Freaknik

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Freaknik was an annual meeting in Atlanta, Georgia, primarily of students from historically black colleges and universities. [1] Begun in 1982 as a quiet gathering in Piedmont Park, it was initially sponsored by The California Club of Morehouse and Spelman colleges and was typically held during the third weekend in April to coincide with the schools of the Atlanta University Center's Reading Day. The event increased in size and popularity in the 1990s with dancing, drinking, parties, a basketball tournament, rap sessions, a film festival and a job fair.[2]

Atlantans' reception of the festival was mixed. In its heyday, the fest attracted upwards of 250,000 revelers to the city. Many residents attended and enjoyed Freanik, and others complained about traffic congestion due to street parties.[3] City leaders eventually took measures to curtail Freaknik's accessibility, and hence its popularity. As a result, Freaknik moved to Memorial Drive in Dekalb County then Daytona Beach, Florida.


[edit] References

  1. ^ Suggs, Ernie. "Street party became its own undoing", The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 2008-04-14. Retrieved on 2008-04-14. "It was a heck of a run. From 1983 until 1999, Freaknik — the college picnic that morphed into a sprawling street party — tormented, titillated and drove Atlanta to the brink." 
  2. ^ "Black students converge on Atlanta for Freaknik", CNN, 1997-04-18. Retrieved on 1997-04-18. "Among the other activities planned are a party at a downtown club hosted by Michael Bivins of the hip-hop group "New Edition," a basketball tournament, rap sessions, a film festival and a daylong job fair." 
  3. ^ "Remember Freaknik: Fun or flash point?", The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 2008-04-14. Retrieved on 2008-04-14. ""The best moments in my life happened at freaknik."" 
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