Veishea attendance affected by weather

By Kyle Ferguson

Daily Staff Writer

When comparing Veishea celebrations over the years, statistics that have usually been considered are the amount of alcohol sold, number of arrests and, in the worst cases, whether or not there's a riot. But after this year, administrators will have to consider attendance numbers, if Friday was any indicator.

In addition to the wristband furor, nasty weather helped ensure there were small numbers of people on Central Campus for Taste of Veishea and the final round of the Battle of the Bands. Instead, masses of people swarmed into Campustown for Friday drink specials at the bars.

"The Veishea that I worked before, there was actually a lot more business around," said Eric Henderson, senior in statistics and gyro vendor.

At 6:45, the line to get into Mickey's stretched past the bar and past the neighboring tattoo parlor, The Asylum. The attendance at the Marching Band Field at 7:15 p.m. was about 30 -- including security guards.

"I'm probably just going to stay around Campustown," said alumnus Brett Campbell, of Cherokee. "I don't really know too much about what's going on at Central Campus, and I don't want to stand in the cold."

Nick Miller, senior in health and human performance and bouncer at Mickey's, attributed the high attendance to pre-existing popularity.

"Everyone knows about Friday After Class," he said. "We've had a line since 4 p.m."

Half an hour later, though, the line had vanished. Miller had an explanation for this, too.

"People often just get their first beer, which is free, and then leave," he said.

The forces of weather and wristbands together helped drive people towards Campustown -- or just kept them in their houses.

"The weather is really crappy, and most people think the ideas for Veishea this year are stupid," Miller said.