The Ohio State community is set to have one of its busiest weekends in years late this April.

Following Easter weekend, the African American Heritage Festival takes place all week and concludes on April 27. Also taking place that weekend is the spring football game, the public’s first chance to see the national champions in action since their win in the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl.

About 30,000 to 40,000 people attend the Heritage Festival each year, according to the planning committee. Securing this event costs the city nearly $500,000.

Cruising along High Street and around the campus area has been a problem in the past, as visitors to the festival want to see and be seen.

Columbus police issued 129 moving violations during last year’s event along with 26 arrests, less than half as many arrests than following the national championship game, said Sergeant Brent Mull, who is with the Columbus Division of Police.

Although the threat of violence is very low, the traffic problem will become more difficult with the football game scheduled for the same day as the Heritage Festival Saturday events.

“I wouldn’t be surprised to see over 60,000 people come out to see this game,” said Steve Snapp, director of sports information for OSU football.

“I’m really looking forward to it, and the fact that the Heritage Festival will be going on that weekend too is good. The more people we have come to the game the better,” Snapp said.

Snapp does not expect any problems the Lane Avenue bridge construction might cause visitors who are coming to the festival or to watch the spring football game.

“I don’t foresee any problems,” Snapp said. “They’ve (the police) always done a fine job; I don’t see why it would be any different that weekend.”

“I think having both events makes for a great weekend,” said Steve Sterrett, a spokesman for Campus Partners.

“I think the crowds will lend themselves to both events, and each one will benefit,” Sterrett said. “By scheduling these events on the same weekend, people coming to see one event can enjoy another they haven’t been exposed to.”

A possible third event might add to the weekend’s hype.

The block party that takes place on Chittenden Avenue, “Chittfest,” usually takes place the weekend on which Easter falls this year.

With many out of town to visit family, the Heritage Festival weekend may be the substitute date for the bash that turned into a small riot last year. However, the police are already taking control.

“We will be monitoring any situation that takes place on Chittenden, though the city police will handle any necessary action,” said Ron Michalec, the university police chief.

“As for the other two events, I don’t think they will conflict,” Michalec said. “The planners of Heritage Festival have set out to make the event center around Ohio State and Columbus, so we don’t expect as many others to cause as much traffic. The events have also been planned so as not to conflict with other activities around campus.”

Residents living near the High Street and Chittenden intersection are aware all these events are falling on the same weekend and tend to believe “Chittfest” ’03 will happen, and are hoping for the best.

“I heard all those things were happening. I park my car off the street and I am still moving it for that weekend,” said Jory Dille, a third-year student in urban and regional systems.

Other residents are not as nonchalant about the situation.

“These big parties and Heritage Festival seem to attract the riffraff surrounding campus. They see the event as a time to be destructive to other’s property,” said John McConnell, a junior in English.

“I saw a car turn the corner, see the crowd and speed right into it. They hit a girl and then took off,” McConnell said. “It was a very sobering experience.”