When Spring Break Went Wrong: North Dakota’s Fyre Festival-Like Riot!
Dive into the wild and unforgettable tale of the Zip to Zap, where a spring break dream turned into a riotous nightmare in North Dakota! 🎉 #ZipToZap #SpringBreak #WeirdHistory
Zap, North Dakota – In the annals of spring break history, few stories are as wild and unexpected as the Zip to Zap riot of 1969. This is a bizarre tale of how a small town in North Dakota became the center of an unforgettable spring break adventure that turned into chaos.
In many ways, the Zip to Zap riot is like North Dakota’s very own Fyre Festival: basically, a total disaster.
It All Started With A Good Idea
The story begins with Chuck Stroup, a student at North Dakota State University in Fargo. Stroup, unable to afford the traditional spring break festivities in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, had a brainwave. He envisioned a grand festival of light and love, a spring break alternative that would be both affordable and memorable. Thus, the “Zip to Zap” was born.
Zap, North Dakota is a town of about 200 in roughly the center of the state.
Stroup’s idea quickly gained traction. He advertised the event in the student newspaper, The Spectrum, and the concept soon caught fire. College students from across the Midwest, and even as far away as Texas and Florida, were drawn to the idea. The Zip to Zap was shaping up to be a major event, thanks to extensive publicity in various college newspapers and national media over the Associated Press wires.
At the time, college campuses across the United States were in turmoil. Students were rebelling against authority, protesting the Vietnam War, and the proliferation of nuclear weapons. The media portrayed this as a generational and cultural civil war, adding to the tension and excitement surrounding the Zip to Zap.
The Fort Lauderdale Of The North
Zap, North Dakota, was a small, quiet town, far removed from the hippie movement’s epicenters. But that didn’t mean the local students were oblivious to the happenings elsewhere. The combination of student unrest and the local authorities’ inexperience in handling large, boisterous gatherings set the stage for what was to come.
As the Zip to Zap approached, the excitement reached fever pitch. Cryptic ads and articles in student newspapers piqued curiosity. Zap, with its scenic Knife River valley, was portrayed as the “Lauderdale of the North,” a place of western hospitality and beauty. Local businesses, sensing an opportunity, prepared for the influx of students. The town’s two bars stockpiled beer, diners marketed “Zapburgers,” and local rock bands were lined up to play. Even the mayor of Zap, Norman Fuchs, got into the spirit, hoping to put the town on the map.
However, the organizers and the town were swept up in the whirlwind of publicity, giving little thought to the event’s organization or how to manage the thousands of students seeking a good time. The excitement only grew as the event drew closer, with The Spectrum publishing maps and articles detailing the attractions of Zap and the surrounding area. The stage was set for a grand celebration.
Revelry Turns To Rioting
But what started as a party quickly spiraled out of control. Students began arriving in Zap on May 9, 1969, quickly filling the town’s taverns. The demand for beer was so high that prices were doubled, but that did little to dampen the spirits of the party-goers. Soon, the streets of Zap were overrun with drunken students, causing concern among the locals. The situation deteriorated as temperatures dropped below freezing, and a bonfire was lit in the center of town. The revelry turned into a riot.
The local security forces were overwhelmed. The cafe and one of the bars were destroyed. The town’s mayor and residents pleaded with the students to leave, but their requests went ignored. The situation had escalated beyond their control.
Governor William Guy was forced to call in 500 troops from the North Dakota Army National Guard to quell the riot. By the time the National Guard arrived, over 1,000 partiers were still in Zap, although only a fraction were still awake.
The guardsmen, with fixed bayonets, roused the hungover students and dispersed the crowd. The event was covered by national media outlets and even made the lead item on the CBS Evening News. The riot at Zap was also reported by international news outlets, highlighting the extent of the chaos.
The Chaos And The Aftermath
The aftermath of the Zip to Zap was sobering. The riot caused over $25,000 in damages, a significant amount for the small town. The student governments of North Dakota State University and the University of North Dakota were left to cover the costs. The town of Zap and its residents were left to pick up the pieces and rebuild.
In the years that followed, the Zip to Zap became a cautionary tale. The event’s organizers expressed embarrassment over the results, and the town took measures to ensure such chaos would not happen again. Anniversaries of the Zip to Zap were celebrated with little to no trouble, and the town even hosted a 25th anniversary reunion in 1994, which was well-organized and peaceful.
The Zip to Zap remains a unique and unforgettable chapter in the history of spring break and North Dakota. It serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of large gatherings and the importance of proper planning and preparation.
For the small town of Zap, the Zip to Zap was a moment of fame, a wild adventure that will forever be a part of its legacy.
🗣 Have you ever been to Zap, North Dakota? Where’s your Midwest go-to spring break location? Share your thoughts in the comments section below! ⬇️
