It certainly wasn't on the level of Mardi Gras on Bourbon Street, but thousands packed in shoulder to shoulder onto Walnut Street for Muncie Gras.
The Ball State University and Muncie communities did their best to emulate the famous New Orleans festival as belly dancers, strippers, naked bull riders, live bands and readily available booze entertained thousands on the three-block stretch.
Director of Downtown Development Cheryl Crowder said Muncie Gras went well. She said she won't know how many people showed up or how much money the event made until mid-week, but she estimated that between 7,000 and 8,000 people showed up. That would be about as much as last year.
Mike Martin, Doc's Music Hall co-owner, said the night went well for the bar and usually plays a big part in keeping the business afloat. He said Doc's was on pace to make more money than last year, which was about a month's worth of typical income.
Doc's had five acts during the seven-hour festival. Dozens more could be found as the crowd shuffled through the street, going in and out of bars and tents and bumping shoulders with friends and strangers.
Despite the nightmare scenario for claustrophobics, Crowder said she hadn't heard of any complaints about overcrowding or fights.
"It was definitely packed," she said. "I know at midnight you really had to go with the flow ... but that's part of it. I don't see that as a problem."
Muncie Police Capt. Mark Vollmar said none of the 16 officers had any problems. That's typical for the event throughout the years, he said, despite large crowds, excessive drinking and occasional public nudity. Vollmar said officers aren't more lenient on the rules during Muncie Gras, but if people aren't causing problems and can walk without falling down, they usually overlook actions that may warrant a citation in another setting. He didn't see anyone in that condition, he said.
The only problem he said he noticed was Ball State students having trouble catching the MITS trolley back to campus.
The case wasn't the same for Indiana State Police, which set up a sobriety check point Saturday night. That, along with normal patrolling, yielded 52 traffic citations, four driving while intoxicated arrests, eight driving while suspended arrests and 78 traffic warnings.
Crowder said the nice weather last week leading up to Saturday and the 30 extra days of promotion probably helped draw people downtown.
She said the postponement didn't hinder the entertainment lineup. A few acts were switched out, but it wasn't an issue. Sponsors and workers didn't have a problem either, she said.
"I definitely think it's an event that folks enjoy," Crowder said. "Sponsors are still on board and my board of directors [is] supportive. I think it's an event that should continue."
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