Commercial Truck Insurance in Athens, GA

The Wild Rumpus, Athens’ annual Halloween-spirited parade, dominated downtown Saturday night.

Timi Conley is the founder, executive director and “master of ceremonies” of Wild Rumpus, which was held on Oct. 26 this year from 8-11 p.m. Conley, an Athens native, has been putting together Halloween events since his college days. His friend encouraged him to organize a parade in Athens, and in 2009, the Wild Rumpus was born.

“The Wild Rumpus is, at its very basic level, like this primal expression of Halloween, wild energy, and it consists of an all-invited, all-inclusive parade,” Conley said.

The parade also extended into a day full of festivities, including pre-parade and post-parade parties and an Open Container Festival Zone that lasted from 3 p.m. to 1 a.m.

Conley spends the entire year preparing for this day; he organizes fundraising, security and performances, and creates the art and theme.

Conley bases each year’s theme on the astrological calendar. 2024 is the year of Cancer, ruled by the moon, which is why this year’s theme was set to be “Moon Lit!”

According to Conley, the purpose of the parade is to “celebrate your wild spirit,” but it is also a creative event.

“Number one: dress up,” Conley said. “This is something to exercise your creativity.”

Mythical creatures, movie and children’s characters, celebrities and more walked the streets.

Mary Delaplane, owner of The Dress Up Box, a costume shop in Athens, dressed as Mary from the nursery rhyme “Mary Had a Little Lamb.”

“The costumes is my favorite part. And the excitement,” Delaplane said.

Every year, Conley dresses as Max from the children’s picture book “Where the Wild Things Are,” the thematic inspiration for Wild Rumpus.

“I start the parade. I’m the one that says, ‘Let the wild rumpus start,’” Conley said.

At 8 p.m. sharp, after Conley’s cue, the Wild Rumpus parade proceeded downtown from the intersection of West Hancock Avenue. and Pulaski Street.

Costumed participants walked about half a mile through downtown, passing bands, dance troupes, fire performers, and aerialists before ending at the main stage in front of the 40 Watt club, where The Booty Boyz and FAIRIEZ performed.

Dan Geller is the manager and one of three DJs in The Booty Boyz, known as Twin Powers. He is joined by DJs Immuzikation and Z-Dogg the Booty Hunter to make up The Booty Boyz.

The Booty Boyz are the typical headliner for the Wild Rumpus, this year marking their seventh performance for the parade.

“We kind of play the set that [Wild] Rumpus is known for,” Geller said. “It’s a very wide-ranging set; there’s no specific genres, just hits that everybody loves.”

From Nirvana to Playboi Carti to Queen, the Booty Boyz mix hits from the past 40 years.

Geller regards the Wild Rumpus as “the biggest crowd you can get in Athens” as a performer. Without the Georgia-Florida game, typically held the same weekend as Wild Rumpus, the crowd was anticipated to be even bigger.

“There’s all ages of folks here,” Delaplane said. “There’s little kids and there’s college students, there’s young adults, and there’s grey hairs. It’s so fun.”

For Conley, Wild Rumpus has continued to grow over the years without losing its initial charm.

“It’s still that jubilant, fun, excitable, creative energy, really highly energized, but the scale of it has grown incredible,” Conley said.

As advance voting continues and general election day approaches, the Athens-Clarke County Unified Government has shared some important information regarding voting.

Voters have until Nov. 1 to participate in advance voting. Otherwise, voters must wait until Nov. 5 to cast their ballots in person, or submit them by mail if they request an absentee ballot by Friday, Oct. 25.

Early voting does not require voters to go to their assigned polling location, as not all polling locations participate. Voters go to any participating location in their district if they want to cast their ballot before Nov. 5. To vote early, Athenians can go to one of the six participating voting locations:

Full voting schedules and dates for each location, and additional information regarding advance voting in Athens, can be found at accgov.com/advancevoting.

On Nov. 5, all voting locations will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and voters are required to vote at their assigned precinct which can be found on the My Voter Page on the Georgia Secretary of State's website.

The Precinct 7A polling location has been moved from the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Athens to Timothy Baptist Church, located at 380 Timothy Road.

Voters in Precinct 7A will be issued new voter registration forms via mail. There were no changes to actual districts or precincts, just the location where voters in Precinct 7A will cast their ballot on Election Day.

