By Dani Lever and Maddy Mahon
As Halloween weekend unwinds, storeowners said Mountain Dew’s 2007 Freakfest was calm as expected.
“We haven’t been worried about anything happening to the store since they started charging two years ago,” Sue Foster, manager of State Street’s Einstein Bagel said.
“The attendance dropped by half.”
Since 2006, city officials have tightly controlled Madison’s infamous Halloween celebration. In an attempt to prevent the riots and vandalism that dominated previous Halloweens, Madison enlisted hundreds of police officers to tame the crowds.
For the shop owners who once worried about mob violence, last year’s control tactics brought relief. By charging a fee to walk on State Street and increasing the presence of police officers, the city successfully quelled crowds.
After the success of last year, shop owners fear little about damage and danger to their stores.
Rick Ponto, manager of Steep and Brew on State Street, said the “corporatization” of the Halloween event has drastically decreased the energy on State Street.
“[Previously] it was really busy and crazy and then last year, after they started charging, it just was dramatically slower.”
Ponto said the majority of his business over the weekend came from local citizens.
“It was mostly a suburbanized crowd that came to spectate. We had really good, nice customers.”
One of the only concerns storeowners expressed were the taxes necessary to fund the event. “This whole party cost the taxpayers a fortune,” Kevin Conlin, owner of College Barber Shop on State Street, said. “Who has to pick up the bill for it, we do.”
According to the City of Madison, the event cost over $700,000 last year. However, with the increase in money allotted to the event, high control forces significantly lower storeowners’ risk.
Foster said Einstein Bagels didn’t worry at all about rowdiness. The managerial staff lacked concern after the new rules were implemented.
Storeowners said Halloween now poses no more threat than any other weekend. “Our window was smashed about three months ago,” Conlin said. However, the store suffered no damage Friday or Saturday night.
State Street was immaculate this morning, with not a piece of trash in sight. It was hard to believe that merely hours before, the street was dominated with costumed crowds; the same crowds that had damaged stores and cars just years before.
Even though Halloween is significantly calmer, the memories of previous riots still remain. “We just crossed our fingers and prayed,” Conlin said.
And luckily for him and other owners, their prayers came true.
Back to the J335 Freakfest Home page
Sunday, October 28, 2007
And It's Over...
Freakfest 2007 has come to an end, and this year's costumes definitely lived up to my expectations. Not only did I see the standard, the ordinary, the typical... Numerous answered the call for creativity. One of my favorite costumes of the evening was the, "Facebook Whore." This young lady wore all white, wrote, "write on my wall," on the front of her shirt, and wrote, "poke me," on her behind. Although the costume was a bit over the top, it didn't fail to amuse. Another costume that caught my eye was, "Amy Winehouse." This young lady donned tattoos and heavy eye makeup, and ensured authenticity adding blood to her shoes.
Last night State Street exploded with extraordinary, while many did buy packaged costumes, more created outlandish, shocking Halloween costumes. People took commonplace themes and put their individual spin on them. For instance, a pirate themed costume may not sound unusual, but one male's outfit caused my mouth to drop... I thought Johnny Depp had flown in from the set of Pirates of the Caribbean.
Although I did see plenty of ladies covered up, costumes from Web sites like www.forplaycatalog.com managed to make their way to State Street. French maids, race-car drivers, devils and even bees somehow got "slutified."
Last night, and early into the hours of the morning State Street erupted with excitement. Next year, I hope to see more people answer the call for creativity, though countless did in 2007. The sun is finally up, and the ordinary will once again walk the streets of Madison.
Last night State Street exploded with extraordinary, while many did buy packaged costumes, more created outlandish, shocking Halloween costumes. People took commonplace themes and put their individual spin on them. For instance, a pirate themed costume may not sound unusual, but one male's outfit caused my mouth to drop... I thought Johnny Depp had flown in from the set of Pirates of the Caribbean.
Although I did see plenty of ladies covered up, costumes from Web sites like www.forplaycatalog.com managed to make their way to State Street. French maids, race-car drivers, devils and even bees somehow got "slutified."
Last night, and early into the hours of the morning State Street erupted with excitement. Next year, I hope to see more people answer the call for creativity, though countless did in 2007. The sun is finally up, and the ordinary will once again walk the streets of Madison.
Packaged, staged Freakfast is winner, officials say
By Alec Luhn
Even officials charged with keeping Halloween under control got into the festivities late Saturday: Mayor Dave Cieslewicz had his photo taken with a group of gnomes, and City Council President Mike Verveer kissed a police officer’s horse.
As State Street’s Freakfest celebration wound down peacefully early Sunday, city officials reflected positively on this year’s event, which featured food vendors and three music stages provided by corporate sponsors and Madison’s Frank Productions.
“For those of us who think it’s a cool tradition Madison should embrace and be proud of, [Freakfest] is seeming practically perfect,” Verveer said.
The corporate sponsorship and increased admission price – from $5 to $7 – helped manage Halloween, according to Verveer and others.
“It’s a necessary evil, so the powers that be don’t try to end the event,” Verveer said as he strolled through packs of partiers on State Street shortly before midnight.
State Street Alderman Eli Judge, 8th-District, called the absence of the spontaneity of past Halloweens a “temporary trade-off.”
“There is something that was lost,” Judge said. “Hopefully, over the course of time we’ll be able to pull it back.”
Some opposed the event’s new structure, though.
Recent University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee graduate Abby Lutgen said Saturday’s festivities compared negatively with the three Halloween celebrations she attended before Freakfest began last year.
“It seems too commercialized now,” Lutgen said. “The pace is not as hot as it used to be.”
Freshman Eric Falk of Drew University in Madison, New Jersey, was enjoying himself as he bobbed to Natty Nation at the Milio’s Subs stage, but said he felt stifled by Freakfest’s increased security. “It’s supposed to be a free party; it shouldn’t have to be something that’s roped off,” Falk said.
“Everyone in the city should be able to be here, not just a few people.”
The music was an added bonus, even if the stages didn’t “mesh with the whole scene,” Falk said.
The entertainment lineup put together by Frank Productions included local acts as well as nationally touring groups, such as headliner Lifehouse. The band’s set drew an excited crowd of concertgoers to the Mountain Dew stage on the Capitol Square.
“It’s tight – it’s a perfect fit for the crowd,” said UW Eau Claire freshman Aaron Golz as parts of the costumed audience bounced up and down to the tunes of Lifehouse
Golz said he didn’t object to the ticketing and corporate sponsorship of the event, adding that the $7 was worth it.
“I love it, even if it’s a bit scary at times, with some of the weird people here,” he said.
Festival-goers and officials mingled with a crowd estimated at 34,000, similar to the size of last year’s event. Policemonitored the celebration at a command center in the downtown Fire Station, feeding live footage of State Street and nearby areas from 10 cameras.
Despite a crush of people at some entrances, and periodic obscene chants, police were pleased with crowd behavior and were hopeful for fewer police in the future.
“We’re moving a long ways toward an event that isn’t so wrapped around policing,” said Joel DeSpain, spokesman for Madison police, in front of the bank of screens displaying footage of the festivities.
Judge noticed more revelers in costume than in normal dress during his time on State Street, which made for a happier crowd and better event, he said.
Mayor Dave cited the varied demographics of the crowd as a reason for Freakfest’s success.
“It seems like a pretty good mix,” Cieslewicz said. “It seems to me as young as ever, but maybe with a sprinkling of older folks.”
A continued student stake in the event bodes well for future Freakfests, Cieslewicz added.
Judge, however, would like to see more sponsorships from local businesses, bigger musical acts and free admission for Madison students.
But overall officials hope to build off of this year’s celebration – probably with Frank Productions again, according to Verveer.
“[I]t certainly is a different vibe,” Verveer said, calling it much better than an event “ending in a sea of pepper spray.”
Back to the J335 Home page
Even officials charged with keeping Halloween under control got into the festivities late Saturday: Mayor Dave Cieslewicz had his photo taken with a group of gnomes, and City Council President Mike Verveer kissed a police officer’s horse.
As State Street’s Freakfest celebration wound down peacefully early Sunday, city officials reflected positively on this year’s event, which featured food vendors and three music stages provided by corporate sponsors and Madison’s Frank Productions.
“For those of us who think it’s a cool tradition Madison should embrace and be proud of, [Freakfest] is seeming practically perfect,” Verveer said.
The corporate sponsorship and increased admission price – from $5 to $7 – helped manage Halloween, according to Verveer and others.
“It’s a necessary evil, so the powers that be don’t try to end the event,” Verveer said as he strolled through packs of partiers on State Street shortly before midnight.
State Street Alderman Eli Judge, 8th-District, called the absence of the spontaneity of past Halloweens a “temporary trade-off.”
“There is something that was lost,” Judge said. “Hopefully, over the course of time we’ll be able to pull it back.”
Some opposed the event’s new structure, though.
Recent University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee graduate Abby Lutgen said Saturday’s festivities compared negatively with the three Halloween celebrations she attended before Freakfest began last year.
“It seems too commercialized now,” Lutgen said. “The pace is not as hot as it used to be.”
Freshman Eric Falk of Drew University in Madison, New Jersey, was enjoying himself as he bobbed to Natty Nation at the Milio’s Subs stage, but said he felt stifled by Freakfest’s increased security. “It’s supposed to be a free party; it shouldn’t have to be something that’s roped off,” Falk said.
“Everyone in the city should be able to be here, not just a few people.”
The music was an added bonus, even if the stages didn’t “mesh with the whole scene,” Falk said.
The entertainment lineup put together by Frank Productions included local acts as well as nationally touring groups, such as headliner Lifehouse. The band’s set drew an excited crowd of concertgoers to the Mountain Dew stage on the Capitol Square.
“It’s tight – it’s a perfect fit for the crowd,” said UW Eau Claire freshman Aaron Golz as parts of the costumed audience bounced up and down to the tunes of Lifehouse
Golz said he didn’t object to the ticketing and corporate sponsorship of the event, adding that the $7 was worth it.
