| 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.
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