Howl at the moon, but follow the rules

Barton Springs Pool’s legendary “Howl at the Moon” event began as a modest community affair where a few hundred people would splash around while joyfully communing with nature. But as Austin’s population has expanded, so has attendance at the event, also called Full Moon Swim. To keep the lunar-loving festivities family friendly, Parks and Recreation implemented some rules a couple of years ago, and those rules continue today. For the next event – which is today, Monday – attendance is limited to 750 people after 8:30 p.m. and all must pay the standard entry fee of $5. Law enforcement personnel may be on hand to deal with any rowdy howlers. Basically, the city wants people to know that, as the press release put it, “The Austin Parks and Recreation Department understands the importance of preserving the integrity of this community tradition and is working to balance the nostalgia of the past with the current public safety concerns associated with the event’s evolution.” Translation: Enjoy yourself, but behave.