“I love it, even if it’s a bit scary at times, with some of the weird people here,” he said.
Festival-goers and officials mingled with a crowd estimated at 34,000, similar to the size of last year’s event. Policemonitored the celebration at a command center in the downtown Fire Station, feeding live footage of State Street and nearby areas from 10 cameras.
Despite a crush of people at some entrances, and periodic obscene chants, police were pleased with crowd behavior and were hopeful for fewer police in the future.
“We’re moving a long ways toward an event that isn’t so wrapped around policing,” said Joel DeSpain, spokesman for Madison police, in front of the bank of screens displaying footage of the festivities.
Judge noticed more revelers in costume than in normal dress during his time on State Street, which made for a happier crowd and better event, he said.
Mayor Dave cited the varied demographics of the crowd as a reason for Freakfest’s success.
“It seems like a pretty good mix,” Cieslewicz said. “It seems to me as young as ever, but maybe with a sprinkling of older folks.”
A continued student stake in the event bodes well for future Freakfests, Cieslewicz added.
Judge, however, would like to see more sponsorships from local businesses, bigger musical acts and free admission for Madison students.
But overall officials hope to build off of this year’s celebration – probably with Frank Productions again, according to Verveer.
“[I]t certainly is a different vibe,” Verveer said, calling it much better than an event “ending in a sea of pepper spray.”
Back to the J335 Home page
34,000 party, arrests falls, no damage
By Quinn Craugh
A crowd of 34,000 graced State Street for “Freakfest 2007” Saturday night and early Sunday, and for the second straight year, police cleared the street peacefully and reported fewer arrests. They reported no vandalism or property damage.
According to police, the crowd hit its peak of 34,000 after midnight and was similar in size when compared to 2006, despite the $2 ticket price increase -- to $7. And if not for minor incidents, such as two men dressed in chicken suits circling one another in the middle of large gathering on the infamous 500 block of State Street, police played the role of wallflowers.
Joel DeSpain, public information officer for the Madison Police Department, said the two-day arrest total was 175. Of those, 120 were made Saturday night and early Sunday.
DeSpain noted that it was the third straight drop in the number of arrests. Last year, the two-day arrest total reached 235 and in 2005 – when the even was still unstructured and unfenced -- , officers made 566 arrests over a similar weekend.
Alcohol violations made up most of the arrests, but DeSpain noted that the Saturday/Sunday crowd seemed much less intoxicated than the few thousand on the street Friday night.
Mayor Dave Cieslewicz took in the scene he helped create over the past four years and said he thought the revelers appeared happy and content.
“I haven’t seen any pushing and shoving,” Cieslewicz said, adding in years past small fights were commonplace. He also said R.T.M., the private security firm the city hired to take tickets, did a nice job throughout the night frisking everyone and handling swells in the impatient onlookers waiting to get in.
“They frisked me when I walked in,” Cieslewicz said, “which is good I guess.”
Although a few tense moments put some of the hundreds of officers on alert, none of the individual disputes became major ones.
Still, although no State Street property damage was reported and the event evolved into a “remarkable success,” at times the mostly friendly crowd showed signs of restlessness.
Some partygoers turned hecklers and directed vulgar jeers and taunts toward police. In turn, their actions prompted authorities to intervene and silence those the loudest voices by either dispersing the group or arresting one or two.
At one point, a crowd of 10 guys walked down State Street, chanting defiantly and obscenely at the police – until a group of five police officers approached. The loud profanity quickly became murmurs; one police officer grinned as he passed the critics.
“I understand the police have to monitor what’s going on around here, but at the same time I don’t like how invasive they are,” said fifth year UW-Madison student Thomas Reuter, who dressed as a 10-ft. tall Q-tip.“State Street in Madison should be what it has been…meaning you don’t have admission tickets and it’s people coming if they feel like coming.”
However, those “glory years” - as one student lovingly referred to -- have come and gone. And with two years of no riots, no use of pepper spray and a general sense of community pride, Cieslewicz sees a bright future for “Freakfest.”
“This was the most successful Halloween on State Street in several years,” he said. “Halloween in Madison has been transformed in a positive way.”
One other gauge of the event’s success: Only one person was sent to detox, which is reserved for those so drunk they are in danger of dying.
Back to the J335 Freakfest Home page
A crowd of 34,000 graced State Street for “Freakfest 2007” Saturday night and early Sunday, and for the second straight year, police cleared the street peacefully and reported fewer arrests. They reported no vandalism or property damage.
According to police, the crowd hit its peak of 34,000 after midnight and was similar in size when compared to 2006, despite the $2 ticket price increase -- to $7. And if not for minor incidents, such as two men dressed in chicken suits circling one another in the middle of large gathering on the infamous 500 block of State Street, police played the role of wallflowers.
Joel DeSpain, public information officer for the Madison Police Department, said the two-day arrest total was 175. Of those, 120 were made Saturday night and early Sunday.
DeSpain noted that it was the third straight drop in the number of arrests. Last year, the two-day arrest total reached 235 and in 2005 – when the even was still unstructured and unfenced -- , officers made 566 arrests over a similar weekend.
Alcohol violations made up most of the arrests, but DeSpain noted that the Saturday/Sunday crowd seemed much less intoxicated than the few thousand on the street Friday night.
Mayor Dave Cieslewicz took in the scene he helped create over the past four years and said he thought the revelers appeared happy and content.
“I haven’t seen any pushing and shoving,” Cieslewicz said, adding in years past small fights were commonplace. He also said R.T.M., the private security firm the city hired to take tickets, did a nice job throughout the night frisking everyone and handling swells in the impatient onlookers waiting to get in.
“They frisked me when I walked in,” Cieslewicz said, “which is good I guess.”
Although a few tense moments put some of the hundreds of officers on alert, none of the individual disputes became major ones.
Still, although no State Street property damage was reported and the event evolved into a “remarkable success,” at times the mostly friendly crowd showed signs of restlessness.
Some partygoers turned hecklers and directed vulgar jeers and taunts toward police. In turn, their actions prompted authorities to intervene and silence those the loudest voices by either dispersing the group or arresting one or two.
At one point, a crowd of 10 guys walked down State Street, chanting defiantly and obscenely at the police – until a group of five police officers approached. The loud profanity quickly became murmurs; one police officer grinned as he passed the critics.
“I understand the police have to monitor what’s going on around here, but at the same time I don’t like how invasive they are,” said fifth year UW-Madison student Thomas Reuter, who dressed as a 10-ft. tall Q-tip.“State Street in Madison should be what it has been…meaning you don’t have admission tickets and it’s people coming if they feel like coming.”
However, those “glory years” - as one student lovingly referred to -- have come and gone. And with two years of no riots, no use of pepper spray and a general sense of community pride, Cieslewicz sees a bright future for “Freakfest.”
“This was the most successful Halloween on State Street in several years,” he said. “Halloween in Madison has been transformed in a positive way.”
One other gauge of the event’s success: Only one person was sent to detox, which is reserved for those so drunk they are in danger of dying.
Back to the J335 Freakfest Home page
'insane crazy riot? It's not like that at all'
By Michelle Turcotte
The tagline printed on tickets for Freakfest 2007 – “Enter at Your Own Risk” - would have perhaps been more prophetic for Halloweens past, as the theme of this year’s event seemed to be controlled chaos rather than riotous disorder.
“Honestly, I expected more people, said UW freshman Jamie around 9:30 p.m. “There's more open space than I expected. Everyone makes it sound like Halloween is insane crazy riots, but it's not like that at all."
“You're always told you could barely walk on State Street, but it's not true at all," agreed her friend Jenna, also a UW freshman and first time Freakfest participant.
Early in the evening revelers appeared to follow the old mantra of arriving fashionable late as the early crowd was sparse and lines at the gates were non-existent. Costume-clad revelers trickled onto the grounds in groups of three and four.
Security at the Henry/State Streets entrance was also sparse when the gates opened at 7:30, with participants strolling right onto State Street sans ticket check, and one gentleman unicycling his way past the gates. Security guards at the intersection began checking tickets around 7:45 p.m, but failed to frisk participants upon entry at that time.
“They’re doing a simple search for glass and weapons" said Joel Plant in the Mayor’s Office. When asked about the security at Henry and State, he said he "can't speak directly to that, but it’s discretionary security, if it's very busy they won't be doing the checks."
Security was noticeably tighter and lines were much longer at the Library Mall entrance a half hour later. Guards systematically checked partygoers upon entrance. One woman was not convinced of the security measure’s effectiveness, noting to her friend, “What did that do? He got my pits, my hips, and that’s it.”
Ticket lines stretched down Lake Street for most of the night. Security at the blocked streets remained tight.
The scene on State Street was animated, with a giant bass mingling with the pope, to a gentleman walking the streets dressed as Barack Obama flanked by security to cheers of “Obama! Obama!” to two guys dressed as the Twin Towers complete with planes crashing into them with “Guiliani ‘08” emblazoned across their backs, often receiving taunts of “now that’s just sick” by passersby.
Joggers donning large afro wigs jogged up and down the street. A group of six young men decked out in coconut bras and hula skirts entertained the crowd, who dubbed them the “hula guys.” Penguins, nuns and mermaids traveled in a pack down the street.
A common costume included a strategically placed gift-wrapped box, a novelty made popular by a Justin Timberlake Saturday Night Live Skit. Also popular were people dressed as kegs, Jack Sparrow, and gentlemen dressed as “mammogram machines” with questionable credentials.
Even the perennial Library Mall preachers showed up for the festivities, with signs saying “God is not tame” and “Trust Jesus,” and preaching to mostly oblivious costumed passersby.
Lines for entry into most bars were long, particularly for State Street Brats. Many café and restaurant windows featured patrons who turned their chairs to face the windows, securing ringside seats for the Halloween antics.
An amplified robotic voice would periodically remind revelers to “have a safe and enjoyable night,” and remind that “open intoxicants are prohibited” on the street to laughs and jeers from the crowd.
