State Street Halloween Party Explained

Status:Inactive
Date:Varied by year
Frequency:Annual
Location:Madison, Wisconsin
Years Active:1979-2019
First:1979[1] [2]
Last:2019

The State Street Halloween Party was an annual Halloween festival located in Madison, Wisconsin.

Tens of thousands of party-goers, many dressed in Halloween costumes, attended the event on State Street in the downtown area of Madison.[3] Most attendees were students from the University of Wisconsin–Madison and their guests, but others came from across Wisconsin and elsewhere. The city took control of the event in 2006, renaming it Freakfest and began charging admission. Prior to this, the event saw crowds of up to 100,000 and a plethora of riotous behavior.[4] [5]

Freakfest was cancelled in 2020 and 2021 due to concerns related to the COVID-19 pandemic.[6] [7]

In 2022, the event was cancelled due to lack of funding and support.[8] It did not return in 2023.[9] However, State Street, a popular nightlife destination, saw an marked increase in crowds on Halloween weekend, requiring the Madison Police Department to have a larger than normal presence in the area.[10]

History

In 1977, a group of UW Madison students started a block party on Halloween night. Due to its growing popularity, the student government began to sponsor the event as a fundraiser in 1979. However, when the legal drinking age changed in 1986, the fundraising ceased as their primary money-making source was gone, leading to the eventual end of student government's sponsorship. From 1989 until the late 1990s, crowd size varied.[11]

By the 2000s, the event's size grew significantly and largely culminated in rioting resulting in vandalism, theft, property damage, arson, and assault; resulting in hundreds of arrests costing the city thousands of dollars.[12] By 2003, the event became a point of contention in local government and was costing the city over $700,000. The cost of additional police, the potential of damage to local businesses, and the protection of the city's reputation prompted the concern of Madison leaders, some of whom suggested canceling the event altogether. In 2005, riot police used tear gas to disperse the riotous crowd of 100,000 and over 400 arrests occurred.[13]

In the summer of 2006, then-Mayor Dave Cieslewicz unveiled the city's plan for the upcoming Halloween events. The plan consisted of blocking off State Street, charging admission from select points of entry, and closing off the street at midnight.[14] As a result, the riotous behavior ceased as the event became a largely peaceful festival.[15]

In 2006, the city government officially named the event Freakfest. The festival included films and live performances by nationally known musical artists with sponsors such as Mountain Dew.[16] Alcohol possession and consumption on the street were prohibited but local bars and restaurants served Freakfest attendees.[17]

Attendance and arrest rates

YearAttendanceArrests
200160,000 to 120,000[18] 0[19]
200265,000[20]
200365,000 Fri; 40,000 Sat[21] 350 (180 Fri, 170 Sat)
200480,000[22]
2005100,000[23] 334[24] to 566[25]
align="center" colspan=4 style="border-top:2px solid red; border-right:1px solid red; border-bottom:2px solid red; border-left:1px solid red;" City government took control of the event
200632,000148 to 230
200734,000181 (55 Fri, 126 Sat)[26]
200838,00077
200944,00047[27] [28]
201035,00043[29]
201125,00030[30]
201235,00036[31]
201331,00028
201435,00046
201537,0009
201632,00013
201719,000[32] 11
201820,000[33] 12
201920,000[34] 2
*2012-2019 data is tickets sold.

