Pocono News Section

Bloomsburg Block Party Preps

Bloomsburg Block Party Preps - Friday, April 18, 2008 at 6:05PM EST

Reported by: Mike Trim
Friday, Apr 18, 2008 @ 06:05pm EST
BLOOMSBURG, COLUMBIA COUNTY- Bloomsburg University students are getting ready for a big day. Junior Megan Swigon says, "It's going to be great time. Everybody just gets to hang out all day, see your friends. It's going to be awesome."

More than 3,000 students are expected to flood the streets of Bloomsburg Saturday afternoon. The annual block party is biggest social gathering of the year. But police are hoping this years version, won't end up like last year's.

YouTube video shows police move in after reports of bottle throwing and fights breaking out. But Bloomsburg Police Chief Leo Sokoloski says they are taking steps this year to keep the peace. "We are concerned about the public safety and it doesn't matter if you're a student or a resident alike, we want it to be a memorable event, we want it to be safe, and we want it to be able to continue on in future years," says Sokoloski.

The "block party" isn't a university sponsored event, but university leaders also hope for the best. "It's always been a concern of the university that obviously our reputation takes a hit anytime these things go on, and in this day and age with the YouTubes, it just spreads like wildfire," says Tom McGuire.

Students just hope everyone can just get along and have a good time. Bloomsburg Junior Jen Beresch says, "Oh, I'm so excited. Hopefully the police don't ruin our fun," she says.

Construction crews were setting up for Saturday, drilling posts for a fence. And students are loading up, all for Block Party '08.