“I’ve been here before it was ‘Freakfest,’ said 22-year-old UW-Whitewater student Shelby Helmbrecht around 11:45 p.m. outside the Orpheum Theater. “It’s less crowded, but I think I’m OK with that.”
“It’s OK, it’s less trouble,” said 21-year-old Jessica Anderson, “but it’s not as exciting.”
“I probably won’t stay much later, I like to be able to see the ground,” added Helmbrecht referencing the growing crowd.
The State Street crowd was noticeably thicker around midnight, making it necessary to dodge the likes of wings, tails, swords, and presents left behind by police horses, when navigating the streets. Even as the crowd got fuller and the partygoers appeared drunker, overall order remained.
Revelers were more likely to be seen high-fiving officers than taunting them, or petting their horses. Angry participants were only abundant when the event was shutdown at 1:30 a.m. and people were no longer allowed entrance to State Street.
“I thought we lived in America, the land of the free,” exclaimed one visibly intoxicated man upon being denied entrance.
Back to the J335 Freakfest Home page
The tagline printed on tickets for Freakfest 2007 – “Enter at Your Own Risk” - would have perhaps been more prophetic for Halloweens past, as the theme of this year’s event seemed to be controlled chaos rather than riotous disorder.
“Honestly, I expected more people, said UW freshman Jamie around 9:30 p.m. “There's more open space than I expected. Everyone makes it sound like Halloween is insane crazy riots, but it's not like that at all."
“You're always told you could barely walk on State Street, but it's not true at all," agreed her friend Jenna, also a UW freshman and first time Freakfest participant.
Early in the evening revelers appeared to follow the old mantra of arriving fashionable late as the early crowd was sparse and lines at the gates were non-existent. Costume-clad revelers trickled onto the grounds in groups of three and four.
Security at the Henry/State Streets entrance was also sparse when the gates opened at 7:30, with participants strolling right onto State Street sans ticket check, and one gentleman unicycling his way past the gates. Security guards at the intersection began checking tickets around 7:45 p.m, but failed to frisk participants upon entry at that time.
“They’re doing a simple search for glass and weapons" said Joel Plant in the Mayor’s Office. When asked about the security at Henry and State, he said he "can't speak directly to that, but it’s discretionary security, if it's very busy they won't be doing the checks."
Security was noticeably tighter and lines were much longer at the Library Mall entrance a half hour later. Guards systematically checked partygoers upon entrance. One woman was not convinced of the security measure’s effectiveness, noting to her friend, “What did that do? He got my pits, my hips, and that’s it.”
Ticket lines stretched down Lake Street for most of the night. Security at the blocked streets remained tight.
The scene on State Street was animated, with a giant bass mingling with the pope, to a gentleman walking the streets dressed as Barack Obama flanked by security to cheers of “Obama! Obama!” to two guys dressed as the Twin Towers complete with planes crashing into them with “Guiliani ‘08” emblazoned across their backs, often receiving taunts of “now that’s just sick” by passersby.
Joggers donning large afro wigs jogged up and down the street. A group of six young men decked out in coconut bras and hula skirts entertained the crowd, who dubbed them the “hula guys.” Penguins, nuns and mermaids traveled in a pack down the street.
A common costume included a strategically placed gift-wrapped box, a novelty made popular by a Justin Timberlake Saturday Night Live Skit. Also popular were people dressed as kegs, Jack Sparrow, and gentlemen dressed as “mammogram machines” with questionable credentials.
Even the perennial Library Mall preachers showed up for the festivities, with signs saying “God is not tame” and “Trust Jesus,” and preaching to mostly oblivious costumed passersby.
Lines for entry into most bars were long, particularly for State Street Brats. Many café and restaurant windows featured patrons who turned their chairs to face the windows, securing ringside seats for the Halloween antics.
An amplified robotic voice would periodically remind revelers to “have a safe and enjoyable night,” and remind that “open intoxicants are prohibited” on the street to laughs and jeers from the crowd.
“I’ve been here before it was ‘Freakfest,’ said 22-year-old UW-Whitewater student Shelby Helmbrecht around 11:45 p.m. outside the Orpheum Theater. “It’s less crowded, but I think I’m OK with that.”
“It’s OK, it’s less trouble,” said 21-year-old Jessica Anderson, “but it’s not as exciting.”
“I probably won’t stay much later, I like to be able to see the ground,” added Helmbrecht referencing the growing crowd.
The State Street crowd was noticeably thicker around midnight, making it necessary to dodge the likes of wings, tails, swords, and presents left behind by police horses, when navigating the streets. Even as the crowd got fuller and the partygoers appeared drunker, overall order remained.
Revelers were more likely to be seen high-fiving officers than taunting them, or petting their horses. Angry participants were only abundant when the event was shutdown at 1:30 a.m. and people were no longer allowed entrance to State Street.
“I thought we lived in America, the land of the free,” exclaimed one visibly intoxicated man upon being denied entrance.
Back to the J335 Freakfest Home page
Crowd estimate set at 31,000; 90 arrests by 1 a.m.
By Quinn Craugh
Freakfest's public stages were shut down, and the State Street crowd near the Capitol thinned dramatically, after 1:30 a.m.
Police Spokesman Joel DeSpain reported 90 arrests as of 1 a.m., with most of those involved underage drinking violations. As of 1 a.m. one year ago, there had been 143 arrests.
Officials also estimated the crowd within the fenced-in area at more than 31,000.
In one block near the capitol, there were almost as many uniformed police officers as partygoers. As they did last year, officials again divided State Street into two sections at Johnson Street -- a move that sent the signal that the official event had ended.
The next act in the Freakfest drama will be bar closing time at 2 a.m.
Back to the J335 Freakfest Home page
Freakfest's public stages were shut down, and the State Street crowd near the Capitol thinned dramatically, after 1:30 a.m.
Police Spokesman Joel DeSpain reported 90 arrests as of 1 a.m., with most of those involved underage drinking violations. As of 1 a.m. one year ago, there had been 143 arrests.
Officials also estimated the crowd within the fenced-in area at more than 31,000.
In one block near the capitol, there were almost as many uniformed police officers as partygoers. As they did last year, officials again divided State Street into two sections at Johnson Street -- a move that sent the signal that the official event had ended.
The next act in the Freakfest drama will be bar closing time at 2 a.m.
Back to the J335 Freakfest Home page
Saturday, October 27, 2007
63 arrests by midnight was down from last year
By Quinn Craugh
By midnight, police had arrested 63 in connection with Madison's Freakfest event.
Police Spokesman Joel DeSpain said that was sharp drop from the 119 arrests at the same point last year.
Police moved to quickly to break up minor incidents, making sure they did not escalate. Officials also responded to a report of a trash car set on fire.
Freakfest was scheduled to end at 1:30 a.m., and city officials said maintenance crews would immediately begin cleaning the State Street area.
Back to the J335 Freakfest Home page
By midnight, police had arrested 63 in connection with Madison's Freakfest event.
Police Spokesman Joel DeSpain said that was sharp drop from the 119 arrests at the same point last year.
Police moved to quickly to break up minor incidents, making sure they did not escalate. Officials also responded to a report of a trash car set on fire.
Freakfest was scheduled to end at 1:30 a.m., and city officials said maintenance crews would immediately begin cleaning the State Street area.
Back to the J335 Freakfest Home page
Freakfest starts slow, but man with a bee made it
By Richie Rathsack
Freakfest opened this year with small crowds of pedestrians streaming through gates and into the fenced-in area, with temperatures in the upper-40s.
At the Library Mall entrance to Freakfest, police were everywhere, as knots of between two and six partygoers went through entrance gates.
At 7:30 p.m. when the festivities were scheduled to begin, police appeared to outnumber partygoers by about three to one.
Soon after 7:30 p.m. a voice crackled through an extensive loudspeaker system, urging people to have a safe Halloween. The voice, coming from out of nowhere, added a strange Big Brother feel to the event as passers by commented on the creepy voice from the sky.
State Street was lit up by large lights, like those used to light construction scenes for nighttime work to be done.
At 8:00 p.m., most of State Street was empty except for roving police patrols. Stages were still being set up for the musical acts and the entrances at the side streets were deserted.
At the start of Freakfest, many people were not in costumes – except for what they appeared to have worn to the Wisconsin football game earlier in the day. Some sat inside restaurants and shops, and along the sidewalks, searching for the most creative costumes.
Some of the early enteries included: a man with a marionette-like bee, a large fish, the main character from the Metroid videogame, a ghoul on stilts, a group dressed up as the Wizard of Oz characters, and Michael Vick with a dog in a noose.
By 9 p.m., there were longer lines at entrance gates and officers on horseback were near the Library Mall entrance.
On the other side of the perimeter, partygoers ran afoul of the no-open-intoxicants rule as they walked toward the entrances.
Many of them were quickly discarding their bottles and cans onto the sidewalk before getting near the heavily patrolled areas as open intoxicants are not allowed on State Street.
As of 10:30 p.m., there had been eight arrests, said Police Spokesman Joel DeSpain
Back to J335 Freakfest Home page
Freakfest opened this year with small crowds of pedestrians streaming through gates and into the fenced-in area, with temperatures in the upper-40s.
At the Library Mall entrance to Freakfest, police were everywhere, as knots of between two and six partygoers went through entrance gates.
At 7:30 p.m. when the festivities were scheduled to begin, police appeared to outnumber partygoers by about three to one.
Soon after 7:30 p.m. a voice crackled through an extensive loudspeaker system, urging people to have a safe Halloween. The voice, coming from out of nowhere, added a strange Big Brother feel to the event as passers by commented on the creepy voice from the sky.
State Street was lit up by large lights, like those used to light construction scenes for nighttime work to be done.
At 8:00 p.m., most of State Street was empty except for roving police patrols. Stages were still being set up for the musical acts and the entrances at the side streets were deserted.
At the start of Freakfest, many people were not in costumes – except for what they appeared to have worn to the Wisconsin football game earlier in the day. Some sat inside restaurants and shops, and along the sidewalks, searching for the most creative costumes.
