The party is on, but more subdued. That's the word from St. Simons Island, where thousands of young people celebrate the football game this weekend between the Georgia Bulldogs and Florida Gators.
Local officials, responding to resident complaints, announced a zero tolerance policy for this year’s ‘Frat Beach’ party - no underage drinking, roadside sobriety checks and more police armed with breathalyzers.
By Friday afternoon, it appeared that the big shindig was not what it had been in earlier years, in both attendance and attitude. Several hundred young people were on the beach, with a steady stream still coming in, but not in numbers seen in prior years. Several hotels reported fewer bookings.
Word of the crackdown created a giant buzz-kill among UGA students, alumni and other fans who make the annual pilgrimage to the island. Police Chief Matt Doering still expects several thousand revelers this weekend.
His advice to young people: “Don’t lie to the police.”