The Athens-Clarke County Elections Department can be reached at 706-613-3150 or 155 E Washington St. for more information.

On election day, voters must bring one of the following forms of photo ID:

Voters who want to vote by absentee ballot must submit an application for an absentee ballot which will be reviewed by the voter’s county elections office. The application does not require an excuse or explanation. To receive an application, voters must visit securemyabsenteeballot.sos.ga.gov or they can request an application via mail, email, fax or at their county elections office. Applications must be submitted by Friday, Oct. 25.

Voters will receive their ballots by mail after approval. Voters who are active in the military and deployed may receive ballots electronically under the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act.

If a voter does not receive their absentee ballot after submitting their application, they should reach out to their county registrar. If the voter is unable to get their absentee ballot in time, they can vote in person after signing a statement that they have only voted once.

After filling out the required information on the ballot, voters can then submit their ballots either via mail or in person in a dropbox in their county. Locations for in person delivery in Athens are available on the ACCGov website. Voters can verify their vote was submitted by checking the My Voter Page for their state.

Athens-Clarke County will have both English and Spanish ballots available during the November 2024 election. Election communications will also be available in Spanish.

A sample of the Spanish ballot can be found on the ACCGov website, along with the English version.

Both advance voting and election day polls will have audio ballot options available for those of low vision or blindness. They will also have wheelchair-accessible booths. Voters may also be eligible to get assistance from a family member or friend to fill out a ballot by signing an assisted voter oath, per state law.

I like to pass the time on drives back to my college town by devising an itinerary based entirely on where I plan to eat and what I plan to do. No matter the purpose behind the trip to Athens, Georgia, whether a football-rival meeting between the hedges or a visit to a former professor's class, my focus is always the things that make it the most unique college town in the South, many of which are apart from school and football.

I start out by visualizing a map of the city. Punctuated by intersections I once crossed often, the streets easily link together in my mind to form a packed itinerary for a short trip. Here are the 15 best things to do in Athens, Georgia, for the perfect weekend in one of the South's best college towns.

Fun Things To Do

With well over 100 bars, restaurants, and shops hugging the small and walkable city-style blocks, Athens' historic downtown is more alive on an average Monday than many towns are on a Saturday night. Daylight hours see UGA college students filing in and out of various cafes, as locals pop into shops like Archer Paper Goods (a stationery lover's heaven).

Step inside Wuxtry Records for instant nostalgia. It's the oldest still-operating record store in Georgia, and the small store on East Clayton Street downtown is still packed with crates of vinyl records. Lead guitarist Peter Buck of Athen's most famous band R.E.M. even worked there for a short time.

After taking the University of Georgia's exit, I'm led to the familiar intersection of Lumpkin Street, Milledge Avenue, and Milledge Circle. This crossroads is the heart of the historic Five Points area, and that means the first stop is Condor Chocolates for a homemade pick-me-up. Influenced by their mother's Ecuadorean roots, brothers Nick and Peter Dale launched their first location on Lumpkin Street to make their chocolate confections. Their selection of artisanal truffles, bars, and other delights is vast, but their sipping chocolate and affogato are my go-to indulgences.

condorchocolates.com, multiple locations

Once the sun goes down, innocent errands turn into late-night shenanigans. Spontaneous souls could end up dancing at the pop-up silent disco wearing big glowing headphones next to dozens of strangers; watching an indie film at Ciné, a nonprofit art house opened in an old tire-recap building; or sipping at the bar of Manhattan Cafe next to someone reading a Cormac McCarthy novel while others sway in the back corner next to the tattered jukebox with handwritten track cards.

Since Athens is home to many famous bands, including R.E.M, The B-52's, the Indigo Girls, Widespread Panic, and Drive-By Truckers, you'll find many historic music haunts like the 40 Watt Club and the Georgia Theatre, and you're bound to be able to catch a concert going on in those venues, as well as many others, throughout the weekend. You can also visit the rooftop of the Georgia Theatre for cocktails, snacks, great views of downtown, and occasionally late-night DJ sets.

On off-season Saturdays, the Athens Farmers Market at Bishop Park is bustling. I might snag a sip of Juju from The Plate Sale. Splitting time between Athens and Atlanta, Shyretha and Michael Sheats have made a name for themselves in the food and farming industries of North Georgia. If you can make it to a Plate Sale pop-up dinner, you won't regret it.

