Palmer Fest 2001
By Matt Toledo - 5/9/2001
Palmerfest is this Saturday, May 12, 2001! Athens' largest independently run street festival has been a tradition for years. At previous festivals, it wouldn't be uncommon to see semi-sloshed coeds and frat boys crammed into rental hot tubs parked on the front lawn of their house. Kegs piled up in living rooms and back yards, lawns littered with old-soilders, Athens' finest on horseback and bicycle would also be common sites. Weather permitting, this years festival should prove to be no different.
But lets not forget the reason why so many local and regional musicians foam at the mouth at the mere mention of festivals like Palmer Fest, Halloween, and High Fest--a large captive audience! Palmerfest plays live music from 11 am to 11 PM on a home made stage built by residents of Palmer Street to meet city code requirements. In years past, the last bands to play have had crowds in excess of two thousand people.
Unfortunately, at this time the lineup is still in a state of minor Flux. This years concert will feature two of Athens most well-known bands as headliners: Guest and Red Wanting Blue. Other bands on the lineup *should* include Direct Attention, Anne The Drosendoff, Planet 12, The Max Power Trio, Righteous Beans, Cin Coyo, and a few others. Rumor has it that one of the bands slated to play was recently formed by residents of Palmer Street specifically for the show.
I recently talked to Amy Smith, resident of Palmer Street and member of the organization committee in charge of putting the festival together. She is a student at Ohio University studying sociology pre law and political science and calls Pomeroy, Ohio home.
AMN: In years past, delegates from Palmer Street had meetings with the Athens Police to work out details of the event. Did you guys do that again this year?
Amy: We had a meeting with both the APD and OUPD about the safety we should undertake to ensure a fun and safe day. We asked at least one resident from each house on the street to attend the meeting. It lasted from 7 PM to 8 PM and was held last Tuesday at the Church Hall on Stewart.
AMN: What rules did they give you with regards to alcoholic beverages?
Amy: Basically, if you are not 21 - do not drink. It is against the law. Also, not to serve alcohol to minors or in glass containers. Please do not bring bottles to Palmerfest. Serve beer in cups or cans to avoid injury and mess.
AMN: What rules did they give you about crowd control?
Amy: Keep a guest list, if the person trying to get into your party is not on the list and doesn't know you are your house mates directly, don't let them into your party. Their presence at the party is to ensure the safety of the residents and guests. If you are having a problem, call the department and they will get someone over to handle it.
AMN: And what, if anything did they tell you about the bands and the stage?
Amy: The stage will not be set up at or near my house - so I didn't get into great detail with them about that issue. I do know that we have nearly 10 bands that will be playing all day long. The police did mention that near the band stage area is where most problems occur (i.e. open container, fighting ...etc)
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AMN: How did you raise money for this year's Palmer Festival?
Amy: We collected donations of ten dollars each from residents to go toward porta-johns, stage materials, sound equipment, trash cans, etc.
AMN: Are any local businesses helping to sponsor the event?
Amy: Well Uptown Dawg is printing our Tee-shirts for the event. Does that count?
AMN: How did you become involved in the organization of the fest?
Amy: It is hard to get people all together to give their names and phone numbers so my roommate and I put info. Flyers in the mailboxes of each house to get an estimate of the number of people who live on the street and who were will to donate time and money. The boys of 25 palmer initiated the committee to organize palmerfest and I was just one person of many who will make this years palmerfest fun and exciting.