Some of the early enteries included: a man with a marionette-like bee, a large fish, the main character from the Metroid videogame, a ghoul on stilts, a group dressed up as the Wizard of Oz characters, and Michael Vick with a dog in a noose.
By 9 p.m., there were longer lines at entrance gates and officers on horseback were near the Library Mall entrance.
On the other side of the perimeter, partygoers ran afoul of the no-open-intoxicants rule as they walked toward the entrances.
Many of them were quickly discarding their bottles and cans onto the sidewalk before getting near the heavily patrolled areas as open intoxicants are not allowed on State Street.
As of 10:30 p.m., there had been eight arrests, said Police Spokesman Joel DeSpain
Back to J335 Freakfest Home page
Well folks, the verdict is in. I have to say, I didn't give the young women of Madison enough credit. I saw plenty of great costumes that last night that weren't "slutty" in the least bit. One of my favorite costumes of the night was one 19-year-old girl's Shreck outfit, it really rocked. As for the fellas, I didn't see too many creative costumes. The typical football players, superheros and Santas were out having a great time last evening.
But, Madison's Freakfest still has one more night to shock the masses with its out-there costumes. And, I'll be there, camera in hand, to share it with you all.
But, Madison's Freakfest still has one more night to shock the masses with its out-there costumes. And, I'll be there, camera in hand, to share it with you all.
Halloween security tight at freshmen dorms
By Bobbi Jo Snethen
For most UW freshmen, Halloween had only been experienced through their televisions sets or fabricated by friends' tall tales of pepper spray and rioting. This year, however, the Freakfest celebration seems nothing more than a Badger home football crowd-with the audience in costume instead of a Sea of Red.
In recent years, university residence halls implemented a strict code upon freshmen residents during Halloween weekend.
"We required our House Fellow staff to have house meetings with their residents to go over the policies for the weekend which includes no guests, and to review safety and security issues with the State Street event," said UW Assistant Director of Housing Kay Reuter-Krohn. "We even let them know during orientation, so that it doesn't come as a surprise."
In attempt to provide a "safe, clean and comfortable home" for residence hall students during Halloween, University Housing prohibited any guests besides other UW-Madison residents from entering the building, increased security, including constant surveying by police, and limited entry with electronic keys new to University Housing.
But for some freshmen, the message wasn't clear enough to cancel plans made with out-of-town companions hoping to stay overnight.
"I live in the dorms, but since my friends don't, they're going to sleep in their cars tonight," said freshman Megan Seroogy who live in the Elizabeth Waters dormitory. "We even tried to make hotel arrangements, but the closest hotel we could find rooms in was like six miles away."
Others in the southeast dorms expressed frustration in the policy.
"It's unfortunate that even though we're not planning on destroying anything or burning down anything like in the years past, we still are penalized this way," said 18-year-old Witte resident Joey Schroeder, dressed up as Joseph Stalin for the night. "It's supposed to deter people from coming to town but that's not happening and if anything, it'll put more drunk drivers on the road."
Witte house fellow Chris Wagner, who watched Witte's inside stairwell for half of his eight-hour shift, explained that students have alternatives to drinking and costume displaying on State Street.
"We planned a movie night that's going on right now titled 'Serial Killers and Cereal' so kids can be entertained without leaving the facility," said Wagner. "We also had a pumpkin painting contest earlier this evening."
Students just across the street participated in Video Game night at Ogg Hall.
"I just spent like four or five hours in there," said freshman Adams Hall resident Jon Wick on his way home with a couple of friends around 1 am Saturday. "I just think the whole Freakfest thing is overrated. You can go on State Street any weekend and watch people pour out onto the streets looking like idiots, maybe it's just funnier when they're wearing costumes."
Although the majority of freshmen seem to spend their Friday and Saturday night carousing off to house parties and onto State Street, they generally make it back safe and sound.
"The worst we've seen tonight is just really intoxicated kids who need help to their rooms, but no violence, no rioting or anger," said Wagner.
This was Wagner's first year performing house fellow duties, while UW Police Sergeant Kurt Feavel was entering his 23rd year on the force for Halloween weekend.
"We don't get a lot of uproar near the freshmen dorms . . . For the most part, they seem to follow the rules very well, but with what's happened in the past, we've learned to be prepared for the worst in all of downtown," said Feavel.
Feavel's partner in fighting crime, UW Police Officer Aaron Chapin, says working the shift is just a waiting game.
"This is my seventh year on the force and the night's always going to climax at bar time, if at all," said Chapin. "Our job is primarily to make sure these kids make it home safe."
Bar time came and everything from bumble bees to Flintstones poured through the dorm entrance. Eventually the pour became a trickle and Friday night of Madison's coveted Halloween weekend tradition ended rather mildly-similar to that of any other weekend on campus.
However, with the Badger football team facing Indiana for the homecoming game, and Freakfest looming, the weekend was far from over.
Back to J335 Freafest Home page
For most UW freshmen, Halloween had only been experienced through their televisions sets or fabricated by friends' tall tales of pepper spray and rioting. This year, however, the Freakfest celebration seems nothing more than a Badger home football crowd-with the audience in costume instead of a Sea of Red.
In recent years, university residence halls implemented a strict code upon freshmen residents during Halloween weekend.
"We required our House Fellow staff to have house meetings with their residents to go over the policies for the weekend which includes no guests, and to review safety and security issues with the State Street event," said UW Assistant Director of Housing Kay Reuter-Krohn. "We even let them know during orientation, so that it doesn't come as a surprise."
In attempt to provide a "safe, clean and comfortable home" for residence hall students during Halloween, University Housing prohibited any guests besides other UW-Madison residents from entering the building, increased security, including constant surveying by police, and limited entry with electronic keys new to University Housing.
But for some freshmen, the message wasn't clear enough to cancel plans made with out-of-town companions hoping to stay overnight.
"I live in the dorms, but since my friends don't, they're going to sleep in their cars tonight," said freshman Megan Seroogy who live in the Elizabeth Waters dormitory. "We even tried to make hotel arrangements, but the closest hotel we could find rooms in was like six miles away."
Others in the southeast dorms expressed frustration in the policy.
"It's unfortunate that even though we're not planning on destroying anything or burning down anything like in the years past, we still are penalized this way," said 18-year-old Witte resident Joey Schroeder, dressed up as Joseph Stalin for the night. "It's supposed to deter people from coming to town but that's not happening and if anything, it'll put more drunk drivers on the road."
Witte house fellow Chris Wagner, who watched Witte's inside stairwell for half of his eight-hour shift, explained that students have alternatives to drinking and costume displaying on State Street.
"We planned a movie night that's going on right now titled 'Serial Killers and Cereal' so kids can be entertained without leaving the facility," said Wagner. "We also had a pumpkin painting contest earlier this evening."
Students just across the street participated in Video Game night at Ogg Hall.
"I just spent like four or five hours in there," said freshman Adams Hall resident Jon Wick on his way home with a couple of friends around 1 am Saturday. "I just think the whole Freakfest thing is overrated. You can go on State Street any weekend and watch people pour out onto the streets looking like idiots, maybe it's just funnier when they're wearing costumes."
Although the majority of freshmen seem to spend their Friday and Saturday night carousing off to house parties and onto State Street, they generally make it back safe and sound.
"The worst we've seen tonight is just really intoxicated kids who need help to their rooms, but no violence, no rioting or anger," said Wagner.
This was Wagner's first year performing house fellow duties, while UW Police Sergeant Kurt Feavel was entering his 23rd year on the force for Halloween weekend.
"We don't get a lot of uproar near the freshmen dorms . . . For the most part, they seem to follow the rules very well, but with what's happened in the past, we've learned to be prepared for the worst in all of downtown," said Feavel.
Feavel's partner in fighting crime, UW Police Officer Aaron Chapin, says working the shift is just a waiting game.
"This is my seventh year on the force and the night's always going to climax at bar time, if at all," said Chapin. "Our job is primarily to make sure these kids make it home safe."
Bar time came and everything from bumble bees to Flintstones poured through the dorm entrance. Eventually the pour became a trickle and Friday night of Madison's coveted Halloween weekend tradition ended rather mildly-similar to that of any other weekend on campus.
However, with the Badger football team facing Indiana for the homecoming game, and Freakfest looming, the weekend was far from over.
Back to J335 Freafest Home page
Friday night ends safely; 25 arrested
By Quinn Craugh
Friday night proved to be a dress rehearsal for Saturday night’s Freakfest 2007, as partygoers braved the cold wearing as little as possible and police bobbed and weaved down State Street acting only when necessary.
By the end of the night, not much action was needed. Madison Police Department Public Information Officer Joel DeSpain said authorities made 25 arrests by 1:00 a.m. Saturday morning. Of those, he said nothing appeared serious except for one incident that involved a man waking up in an ambulance after passing out and punching some paramedics. The paramedics did not suffer major injuries.
He also said officers spotted a number of seemingly intoxicated females walking alone, “which was alarming.”
Despite that, DeSpain said the streets were cleared and nothing had to be closed off. He said it seemed just like any other weekend night, with the exception of nearly 400 officers from five local departments walking State Street and patrolling the surrounding areas.
“We’re out there hunting for bear,” DeSpain said. “We just didn’t find any bear.”
Police came to the conclusion by the end of the night that fewer people visited State Street than the Friday before Freakfast last year. Crowd levels were estimated at a few thousand people, and Madison police central district captain Mary Schauf said it was “thin.”
DeSpain said police have no real good explanations for the reasons behind the smaller crowds. He said perhaps the temperatures in the low 40s had something to do with it, or maybe as one UW-Madison student put it, “I didn’t mean to come down here on purpose.”
And while State Street had plenty of elbow room, it gave people the opportunity to catch a glimpse of what the scene Saturday may look like. The unique costumes partygoers wore ranged from one man dressed as Snow White to three men dressed in nothing at all and running down the street with only thongs concealing certain body parts.
