Fans Dance in the Streets
by Ross Weidner

UNC-CH fans had a hot time after the Duke game. They took “March Madness” literally and celebrated with a raucous victory dance on Franklin Street.

Police estimate more than 2,500 Tar Heel fans flooded Franklin Street after a big win over the Blue Devils. As the last seconds ticked off the clock, fans at Linda's Bar and Grill on Franklin Street erupted. But the celebration didn't end there.

While some fans rushed out of the bars onto Franklin Street fans in front of a fraternity house started the first bonfire of the night with a couch.

Even though their fire didn't last long, sparks started up with another fire down the street.

UNC-CH freshman Sarah Reinhart was astounded by the celebration after watching the Tar Heel victory first hand in the Smith Center.

"This is better than Halloween because we actually have something to celebrate," Reinhart said.

Students fed the flames with newspapers, tree branches and even the shirts off their backs.

Police pushed people to the sidewalks so firefighters could put out the flames.

"Mostly what we're doing is trying to keep the combustibles out of the fires,” Chapel Hill Police Officer Sgt. Steve Riddle said. “We're trying to be as easygoing on everybody as we can."

Clean-up crews swept the street and picked up the trash, including a Christmas tree that didn't quite make it to the bonfire.

"I was here with Jackie and Jawad and all of them for the past 4 years,” UNC-CH senior Laura Edwards said. “To be where we are now is exactly where we've wanted to be, and it's so nice senior year to finally have it. We're going all the way."

Die-hard Carolina fans are hoping this won't be the last time they'll dance in the streets this spring.