day. What used to be a threat of an underage or open container citation has now turned to the risk of being sprayed with teargas or violently tackled to the ground. I think it’s safe to say that the cops proved to the students of BU last year that they’re done messing around. This is not at all to say that you shouldn’t enjoy yourself on the day of Block Party. However, it’s a reminder that you will be held accountable for your actions. Be smart about the way that you conduct yourself in public. Use your brain, be mature, and don’t test the police… because they’ll win every time.
HAPPY BLOCK PARTY! :)