Still, if Friday night’s crowd demonstrated the type of enthusiasm people now have for the event, Saturday’s horde could turn out to be a hoax.
“It’s stupid,” said UW-Madison sophomore Torrie Rinehart, adding her disdain for having to pay money to gain access to a public street. “Honestly it’s our f-ing street; we can go here [for free] every other day of the week.”
As of Thursday, 7,500 people purchased tickets for “Freakfest 2007 brought to you by Mountain Dew.”
Friday night proved to be a dress rehearsal for Saturday night’s Freakfest 2007, as partygoers braved the cold wearing as little as possible and police bobbed and weaved down State Street acting only when necessary.
By the end of the night, not much action was needed. Madison Police Department Public Information Officer Joel DeSpain said authorities made 25 arrests by 1:00 a.m. Saturday morning. Of those, he said nothing appeared serious except for one incident that involved a man waking up in an ambulance after passing out and punching some paramedics. The paramedics did not suffer major injuries.
He also said officers spotted a number of seemingly intoxicated females walking alone, “which was alarming.”
Despite that, DeSpain said the streets were cleared and nothing had to be closed off. He said it seemed just like any other weekend night, with the exception of nearly 400 officers from five local departments walking State Street and patrolling the surrounding areas.
“We’re out there hunting for bear,” DeSpain said. “We just didn’t find any bear.”
Police came to the conclusion by the end of the night that fewer people visited State Street than the Friday before Freakfast last year. Crowd levels were estimated at a few thousand people, and Madison police central district captain Mary Schauf said it was “thin.”
DeSpain said police have no real good explanations for the reasons behind the smaller crowds. He said perhaps the temperatures in the low 40s had something to do with it, or maybe as one UW-Madison student put it, “I didn’t mean to come down here on purpose.”
And while State Street had plenty of elbow room, it gave people the opportunity to catch a glimpse of what the scene Saturday may look like. The unique costumes partygoers wore ranged from one man dressed as Snow White to three men dressed in nothing at all and running down the street with only thongs concealing certain body parts.
Still, if Friday night’s crowd demonstrated the type of enthusiasm people now have for the event, Saturday’s horde could turn out to be a hoax.
“It’s stupid,” said UW-Madison sophomore Torrie Rinehart, adding her disdain for having to pay money to gain access to a public street. “Honestly it’s our f-ing street; we can go here [for free] every other day of the week.”
As of Thursday, 7,500 people purchased tickets for “Freakfest 2007 brought to you by Mountain Dew.”
Friday, October 26, 2007
Retailers split on whether Halloween is trick, treat
By Heather Gjerde
Freakfest security measures may be comforting to some daytime shops on State St., but others say aren’t so positive about the organization and management of the Halloween celebration.
Shop owners that are open during the day say they are mostly satisfied by plans for the event; others have seen only a slight effect on their business.
Tony Azad, owner of Vic’s Corn Popper, 127 State St., said he welcomes the event annually and that the business of his store has not been affected by the Freakfest operations.
“I get trick-or-treaters, but I’m running a business so I can’t give popcorn away,” Azad said. “People understand. They don’t get upset.”
The store will be closing at it’s regular hours of 7 p.m., shortly before police begin to collect tickets in order to enter the gated-off Freakfest area that will begin at 7:30 p.m.
For the first year of the event, Ron Lamberty, manager and part owner of Uno Chicago Grill, 222 W. Gorham St., said police closed nearby parking lots, which led to a loss in some of their regular business and daytime customers. He said they usually have families who enjoy watching the celebration unfurl during the early hours of the night. The restaurant bar will be open until it’s regular time of 2:30 p.m. Saturday night according to Lamberty.
“With the home game and homecoming we want people to be able to come downtown and enjoy the Freakfest during the day as well as during,” Lamberty said.
He hoped to work with the Madison Police to keep open the nearby Buckeye parking lot, 214 W. Gorham Street, but it will be closed to the public.
The owners of the stores that are open later at night tend to be more skeptical of benefits of having an organized event. Some stores along State St. fear being hit by vandals and potential Halloween-night violence.
For Mark Wilson, the general manager of the renovated KFC-Taco Bell, 534 State St., the additional security precautions set up for Freakfest is taking away from his business of past Halloween celebrations. He added that he has seen little difference in the crowd behavior.
“Last year was touted as a huge success by the city,” Wilson said. “From a retail standpoint we were down at least 25%.”
Four years ago, he said the store made over $10,000 in sales, while last year it was down to only $7,000. According to Wilson it is still his biggest day of the year.
“My team loves it, they get excited about it. The harder they have to work on Halloween the better they seem to like it,” Wilson said.
He suggested a different solution: Stagger bar closing times, so they don’t all close once. He suggested just allowing a natural flow of people out of the bars, keeping them open later.
“You put an extra 1,500 kids on the street at one time and it’s going to lead to a problem,” he added.
Bill Clarke, general manager of Qdoba Mexican Grill, 548 State St, said the event has been a success. He said one of the greatest advantages of having an organized event, with ticket admission, was reducing the crowd.
“Sales are lower, but I think it’s a safer and better product than what they had previously,” Clarke said.
Qdoba and KFC-Taco Bell will maintain regular weekend business hours, will be open until 3 a.m. or later.
But, Wilson said, police have told his business to close early in the past.
Wilson said some there’s one Halloween-related tradition he hates.
“It seems to be an annual tradition to kick my door in,” Wilson said.
For the last three years, he has had to replace his front door. As a result, KFC-Taco Bell will have at least three of their own security guards on duty Saturday night.
Others with shops located on State St. expressed mixed feelings.
A shop worker for Shangri La Collections, 125 State St., who wanted to remain anonymous, said the added security of the event has diminished some fun.
“It’s better for our businesses because it’s more controlled, but at the same time it’s not as free. It’s gated, and they break it up early,” the worker said. “It takes out the fun, because it was more spontaneous when it wasn’t gated.”
Most store owners said they expect Freakfest this year to be similar to the 2006 event.
Back to J335 Freakfest Home page
Freakfest security measures may be comforting to some daytime shops on State St., but others say aren’t so positive about the organization and management of the Halloween celebration.
Shop owners that are open during the day say they are mostly satisfied by plans for the event; others have seen only a slight effect on their business.
Tony Azad, owner of Vic’s Corn Popper, 127 State St., said he welcomes the event annually and that the business of his store has not been affected by the Freakfest operations.
“I get trick-or-treaters, but I’m running a business so I can’t give popcorn away,” Azad said. “People understand. They don’t get upset.”
The store will be closing at it’s regular hours of 7 p.m., shortly before police begin to collect tickets in order to enter the gated-off Freakfest area that will begin at 7:30 p.m.
For the first year of the event, Ron Lamberty, manager and part owner of Uno Chicago Grill, 222 W. Gorham St., said police closed nearby parking lots, which led to a loss in some of their regular business and daytime customers. He said they usually have families who enjoy watching the celebration unfurl during the early hours of the night. The restaurant bar will be open until it’s regular time of 2:30 p.m. Saturday night according to Lamberty.
“With the home game and homecoming we want people to be able to come downtown and enjoy the Freakfest during the day as well as during,” Lamberty said.
He hoped to work with the Madison Police to keep open the nearby Buckeye parking lot, 214 W. Gorham Street, but it will be closed to the public.
The owners of the stores that are open later at night tend to be more skeptical of benefits of having an organized event. Some stores along State St. fear being hit by vandals and potential Halloween-night violence.
For Mark Wilson, the general manager of the renovated KFC-Taco Bell, 534 State St., the additional security precautions set up for Freakfest is taking away from his business of past Halloween celebrations. He added that he has seen little difference in the crowd behavior.
“Last year was touted as a huge success by the city,” Wilson said. “From a retail standpoint we were down at least 25%.”
Four years ago, he said the store made over $10,000 in sales, while last year it was down to only $7,000. According to Wilson it is still his biggest day of the year.
“My team loves it, they get excited about it. The harder they have to work on Halloween the better they seem to like it,” Wilson said.
He suggested a different solution: Stagger bar closing times, so they don’t all close once. He suggested just allowing a natural flow of people out of the bars, keeping them open later.
“You put an extra 1,500 kids on the street at one time and it’s going to lead to a problem,” he added.
Bill Clarke, general manager of Qdoba Mexican Grill, 548 State St, said the event has been a success. He said one of the greatest advantages of having an organized event, with ticket admission, was reducing the crowd.
“Sales are lower, but I think it’s a safer and better product than what they had previously,” Clarke said.
Qdoba and KFC-Taco Bell will maintain regular weekend business hours, will be open until 3 a.m. or later.
But, Wilson said, police have told his business to close early in the past.
Wilson said some there’s one Halloween-related tradition he hates.
“It seems to be an annual tradition to kick my door in,” Wilson said.
For the last three years, he has had to replace his front door. As a result, KFC-Taco Bell will have at least three of their own security guards on duty Saturday night.
Others with shops located on State St. expressed mixed feelings.
A shop worker for Shangri La Collections, 125 State St., who wanted to remain anonymous, said the added security of the event has diminished some fun.
“It’s better for our businesses because it’s more controlled, but at the same time it’s not as free. It’s gated, and they break it up early,” the worker said. “It takes out the fun, because it was more spontaneous when it wasn’t gated.”
Most store owners said they expect Freakfest this year to be similar to the 2006 event.
Back to J335 Freakfest Home page
The Hype
As the first evening of 07's Freakfest approaches, I can't help but wonder what costumes I'll be seeing tonight. I assume I'll see the standard school girls, biker chicks and cowgirls, but how much skin will these women show? I think the degree will vary based on where people purchased these costumes, and if these outfits were homemade. As for the guys, I am curious to see what costumes will be big this year. Sure, I expect to see a bunch of Supermen, Batmen and even maybe some Spider-men. I expect people put spin on some standard costumes, because creativity generates the best costumes.
For more updates on costumes, look to the blog in the wee hours of the morning.
For more updates on costumes, look to the blog in the wee hours of the morning.
