Hundreds of costumed students, from ghouls and witches to pop-culture inspired figures, flood the streets near the North gates each year at the Carlotta Street Halloween party.
“It’s kind of like its own little parade of freak shows,” said mass communication junior Laura Citron.The annual block party, located off State Street, will begin Saturday at 10 p.m. More than 2,500 Facebook.com members reported that they plan to attend.
Thirteen-year Carlotta Street resident Louis Temento said most of the people who live on the street enjoy the party from their houses, but their goal is not to have an open house party.
“I’ve left my house open and come back to my house to find 50 people I don’t know crammed in my apartment waiting in line for my bathroom and helping themselves to the bar,” he said. “Walking in and seeing people dancing on my coffee table – I think that’s fun.”
Citron said the party is unique because it’s near the University.
“When you’re in college, you’re already given freedom, and if you put a Halloween block party near campus, the freedom just flourishes, and you see it everywhere,” Citron said.
Citron said the Carlotta party costumes are more creative than others.
“It’s basically no-risk Halloween. You’re free to do whatever, and people totally do,” Citron said.
This past year Citron saw everything from Terry Schiavo’s feeding tube to someone dressed as their own Facebook wall. She said she was going to wear a store-bought Rainbow Brite costume but didn’t want to “cop out,” so she decided to make her own Amy Winehouse costume instead. Though hundreds normally attend this party, the Office of Traffic Engineering said no permit has been issue for a road closure on Carlotta Street.
“All we’re asking is that people obey the traffic laws we have set,” said BRPD Corp. L’Jean McKneely. He said attendees should try not to park on private property because their cars may be towed.
Temento said in past years the person who had lived on the street the longest ordered a permit to block off the street. He said the residents put up money to rent a beer truck for people to drink from so they didn’t have to bring their own drinks.
“Nobody checked IDs; it was wonderful,” Temento said.
Temento said the atmosphere of the party changed when the state started holding fraternities responsible for underage drinking and policies around campus changed. He said the police always attend the party.
“Because it’s such a large crowd, we get calls about people being drunk and acting in a disorderly manner,” McKneely said.
He said there aren’t many calls about the party because most of the residents of the street are college students who attend.
The party has been conducted without a permit since 2000. Temento said the block party lost its permit after an incident involving some of the party-goers throwing rocks at a tow truck. That year, the event had corporate sponsors with stages and refreshments. The party was publicized on the radio, and there were more people than in previous years.
“It’s very important that people understand we don’t have the right to do this,” Temento said. “The police let us do this.”
——Contact Emily Holden at [email protected]