Almost every spring semester, thousands of students pack East College Avenue the final weekend in April to celebrate the end of the semester for College Fest. Beer bottles and red cups scatter the yards on the block and music blares from porches in the area.

The massive block party is a great way for students to let out their end-of-the-semester steam and get together with friends before leaving for home. However, sometimes the party gets too out of control. Couches were set on fire in the midst of the party in 2009. The event received national news coverage as a SWAT team and medical professionals came to stop rioting students at the event in 2012.

More than 30 students were arrested during College Fest last year.

This spring, landlords on East College Avenue have been encouraging tenants to cancel College Fest parties because of last year’s rioting. Kent City Police are taking extra precautions to prevent what happened last year.

Even with landlords and police cracking down on students planning to host parties this weekend, students are still going to want to party and celebrate the end of the semester. Students party almost every weekend, so why should this one be any different?

It’s understandable if students want to throw a big party or take part in a block party to have fun with friends before the last week of classes. We need a break.

Weekend parties are great, as long as there is minimal disruption and no violence. We need to remember, it’s fine to go out and have fun with friends this weekend but try to avoid the point where people could get hurt or make other choices they are bound to regret.

Getting arrested or creating mindless riots is not cool. Both can be avoided by watching how much you drink and going to parties with people you know. Before the last week of classes, we want to encourage students to go out and have fun, but be safe.

The above editorial is the consensus opinion of the Daily Kent Stater editorial board.