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Detox’ keeps drunks from dying
By Alec Luhn
With Halloween and University of Wisconsin Homecoming celebrations coming up this weekend, the Dane County Detox Center will have extra staff on duty to monitor intoxicated revelers.
The center, which admits patients voluntarily and anyone the police deem to be too drunk to care for themselves, will have six additional staffers on duty starting 3 p.m. Saturday to handle an expected influx of patrons.
All 29 beds in the facility will likely be full that night, mostly with partiers from State Street’s Freakfest event, according to center Director Melody Music-Twilla.
Intake numbers are always hard to predict, she said, but the combination of Freakfest and a home football game have staff prepared for the worst.
“Anybody who works here knows when home Badger games are,” said Dede Storberg, a nurse who has worked at the center for ten years. “It’s homecoming, so we know we’re going to be busy.”
Although the detox team is prepared for high numbers of intoxicated people from the State Street area and Camp Randall this weekend, the center has also been taking larger numbers of UW students this fall.
Between August 31 and Oct. 17, the University of Wisconsin Police Department brought 48 UW students to detox, according to department records.
That number has been increasing steadily since the UW Police started keeping records of detox conveyances in 2004, when 14 students were transported over the same period.
The number of students going to detox each school year has also risen, with 112 in 2006-07, compared to 52 in 2003-04. In addition, admissions to detox overall are up, especially among young females, according to Music-Twilla.
An upturn in students going to detox should not be taken lightly, stressed UW police officer Lt. Eric Holen.
"Detox is a very serious thing," Holen said. "This is not just people who are really drunk ... These people are very close to real danger," including sickness and death.
After behaviors including slurred speech, unsteady gait, odor, or a breathalyzer or blood alcohol test indicate drunkenness, police will determine whether a person is too intoxicated to care for him or herself. Even someone is incapacitated, officers will often try to find acquaintances they believe are able to look out for the person before they take him or her to detox.
"A lot of people think detox is punitive, but it's really the only safe place to take them," Holen said.
Anyone who’s admitted is required to stay at least 12 hours, see a substance abuse counselor, and blow 0.0% in a breathalyzer test before leaving. Since counselors are usually only available from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., stays can often last longer.
A trip to detox costs $365 for treatment, not including the drinking ticket most underage students receive.
Interim Assistant Dean of Students Tonya Schmidt, who oversees the UW code of conduct violations under which detox conveyances fall, attributed the increase of students in detox to the larger number of home football games so far this fall.
"It's the rally around the team, 'Let's drink as much as we can before we get in the stadium' mentality," Schmidt said.
This fall, UW Athletics has begun revoking football season tickets when a student goes to detox from the stadium, and the Office of the Dean of Students continues to contact parents whenever a student goes to detox, according to Schmidt.
But some public safety officials are concerned the higher numbers indicate increased binge drinking at the University.
"It's a lot of drinking and a lot of partying that's getting out of control," Music-Twilla said.
Despite police vigilance and increased public awareness about the dangers of overconsumption, the "problem is still there" and remains widely accepted, she said.
"The culture of drinking on campus has become more pervasive," agreed UWPD Officer Shane Driscoll, who compiled the detox records and also works home football games.
He pointed to the even larger numbers of students who recorded a blood-alcohol concentration of more than 0.16% -- twice the 0.8% that is evidence of intoxication under drunk-driving laws - in a breathalyzer test but didn't go to detox.
"All of them would have gone to a medical facility, had we not found someone to care of them," he said.
According to some officials and detox staff, greater awareness may also be heightening watchfulness over drunken behavior. Most people in detox end up there due to the concern of another community member, according to Storberg.
Recent University Health Services efforts to combat binge drinking through education have indeed raised awareness, so "detox conveyance might go up for that reason," said UHS Community Health Specialist Susan Pastor.
"Police may ask somebody to do a breathalyzer where, in the past, that person might not have been a problem," Pastor said.
Holen and Driscoll said police have not stepped up conveyance efforts and are not focusing on drunken behavior more than other criminal activity.
"We're not trying to take kids to detox; we're trying to keep behavior at a safe level," Driscoll said.
With enforcement of anti-binge drinking measures "down to a science" and downtown alcohol density plan addressing the environmental aspect of alcohol abuse, education remains the weak point of Madison's campaign to curtail alcohol problems, according to Joel Plant, the city’s first alcohol policy coordinator who now works as an assistant to the mayor.
"We're working on getting the norm out that there is a standard of behavior -- and puking out of your nose isn't part of it," Plant said.
Officials hope the upturn in detox admissions will help in the effort to diminish alcohol abuse.
"This increase is going to be a (chance) for people to learn more about the issue" of high-risk drinking, Pastor said.
The focus is to eventually reduce the need for detox, Plant said, although for now detox staff remain ready to accommodate the demand.
"Ending up in detox is not a bad thing," Music-Twilla said. "It probably saved your life."
Back to the J335 Freakfest Home page
With Halloween and University of Wisconsin Homecoming celebrations coming up this weekend, the Dane County Detox Center will have extra staff on duty to monitor intoxicated revelers.
The center, which admits patients voluntarily and anyone the police deem to be too drunk to care for themselves, will have six additional staffers on duty starting 3 p.m. Saturday to handle an expected influx of patrons.
All 29 beds in the facility will likely be full that night, mostly with partiers from State Street’s Freakfest event, according to center Director Melody Music-Twilla.
Intake numbers are always hard to predict, she said, but the combination of Freakfest and a home football game have staff prepared for the worst.
“Anybody who works here knows when home Badger games are,” said Dede Storberg, a nurse who has worked at the center for ten years. “It’s homecoming, so we know we’re going to be busy.”
Although the detox team is prepared for high numbers of intoxicated people from the State Street area and Camp Randall this weekend, the center has also been taking larger numbers of UW students this fall.
Between August 31 and Oct. 17, the University of Wisconsin Police Department brought 48 UW students to detox, according to department records.
That number has been increasing steadily since the UW Police started keeping records of detox conveyances in 2004, when 14 students were transported over the same period.
The number of students going to detox each school year has also risen, with 112 in 2006-07, compared to 52 in 2003-04. In addition, admissions to detox overall are up, especially among young females, according to Music-Twilla.
An upturn in students going to detox should not be taken lightly, stressed UW police officer Lt. Eric Holen.
"Detox is a very serious thing," Holen said. "This is not just people who are really drunk ... These people are very close to real danger," including sickness and death.
After behaviors including slurred speech, unsteady gait, odor, or a breathalyzer or blood alcohol test indicate drunkenness, police will determine whether a person is too intoxicated to care for him or herself. Even someone is incapacitated, officers will often try to find acquaintances they believe are able to look out for the person before they take him or her to detox.
"A lot of people think detox is punitive, but it's really the only safe place to take them," Holen said.
Anyone who’s admitted is required to stay at least 12 hours, see a substance abuse counselor, and blow 0.0% in a breathalyzer test before leaving. Since counselors are usually only available from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., stays can often last longer.
A trip to detox costs $365 for treatment, not including the drinking ticket most underage students receive.
Interim Assistant Dean of Students Tonya Schmidt, who oversees the UW code of conduct violations under which detox conveyances fall, attributed the increase of students in detox to the larger number of home football games so far this fall.
"It's the rally around the team, 'Let's drink as much as we can before we get in the stadium' mentality," Schmidt said.
This fall, UW Athletics has begun revoking football season tickets when a student goes to detox from the stadium, and the Office of the Dean of Students continues to contact parents whenever a student goes to detox, according to Schmidt.
But some public safety officials are concerned the higher numbers indicate increased binge drinking at the University.
"It's a lot of drinking and a lot of partying that's getting out of control," Music-Twilla said.
Despite police vigilance and increased public awareness about the dangers of overconsumption, the "problem is still there" and remains widely accepted, she said.
"The culture of drinking on campus has become more pervasive," agreed UWPD Officer Shane Driscoll, who compiled the detox records and also works home football games.
He pointed to the even larger numbers of students who recorded a blood-alcohol concentration of more than 0.16% -- twice the 0.8% that is evidence of intoxication under drunk-driving laws - in a breathalyzer test but didn't go to detox.
"All of them would have gone to a medical facility, had we not found someone to care of them," he said.
According to some officials and detox staff, greater awareness may also be heightening watchfulness over drunken behavior. Most people in detox end up there due to the concern of another community member, according to Storberg.
Recent University Health Services efforts to combat binge drinking through education have indeed raised awareness, so "detox conveyance might go up for that reason," said UHS Community Health Specialist Susan Pastor.
"Police may ask somebody to do a breathalyzer where, in the past, that person might not have been a problem," Pastor said.
Holen and Driscoll said police have not stepped up conveyance efforts and are not focusing on drunken behavior more than other criminal activity.
"We're not trying to take kids to detox; we're trying to keep behavior at a safe level," Driscoll said.
With enforcement of anti-binge drinking measures "down to a science" and downtown alcohol density plan addressing the environmental aspect of alcohol abuse, education remains the weak point of Madison's campaign to curtail alcohol problems, according to Joel Plant, the city’s first alcohol policy coordinator who now works as an assistant to the mayor.
"We're working on getting the norm out that there is a standard of behavior -- and puking out of your nose isn't part of it," Plant said.
Officials hope the upturn in detox admissions will help in the effort to diminish alcohol abuse.
"This increase is going to be a (chance) for people to learn more about the issue" of high-risk drinking, Pastor said.
The focus is to eventually reduce the need for detox, Plant said, although for now detox staff remain ready to accommodate the demand.
"Ending up in detox is not a bad thing," Music-Twilla said. "It probably saved your life."
Back to the J335 Freakfest Home page
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Greeks add guest lists, guards on Halloween
By Danielle Lever
Like everyone else on the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus, Greek organizations are getting ready for the Halloween weekend.
Most of the fraternity and sorority houses are on Langdon Street, directly parallel to State Street where Freakfest, the city's official Halloween party, will occur on Saturday.