References

  1. Web site: Dane 101 . 2009-10-17 . https://web.archive.org/web/20091012055253/http://www.dane101.com/adventure/2009/10/08/danetube_halloween_on_state_street_1979 . 2009-10-12 . dead .
  2. Web site: Madison's halloween history . 2009-10-17 . 2009-10-05 . https://web.archive.org/web/20091005010038/http://badgerherald.com/news/2005/10/26/madisons_halloween_h.php . live .
  3. Web site: Hart . John . Photos: Freakfest 2018 . madison.com . . 25 June 2021 . 28 October 2018 . 25 June 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210625190202/https://madison.com/wsj/news/local/photos-freakfest-2018/collection_94953456-1aa8-52eb-8713-5fae70821a1b.html#1 . live .
  4. http://www.channel3000.com/news/10182830/detail.html Channel 3000
  5. http://www.thedailypage.com/daily/article.php?article=4499 The Daily Page
  6. Web site: Freakfest 2020 Cancelled, Residents Reminded to Avoid Halloween Gatherings . cityofmadison.com . 26 January 2021 . 15 October 2020 . 25 January 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210125145617/https://www.cityofmadison.com/news/freakfest-2020-cancelled-residents-reminded-to-avoid-halloween-gatherings . live .
  7. Web site: Langrehr . Jaymes . City of Madison cancels Freakfest for second straight year . channel3000.com . . 23 September 2021 . 17 September 2021 . 23 September 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210923222026/https://www.channel3000.com/city-of-madison-cancels-freakfest-for-second-straight-year/ . live .
  8. News: Rawling . Gillian . Organizers cancel FreakFest for third year in a row . 19 September 2022 . WMTV - NBC15.com . 19 September 2022 . 18 September 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220918232445/https://www.nbc15.com/2022/09/18/organizers-cancel-freakfest-third-year-row/ . live .
  9. News: Viviani . Nick . No FreakFest this year and maybe never again . 29 November 2023 . . 5 October 2023.
  10. News: Derby . Samara . Extra Madison police officers will be on duty this weekend for Halloween, night Badgers game . 29 November 2023 . . 28 October 2023.
  11. News: Brousseau . Alex . A history of the Halloween celebration on State Street . 26 January 2021 . Badger Herald . 28 October 2009 . 28 October 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211028033352/https://badgerherald.com/news/2009/10/28/a-history-of-the-hal/ . live .
  12. News: Throwback photos: See 4 decades of Halloween celebrations on State Street . 26 January 2021 . Wisconsin State Journal . 23 October 2019 . 20 November 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201120063012/https://madison.com/wsj/entertainment/throwback-photos-see-4-decades-of-halloween-celebrations-on-state-street/collection_bc9ff419-e3a6-5001-b525-9ecc67e3e2ec.html#19 . live .
  13. News: Krause Hathaway . Wendy . History of Halloween at UW-Madison . 26 January 2021 . Wisconsin Alumni Association . 26 October 2011 . 14 June 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210614000920/https://www.uwalumni.com/news/halloween_history/ . live .
  14. http://www.channel3000.com/news/9545178/detail.html Channel 3000
  15. News: Rivedal . Karen . Different mindset, new tools tame Halloween on State Street . 26 January 2021 . Wisconsin State Journal . 28 October 2016 . 28 October 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211028033734/https://madison.com/wsj/entertainment/different-mindset-new-tools-tame-halloween-on-state-street/article_bac053df-e590-57d1-8baf-b62a4467626a.html . live .
  16. Web site: freakfestmadison . Twitter.com . 26 January 2021 . 19 February 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230219013638/https://twitter.com/freakfest?lang=en . live .
  17. Web site: Hardee . Howard . They only come out at night: Costumed revelers descend on State Street for Freakfest . madison.com . . 25 June 2021 . 27 October 2019 . 25 June 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210625191019/https://madison.com/wsj/news/local/they-only-come-out-at-night-costumed-revelers-descend-on-state-street-for-freakfest/article_c2ffd78e-cc42-5dca-9cfa-a4a5e52da9f3.html . live .
  18. Web site: Halloween, Homecoming relatively tame . 2009-11-03 . 2010-02-13 . https://web.archive.org/web/20100213120215/http://badgerherald.com/news/2001/10/28/halloween_homecoming.php . live .
  19. Web site: Criminal activity low on Halloween night - the Daily Cardinal - University of Wisconsin-Madison . 2009-11-03 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110927132753/http://www.dailycardinal.com/criminal-activity-low-on-halloween-night-1.763584 . 2011-09-27 . dead .
  20. Web site: Police 'will not take sole ownership' for Halloween Riot . 2009-11-03 . 2009-12-28 . https://web.archive.org/web/20091228021318/http://badgerherald.com/news/2002/12/06/police_will_not_take.php . live .
  21. Web site: Halloween crowds turn chaotic - the Daily Cardinal - University of Wisconsin-Madison . 2009-11-03 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110927132803/http://www.dailycardinal.com/halloween-crowds-turn-chaotic-1.763191 . 2011-09-27 . dead .
  22. Web site: Officials revisit Halloween nights . 2009-11-03 . 2010-02-17 . https://web.archive.org/web/20100217121518/http://badgerherald.com/news/2004/11/19/officials_revisit_ha.php . live .
  23. http://www.dailycardinal.com/article/17691
  24. Web site: Arrests down for 2nd year in a row . 2009-11-03 . 2010-02-13 . https://web.archive.org/web/20100213203912/http://badgerherald.com/news/2007/10/29/arrests_down_for_2nd.php . live .
  25. Web site: Success! Far fewer arrests, no pepper spray give city reason to celebrate . 2009-11-03 . 2010-02-15 . https://web.archive.org/web/20100215174332/http://badgerherald.com/news/2006/10/30/success_far_fewer_ar.php . live .
  26. Web site: One day later: Police itemize Halloween crimes . 2009-11-03 . 2010-02-13 . https://web.archive.org/web/20100213222137/http://badgerherald.com/news/2007/10/30/one_day_later_police.php . live .
  27. Web site: Wisc-Tv . 2010-11-09 . 2011-09-01 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110901212748/http://www.channel3000.com/entertainment/21489138/detail.html . live .
  28. Web site: 44,000 attend Freakfest in Madison . 2010-11-09 . 2009-11-03 . https://web.archive.org/web/20091103073626/http://www.jsonline.com/news/wisconsin/68336547.html . live .
  29. Web site: Wisc-Tv . 2010-11-09 . 2010-11-05 . https://web.archive.org/web/20101105171410/http://www.channel3000.com/entertainment/25581829/detail.html . live .
  30. Web site: Fewer Arrests at Freakfest This Year . 2011-10-30 . 2011-10-31 . https://web.archive.org/web/20111031132835/http://www.nbc15.com/home/headlines/Fewer_Arrests_At_Freak_Fest_This_Year_132872468.html . live .
  31. Web site: Freakfest FAQ . 2017-10-11 . 2017-10-11 . https://web.archive.org/web/20171011130633/https://www.madfreakfest.com/faq . live .
  32. News: Rolain . Connor . Freakfest Attendance Drops; MPD Reports No Serious Incidents . 26 January 2021 . The Daily Cardinal . 30 October 2017 . 27 October 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221027072359/https://issuu.com/the_daily_cardinal/docs/10302017binder . live .
  33. News: What to know ahead of "Freakfest" this Saturday . 26 January 2021 . WMTV . . 22 October 2019 . 3 February 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210203062218/https://www.nbc15.com/content/news/Hundreds-of-officers-to-keep-downtown-Madison-safe-during-Freakfest-563654111.html#:~:text=In%202018%2C%20there%20were%20more,until%201%3A30%20a.m.%20Sunday.&text=Hundreds%20of%20officers%20will%20be%20patrolling%20downtown%20Madison%20during%20the%20event. . live .
  34. News: Devore . Molly . 20,000 tickets sold for Madison's 2019 Freakfest . 26 January 2021 . Badger Herald . 27 October 2019 . 2 February 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210202150116/https://badgerherald.com/news/2019/10/27/20000-tickets-sold-for-madisons-2019-freakfest/ . live .

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "State Street Halloween Party".

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