It’s the most wonderful time of the year!
April is widely known among the student population as the holiday season of Bloomsburg. Throughout the month, students are cheerful and overjoyed with anticipation of our most celebrated holiday of the year—often compared to Christmas—Block Party. If you’re never had the opportunity to experience the magic of Block Party in all of its wonder, let me begin by welcoming you to the best and most anticipated day of the year as a BU student. On the other hand, if you’ve attended Block Party in the past and you don’t consider it to be one of your fondest memories, something tells me that you’ve probably been doing it wrong.
From a graduating senior that’s seen it all – rain and shine, bearcats and teargas, house parties and party permits – I’d like to offer some insight on the do’s, don’ts, and loopholes that will aid in making Block Party 2014 your best one yet.
Like most successful events, one cannot expect to prosper without proper planning. This holds especially true for Block Party. Here are some helpful tips in preparing for the big day.
1. Party with a PermitOne way to guarantee that you won’t fall victim to an alcohol-related arrest is to party where the cops can’t get to you. Kappa Sigma and ATO are infamous for their Block Party throw-downs. Wristbands are typically sold for $5-$10, depending on your affiliation with Greek life. If both venues are sold out, don’t panic – there’s always a loophole. Besides the obvious advantage that we colliegettes possess – being female – there are a few other ways to get past the bouncers if you missed the presale. On the morning of Block Party, both organizations typically sell the leftover wristbands that were never picked up during the week. In addition, if you’re willing to get your flirt on and/or offer up some extra cash, you can usually get the bouncers to let you in on the day of the event. Although the cost may seem a bit steep for those of us ballin’ on a budget, I can promise that the price is worth it. There’s music, tons of people, and it’s safe. And on a day that we’ve all learned to be as police-infested as Block Party, an event with a party permit is really your best bet.
2. Buy Your Booze EarlyLike… TODAY. Block Party is Bloomsburg’s biggest drinking day of the year, when even the lightest of partiers are known to get their drank on. The longer you wait to purchase your drink of choice, the less likely liquor stores or beer distributors are to have it in stock. And as the time between now and Saturday grows shorter, the lines at these stores are only growing longer.
3. Make a Killer PlaylistEveryone knows that a party is nothing without the proper underscore. Whether it’s a pump-up-pregame mix or the entertainment for the main event, collaborate with friends to create a lineup that will please everyone. Mix it up with some throwbacks – you can never go wrong with Destiny’s Child!
4. Choose Your Guests WiselyWhile sharing Block Party with your best friends from home may seem like a brilliant idea, hosting visitors can unfortunately end up backfiring more often than not. If your friends get lost or too sloppy-drunk, you may find your role switching from partner in crime to babysitter. If you plan on hosting guests, make sure that you trust whomever you invite to enjoy the day with you, and not ruin it.
5. Put the “Fun” in FunnelAs cliché as it may sound, you really can’t go wrong with the purchase of a good ole’ beer bong. Not only will you have a blast utilizing this effective tool with your friends, but you may even end up the life of the party! People flock to the funnel, it’s an essential part of any day-drinking festivity.
6. Stock Up on Must-Have MunchiesIf you think you’ve experienced impatience at the pizza shops in Bloomsburg on a Saturday night, you ain’t seen nothin’ yet. Block Party drunk munchies are an epidemic that hits everyone, hard, all day long. To avoid obnoxiously long lines and two-hour-plus delivery times, go grocery shopping before the big day. Drunk munchies are the easiest to satisfy, so you don’t have to get too crazy with this one. If nothing else, at least you’ll have an appetizer to snack on while you wait for the main course to be delivered.
7. Select the Proper Carry-OnLet’s face it, your Bud Lite Lime and hot pink, bedazzled funnel aren’t going to transport themselves. While it’s important for your bag to be study and dependable, make sure that it’s something you won’t be devastated about losing. Although an $8 book bag from WalMart might not be the best accessory to set off your daisy dukes and patterned cardi, it’s a hell of a lot better than accidentally leaving your Michael Kors satchel in a parking lot.
8. Rent a Good MovieAlthough the ultimate goal is to make it back out for round two at night, let’s face it – not all of us can hang. To prepare for the classic surrender, make sure you have ample entertainment material to take your mind off of your evening hangover.
while on the subject…
9. Prepare for the Weirdest Hangover of Your LifeIt may not be intense, but it’ll come at an intensely awkward time. Experiencing the aftermath of a serious drinking session at 7 p.m. is one of the strangest and least fun things in the world. Make sure to add a case of water to your pre-Block-Party-grocery-list…maybe two, depending on the number of people that will be in your apartment or dorm room on the big day.
Look out for Part II of “How to Block Party Like a Pro,” which will feature a complete outfit guide!