While most students are preparing their costumes and deciding which parties to attend, the Greeks are boarding up their houses and hiring security guards. With the influx of people on Langdon Street, the Greeks have safety in mind.
“We hire two security guards and everyone in the house is allowed to bring one guest and we comprise a list of all the
girls and their guests and the security guards check and only those on the list can get in,” said Kate Levenstien, member of
Delta Gamma sorority.
While all 11 sororities on campus have house managers, fraternities do not and are, therefore, forced to maintain safety without the help of authorities.
“Last year we hired 2 security guards, but we are not this year,” said Jared Steinberg, president of Alpha Epsilon Pi. “It is an individual responsibility and we have sent out repeated emails to the house telling (members) not to do anything irresponsible.”
In terms of producing parties, fraternities and sororities are not permitted to host events, according to Student Organization Office rules. However, some find a way to do so, anyway.
The Madison chapter of Sigma Alpha Epsilon was suspended from campus after receiving 266 citations from the Madison police department for their Halloween party in 2005. After the fraternity received $94,000 in citation fines, other houses are careful not to make the same mistake.
“We just had way too many people at the party and things got out of control,” said Daniel Sherman of Sigma Alpha Epsilon.
“Now frats have to be more careful about the parties that they decide to throw.”
Although safety is the main concern, the members of fraternities and sororities are involved in Halloween in other beneficial forms.
One way they participate is Trick or Treat with the Greeks, which occurred on Oct. 19. The program, which pairs a fraternity and sorority together, takes underprivileged Madison area children trick-or-treating up and down Langdon
Street for the afternoon.
“It gave the kids an opportunity to experience a fun Halloween when they might not have been able to,” said Kendal
Friedman, an Alpha Epsilon Phi member.
Halloween may be a scary holiday for some, but the Greeks on campus do everything in their power to ensure that it is not.
Intense preventive measures are taken to enhance safety but the members of the campus sororities and fraternities will be sure to have fun.
“Even though we take heavy security actions, we still enjoy the weekend,” said Levenstien. “We will be right there with everyone else on Langdon and State Streets. We just are going to make sure we partake in the festivities in a safe and conscious manner.”
Back to the J335 Freakfest Home page
Like everyone else on the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus, Greek organizations are getting ready for the Halloween weekend.
Most of the fraternity and sorority houses are on Langdon Street, directly parallel to State Street where Freakfest, the city's official Halloween party, will occur on Saturday.
While most students are preparing their costumes and deciding which parties to attend, the Greeks are boarding up their houses and hiring security guards. With the influx of people on Langdon Street, the Greeks have safety in mind.
“We hire two security guards and everyone in the house is allowed to bring one guest and we comprise a list of all the
girls and their guests and the security guards check and only those on the list can get in,” said Kate Levenstien, member of
Delta Gamma sorority.
While all 11 sororities on campus have house managers, fraternities do not and are, therefore, forced to maintain safety without the help of authorities.
“Last year we hired 2 security guards, but we are not this year,” said Jared Steinberg, president of Alpha Epsilon Pi. “It is an individual responsibility and we have sent out repeated emails to the house telling (members) not to do anything irresponsible.”
In terms of producing parties, fraternities and sororities are not permitted to host events, according to Student Organization Office rules. However, some find a way to do so, anyway.
The Madison chapter of Sigma Alpha Epsilon was suspended from campus after receiving 266 citations from the Madison police department for their Halloween party in 2005. After the fraternity received $94,000 in citation fines, other houses are careful not to make the same mistake.
“We just had way too many people at the party and things got out of control,” said Daniel Sherman of Sigma Alpha Epsilon.
“Now frats have to be more careful about the parties that they decide to throw.”
Although safety is the main concern, the members of fraternities and sororities are involved in Halloween in other beneficial forms.
One way they participate is Trick or Treat with the Greeks, which occurred on Oct. 19. The program, which pairs a fraternity and sorority together, takes underprivileged Madison area children trick-or-treating up and down Langdon
Street for the afternoon.
“It gave the kids an opportunity to experience a fun Halloween when they might not have been able to,” said Kendal
Friedman, an Alpha Epsilon Phi member.
Halloween may be a scary holiday for some, but the Greeks on campus do everything in their power to ensure that it is not.
Intense preventive measures are taken to enhance safety but the members of the campus sororities and fraternities will be sure to have fun.
“Even though we take heavy security actions, we still enjoy the weekend,” said Levenstien. “We will be right there with everyone else on Langdon and State Streets. We just are going to make sure we partake in the festivities in a safe and conscious manner.”
Back to the J335 Freakfest Home page
Recalling '02 riot, Schauf vows no repeat
By Quinn Craugh
It is a police officer’s worst nightmare—a riot fueled by alcohol and anger with the only line of defense being an undermanned and overwhelmed staff resorting to tear gas in fear of their safety.
For Mary Schauf of the Madison Police Department, that was the scenario for the city’s annual Halloween party on State Street in 2002. Schauf, now the MPD central district captain, was only an officer back then and witnessed first hand the nightmare she could not wake up from.
In the early morning hours of the infamous 2002 Halloween, a restless crowd—which police, at the time, estimated to be nearly 65,000—resorted to using bottles, street signs and chunks of concrete as weapons against the oncoming officers. Schauf said it became a situation the 160 police officers on the street could not handle and tear gas—not pepper spray—quelled the riotous partygoers. She explained the images seen that night will forever be etched in her mind.
“In 2002, we used gas to disperse the crowd, because the crowd actually attacked the officers,” she said. “Bottles, bricks, people were disassembling the wall in Peace Park and throwing it all at cops…they tore up the bike racks and used them as battering rams. It was not a pretty picture.”
Still, Schauf could not explain why it happened.
“It’s interesting when you go out into a crowd and when you go into them you can just feel it,” she said. “[In 2002] you could see the tension in them, they were looking for a fight, it’s one of those things that’s hard to describe, but when you see it you know it.”
Madison Common Council President Mike Verveer told the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel in 2002, "[people] were ripping down all the street signs in this intersection and were throwing them at the police…lunging at the cops with them, throwing trash cans at the cops, picking up not one, but two bicycle racks with the bicycles still attached to them and then they threw the bicycle racks at the cops."
Schauf said in her 17 years of service as an officer, nothing will ever compare to that moment, calling it “a low point” in her career. The following morning, police had to answer to store owners, who had theirs shops looted and vandalized. She said a heavy dose of criticism was placed on the police department.
“We had a lot of challenges coming off 2002 and into the future,” she said. “We’d be fools not to learn lessons from what we know.”
The following three years, pepper spray was used to clear State Street after the Halloween party. Mayor Dave Cieslewicz threatened to shut down the event after 2003 because of the disorder. Schauf said the primary reason so many problems occurred in those years was the publicity of an alcohol-fueled event.
In fact, Sports Illustrated published an article in their September 2004 campus edition that labeled Halloween a riotous event.
“Mark Oct. 31 on your calendar with an anarchy sign. We’ll be in Madison, Wis., for its annual Halloween party…in which up to 100,000 revelers parade on State Street,” the article read, adding “Warning this is not your standard trick or treating, there have riots the last two years.”
This article sent much of the community up in arms, and Schauf said it urged people from outside the community, who she said have no stake in the city, to come to Madison and ruin it. She noted most of the arrests made over the past five years have been drunken people, most of whom are not UW-Madison students.
“One of the concerning things we were hearing after 2002 was ‘Let’s go to Madison to riot and loot’,” she said. “We actually had people asking the officers [in the years following], what time the riot starts.”
According to Schauf, the crowd estimates during the problematic years were blown way out of proportion. She said only in the 1970s and 1980s did the crowds eclipse 100,000.
Now, however, Schauf, who grew up in the area and studied health and physical education in college, said this is the most optimistic she has ever been for the event. She said it has been a work in progress—and continues to be—so that stakeholders can be proud of the event.
“Halloween should not be about the police department,” Schauf said. “This is not about people coming to mix it up with the police.”
In 2006, Schauf, along with the mayor and MPD chief Noble Wray, made dramatic changes to the event—ticketing, gating and an increased police presence for starters. In the end it worked and Halloween ended peacefully for the first time in nearly half a decade.
And while Schauf expects ‘Freakfest 2007’ to be like 2006 and nothing like 2002, she knows that any time 40,000 people line a street the ‘what if’ factor remains.
“There’s still going to be a police presence there and we will still be prepared for contingencies,” she said, “but we’re hoping we don’t have to clear the street.”
Back to J335 Freakfest Home page
It is a police officer’s worst nightmare—a riot fueled by alcohol and anger with the only line of defense being an undermanned and overwhelmed staff resorting to tear gas in fear of their safety.
For Mary Schauf of the Madison Police Department, that was the scenario for the city’s annual Halloween party on State Street in 2002. Schauf, now the MPD central district captain, was only an officer back then and witnessed first hand the nightmare she could not wake up from.
In the early morning hours of the infamous 2002 Halloween, a restless crowd—which police, at the time, estimated to be nearly 65,000—resorted to using bottles, street signs and chunks of concrete as weapons against the oncoming officers. Schauf said it became a situation the 160 police officers on the street could not handle and tear gas—not pepper spray—quelled the riotous partygoers. She explained the images seen that night will forever be etched in her mind.
“In 2002, we used gas to disperse the crowd, because the crowd actually attacked the officers,” she said. “Bottles, bricks, people were disassembling the wall in Peace Park and throwing it all at cops…they tore up the bike racks and used them as battering rams. It was not a pretty picture.”
Still, Schauf could not explain why it happened.
“It’s interesting when you go out into a crowd and when you go into them you can just feel it,” she said. “[In 2002] you could see the tension in them, they were looking for a fight, it’s one of those things that’s hard to describe, but when you see it you know it.”
Madison Common Council President Mike Verveer told the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel in 2002, "[people] were ripping down all the street signs in this intersection and were throwing them at the police…lunging at the cops with them, throwing trash cans at the cops, picking up not one, but two bicycle racks with the bicycles still attached to them and then they threw the bicycle racks at the cops."