Located at the corner of Dearing and Finley Streets downtown, "The Tree That Owns Itself" is a local quirk respected even by the local government. (Go read the plaque.) According to a legend first printed in the local newspaper, in the late 1800s a previous owner of the tree's surrounding land left a will that deeded the tree possession of itself and all the land within eight feet of its trunk. Today’s tree is actually a “junior," as the original giant oak, estimated around 400 years old, fell over in the mid-1900s.

PHOTO: Robbie Caponetto The State Botanical Garden of Georgia. PHOTO:

Robbie Caponetto

The State Botanical Garden of Georgia, covering more than 300 acres, is actually located in Athens, and it's the perfect place to take stroll, enjoy the blooms and greenery, and explore the extracurricular exhibits, including a children's area and winter lights display.

botgarden.uga.edu, 2450 S Milledge Ave, Athens, GA 30605

Partnered with the University of Georgia, this museum is both an academic museum and, since 1982, the official art museum of the state of Georgia. Find a variety of art mediums to explore, from historical works to modern-day delights. Plus, you can reserve tickets for free admission!

georgiamuseum.org, 90 Carlton St, Athens, GA 30602

Where to Eat and Drink

Last Resort Grill celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2022, and the downtown restaurant is still serving up local favorites that have garnered it “number one” for many. Some of its most-ordered dishes include its popular praline chicken, fried green tomatoes, and anything from its impressive dessert case.

Venture to West Hancock Avenue for dinner at The National. Although the globally inspired menu changes to reflect the seasonal bounty of northeast Georgia farmers, you’ll never be disappointed. Amongst the Mediterranean-inspired dishes, the vegetable plate is a unique standout.

The next day, I love taking an early outing to Independent Baking Company for a croissant or cinnamony Morning Roll. Right next to the famous five-point intersection, locals line up for fresh loaves, coffee, and pastries to go. I'll head toward campus via Lumpkin Street for lunch on the patio at Cali-N-Tito's. The beloved BYOB, Latin-Caribbean-inspired cafe is in a prime spot within walking distance of South Campus and tailgates alike.

The colorful Venus Fly Trap cocktail from The National. PHOTO: Robbie Caponetto

Depending on my hotel check-in time, I may scoot a few doors down to one of the newer kids on the Five Points block. The Expat, situated in a quaint 1930s cottage, features a menu of Italian favorites, and the cleverly crafted cocktail list and friendly neighborhood service keep me coming back. The Royal Peasant, a British-style pub, is a great spot to catch a game or relax on the patio with their Bits and Bobs, like baba ghanoush or house-made chips and garlic oil.

At the end of the day, I venture back downtown to West Hancock Avenue for a drink at Creature Comforts Brewing Co., featuring the famed Tropicália IPA. The beer in question is a citrusy little number with hoppy notes. Due to production constraints, it garnered a cult following—borderline mania—when it was first released in 2014 and was even featured in box-office success Avengers: Endgame. And it still remains the most popular brew in town.

Creature Comforts Brewery. PHOTO: Robbie Caponetto Creature Comforts Brewery. PHOTO: Robbie Caponetto

creaturecomfortsbeer.com, 271 W Hancock Ave, Athens, GA 30601

Afterward, I head to the Boulevard District, home to Maepole and White Tiger Gourmet, two off-the-beaten-path lunch places. Maepole, known for its plant-forward and gluten-free menu, lets you choose a base (like mashed sweet potatoes or quinoa), a protein, two sides, and a sauce. It approaches Southern food in a healthy, wholesome way.

White Tiger is my pick for barbecue and burgers, but the vegetarian offerings are impressive too. It's housed in a 100-year-old building that once served as a grocery store, so the charm goes far beyond the smoked meats. I finish out the night at Seabear Oyster Bar, where a dozen bivalves on the half shell are best accompanied by seasoned oyster crackers.

White Tiger Gourmet. PHOTO: Robbie Caponetto The Bacon Cheddar Burger from White Tiger Gourmet. PHOTO: Robbie Caponetto

Located adjacent to downtown Athens, Normaltown is where you'll find the townies. The old-school strip of storefronts is now frequented by the impossibly cool. Bars here—The Old Pal, Hi-Lo Lounge, and Normal Bar—are the grown-up, hipper version of those downtown.

