Anyone who knows anything about the University of Otago knows about the famous Hyde Street Party. The day is very similar to the Rollins College Fox Day, except it is always on a Saturday and is planned weeks in advance. In its history, the Hyde Street Keg Party (as it was originally named) was a block party organized by everyone who lived on the street each year. The houses would all pick a different theme and then everyone who attended the party would go dressed up in a costume pertaining to a certain house. Over the years, the party became more and more out of control with around 5,000 people in attendance each year and frequent hospital visits from people who were passing out after heavily drinking all day. For the past 5 years, the Otago University Student Association (OUSA) has taken control of the event and now uses tickets and security to keep the party at a safer level. Like Fox Day, students wake up around 5:30am and begin to party. Around 9:00am the gates to the block party open and students flood in carrying their alcohol for the day. Almost every house has different music going, some have DJs while others just play music off an IPhone. People cover the entire front yards, sidewalks, and street. It was an incredibly fun day to spend out in the sun with such a fun environment surrounding you. My friends Josh, Nick and I dressed up as rednecks with short cut off jean shorts, un-buttoned cut-off flannel tops, and a trucker hat that we wrote “Make Hyde Great Again” on the front.