If it's Sunday, I'll mosey over to Food for the Soul for lunch. This eatery makes some of the best fried chicken and slow-cooked vegetables outside of Atlanta. For more fried chicken, head to iconic Athens spot Weaver D's. The owner's tagline "Automatic for the People!" later became the album title for one of R.E.M.'s most famed records.

With both my belly and my mind full from memories of a weekend well spent, I hunker down for my journey home. But if "Old Lady Luck" is on my side, it won't be long until I return, because there's one thing all Dawgs know: All roads lead to Athens.

See the South's Best College Town winners here

Lately on my morning walk in Queens, I pass a front door covered in bloody handprints.

On another residential block there’s a robot in a black cape. Walk by and it shrieks like a child hysterical with terror.

Then I get to a house with half of a bloodied torso hanging out a window, and a black plastic body bag strung upside down from a tree. There’s also a severed foot sticking out of the garden.

You have a Happy Halloween, too!

Obviously this is the holiday of death and demons (and equally terrifying to some parents: Milk Duds). But these days it can feel like “It’s the Mutilated Corpse, Charlie Brown.”

How did we get here?

“It started with the pumpkins,” said Nancy McDermott, author of the book “The Problem with Parenting.”

As kids, she said, “We would get these serrated knives and make these kind of primitive faces. But then you had these spoilsports who started using carving tools, and pretty soon you had these exquisite pumpkins and it’s like, ‘Why should I even try?’”

As adults got more involved in their kids’ lives, every aspect of the holiday professionalized: parties, costumes, decorations.

Pretty soon what used to be a ghost-and-gumdrops day became an $11 billion blowout, second only to Christmas.

But while professionalization may explain the money being spent, it doesn’t explain the gore.

“Gone are the days of the 12-foot skeleton,” sighed Aneisha McMillan, marketing director at the Halloween & Costume Association.

“Now people are having to up their game, so skeletons are moving, or crazy moaning, or screaming.”

Blame it on the media. (Never a bad idea.)

“Despite the fact that I live and breathe this year-round,” McMillan said, “I got talked into seeing the latest ‘Saw’ movie and I literally thought I was going to be sick. They’re sawing someone’s arm off and your whole chair’s shaking — I had to go wait in the lobby.”

For Millennials weaned on splatter movies, it’s like growing up on squeeze pouches of smack. You keep needing a bigger dose.

That may explain why, at the Halloween Adventure store in Manhattan, “We have this animatronic girl where half of her head pops off and her mouth pops off — they kind of separate from each other,” said Mystic, the general manager.

She stocks another breed of animatronic, too: “You walk past and it lunges at you.”

Some shoppers get so startled, she said, they wheel around and punch it.

Perhaps decoration inflation just reflects today’s cultural extremism — especially what we’re exposed to online.

The algorithms of the Internet are designed to keep us glued to our screens as long as possible. To do so, platforms serve up ever-more radical content — stunts, shocks, hate — to keep us angry and engaged.

So the severed foot in the garden? It’s just sort of the Internet of the lawn.

To get a sunnier view, I called Brian Blair, owner of the Pumpkin Pulp horror supply company.

“I don’t think it’s anything to be alarmed about — it’s a way to blow off steam,” he said cheerfully.

Phew! So what’s selling briskly this year?

“The slaughtered pig mask,” he replied. “It looks like a pig’s head has been cut off. It’s very popular.”

Well. I did ask.

“It’s just that there are no more boundaries,” offered a 35-year-old mom in Springfield, NJ, who responded to my “What’s going on?” query on X. She asked for anonymity as she described the street she accidentally took her kids down the other day.

“There’s three houses. One has a monster holding a child by the ankles. House #2 has like six Freddy Kreugers with knives. And the third house has really detailed gory zombies with pockmarks on their faces.

“My oldest kid is six and he started having nightmares.”

Great.

We already give kids almost no independence.

We barely let them walk to school, play outside, or run errands on their own. This is making them depressed and anxious like nobody’s business. (It’s also the culture I fight day and night.)

Then, on the one day of the year we let them roam, they’re lunged at by monsters dripping blood.

If we wanted to terrify kids into spending the rest of their childhoods inside on the couch, this would be a great way to do it.

Bonus: More zombies.

Lenore Skenazy is president of the nonprofit Let Grow promoting childhood independence, and founder of the Free-Range Kids movement.