Schauf said in her 17 years of service as an officer, nothing will ever compare to that moment, calling it “a low point” in her career. The following morning, police had to answer to store owners, who had theirs shops looted and vandalized. She said a heavy dose of criticism was placed on the police department.
“We had a lot of challenges coming off 2002 and into the future,” she said. “We’d be fools not to learn lessons from what we know.”
The following three years, pepper spray was used to clear State Street after the Halloween party. Mayor Dave Cieslewicz threatened to shut down the event after 2003 because of the disorder. Schauf said the primary reason so many problems occurred in those years was the publicity of an alcohol-fueled event.
In fact, Sports Illustrated published an article in their September 2004 campus edition that labeled Halloween a riotous event.
“Mark Oct. 31 on your calendar with an anarchy sign. We’ll be in Madison, Wis., for its annual Halloween party…in which up to 100,000 revelers parade on State Street,” the article read, adding “Warning this is not your standard trick or treating, there have riots the last two years.”
This article sent much of the community up in arms, and Schauf said it urged people from outside the community, who she said have no stake in the city, to come to Madison and ruin it. She noted most of the arrests made over the past five years have been drunken people, most of whom are not UW-Madison students.
“One of the concerning things we were hearing after 2002 was ‘Let’s go to Madison to riot and loot’,” she said. “We actually had people asking the officers [in the years following], what time the riot starts.”
According to Schauf, the crowd estimates during the problematic years were blown way out of proportion. She said only in the 1970s and 1980s did the crowds eclipse 100,000.
Now, however, Schauf, who grew up in the area and studied health and physical education in college, said this is the most optimistic she has ever been for the event. She said it has been a work in progress—and continues to be—so that stakeholders can be proud of the event.
“Halloween should not be about the police department,” Schauf said. “This is not about people coming to mix it up with the police.”
In 2006, Schauf, along with the mayor and MPD chief Noble Wray, made dramatic changes to the event—ticketing, gating and an increased police presence for starters. In the end it worked and Halloween ended peacefully for the first time in nearly half a decade.
And while Schauf expects ‘Freakfest 2007’ to be like 2006 and nothing like 2002, she knows that any time 40,000 people line a street the ‘what if’ factor remains.
“There’s still going to be a police presence there and we will still be prepared for contingencies,” she said, “but we’re hoping we don’t have to clear the street.”
Back to J335 Freakfest Home page
Let's see - this year I'll be...
By Skye Kalkstein
In about a week, the streets of Madison will overflow with an array of characters, not just the typical ghosts and goblins. This is Madison after all, and UW students are feeling the pressure to live up to the city’s most celebrated holiday.
Celebrating Halloween is definitely exciting for most UW students. When asked if Halloween is important to her, one UW sophomore, Shana Domonitch expressed great enthusiasm.
“Yes,” said Domonitch while simultaneously nodding her head. “I look forward to it all year.”
Considering the importance of this holiday among students, costume choice is crucial. Most students said they have been thinking about their outfits for the past two weeks.
Many are looking to Web sites like www.halloweenexpress.com and www.costumecraze.com to shop for costumes. 18-year-old UW student, Courtney Levy bought her, “pit shop hottie” outfit at www.forplaycatalog.com.
“It’s the cutest outfit ever,” said Levy through a smile.
These online Web sites charge upward of $80 for some of their costumes, and cost is a concern for many. Levy compromised, purchasing one costume online, and putting together another outfit on her own.
David Berezow, a junior at the University of Wisconsin, is borrowing a friend’s costume one night to budget his money. Also, Berezow looked locally to purchase his other costume.
“I walked out of the library one day and saw a sign at the bookstore that said Halloween costumes for sale,” told Berezow. “I just went in and bought my Batman costume.”
UW sophomore, Staci Rosenblum, based her Halloween budget on mistakes she made her freshman year.
“After I realized how much I spent last year, and how unimportant it was to buy costumes, I decided to take the cheap route,” said Rosenblum.
It seems students are primarily choosing their costumes to stand out, although Berezow admitted that it won’t be easy.
“It’s hard to stand out in Madison because you have a lot of creative costumes, but I always like being the center of attention,” said Berezow.
While many students are picking costumes that will set them apart from the crowd, several are planning outfits together. For example, Rosenblum plans on being the Flintstone’s Betty while her friend is Wilma.
Although Halloween is commonly celebrated on numerous college campuses, it is absolutely more significant to UW’s students.
“As a former Penn State student, I definitely did not put nearly as much thought into my Halloween costume there as I do here,” said Berezow.
This year’s Halloween celebration will undoubtedly feature shocking, unique costumes. But, this is Madison, and no one expects any less than extraordinary.
Back to J335 Freakfest Home page
In about a week, the streets of Madison will overflow with an array of characters, not just the typical ghosts and goblins. This is Madison after all, and UW students are feeling the pressure to live up to the city’s most celebrated holiday.
Celebrating Halloween is definitely exciting for most UW students. When asked if Halloween is important to her, one UW sophomore, Shana Domonitch expressed great enthusiasm.
“Yes,” said Domonitch while simultaneously nodding her head. “I look forward to it all year.”
Considering the importance of this holiday among students, costume choice is crucial. Most students said they have been thinking about their outfits for the past two weeks.
Many are looking to Web sites like www.halloweenexpress.com and www.costumecraze.com to shop for costumes. 18-year-old UW student, Courtney Levy bought her, “pit shop hottie” outfit at www.forplaycatalog.com.
“It’s the cutest outfit ever,” said Levy through a smile.
These online Web sites charge upward of $80 for some of their costumes, and cost is a concern for many. Levy compromised, purchasing one costume online, and putting together another outfit on her own.
David Berezow, a junior at the University of Wisconsin, is borrowing a friend’s costume one night to budget his money. Also, Berezow looked locally to purchase his other costume.
“I walked out of the library one day and saw a sign at the bookstore that said Halloween costumes for sale,” told Berezow. “I just went in and bought my Batman costume.”
UW sophomore, Staci Rosenblum, based her Halloween budget on mistakes she made her freshman year.
“After I realized how much I spent last year, and how unimportant it was to buy costumes, I decided to take the cheap route,” said Rosenblum.
It seems students are primarily choosing their costumes to stand out, although Berezow admitted that it won’t be easy.
“It’s hard to stand out in Madison because you have a lot of creative costumes, but I always like being the center of attention,” said Berezow.
While many students are picking costumes that will set them apart from the crowd, several are planning outfits together. For example, Rosenblum plans on being the Flintstone’s Betty while her friend is Wilma.
Although Halloween is commonly celebrated on numerous college campuses, it is absolutely more significant to UW’s students.
“As a former Penn State student, I definitely did not put nearly as much thought into my Halloween costume there as I do here,” said Berezow.
This year’s Halloween celebration will undoubtedly feature shocking, unique costumes. But, this is Madison, and no one expects any less than extraordinary.
Back to J335 Freakfest Home page
'Call security!' City hires RTM
By Alec Luhn
After a fiasco over mismanagement of private security at last year’s Freakfest, Madison has contracted a new security firm for this year’s event.
Milwaukee-based firm RTM will replace APA of Madison Inc., which the city hired to staff the 2006 State Street Halloween celebration with 100 security personnel. Even after officials renegotiated the contract to require 75 security workers, only 47 were present at the event, forcing the city to pay 28 of its own employees overtime to staff the gates.
City officials are confident RTM will do a better job at the second annual Freakfest.
“They have a lot of experience and are well-established, so they should be a reliable security provider,” said mayoral spokesman George Twigg.
Frank Productions, the company tapped by planners this year to oversee ticket sales and set up entertainment and sponsorships for Freakfest, recommended the city hire RTM for gate security, according to Twigg. The promoter has a separate contract with RTM for concert security at the three stages on State Street.
“Where city workers were filling the gaps last year, now RTM will be filling in,” said Frank Productions Vice President Dave Maynard.
Over 100 RTM staffers will be on hand at Freakfest for both gate and concert security, according to Maynard. RTM referred all questions to the mayor’s office.
RTM security personnel will work alongside officers from the Madison, Capitol and University of Wisconsin police departments, with state and county police on standby, according to Madison police spokesman Joel DeSpain. Madison and University police declined to give exact numbers due to security concerns.
Although the Madison Police Department is still finalizing security plans, a Madison police chief will oversee all aspects of Freakfest security from a downtown command post, according to DeSpain. Besides the MPD horse patrol and a “full contingent” of officers on foot, police will install surveillance cameras to identify potential problems during the event.
Police will remain in the background for the most part, DeSpain said, although officers will arrest anyone carrying glass containers or otherwise breaking the law at Freakfest.
“Now it’s a professionally run event with corporate sponsors, we’re moving from a police event to something like Summerfest,” he said.
DeSpain said police hope to build on last year’s successes and make fewer arrests at this year’s celebration. At Freakfest 2006, police arrested 143 people, compared to 334 people on the same day in 2005.
“We’re hoping the knuckleheads responsible for rioting years ago won’t come back,” DeSpain said. “We believe last year we turned the corner, and we’re hoping to improve on those successes.
An estimated 35,000 people turned out for last year’s event, and this year officials are anticipating a number closer to the cap of 50,000 tickets, according to Maynard. Even if the crowd does grow, the city is not expecting security to be a major issue, Twigg said.
“This year with higher profile bands there could be more, but more people doesn’t necessarily mean more problems,” he said.
Although Freakfest coincides with the UW Homecoming football game against Indiana, organizers said the overlap would only benefit the celebration by drawing UW alumni and fans.
“That’s what we’re looking for, people who have a connection to Madison, to be at this event,” Maynard said. “They feel more of a sense of ownership in the city.”
The city has $20,000 budgeted for security expenditures, although the combined cost of security and law enforcement at last year’s event was over $800,000, according to Twigg. He expects ticket sales to bring in $130,000 to $150,000.
Maynard said RTM security personnel are prepared to handle whatever crowd control issues may arise. Frank Productions relies on RTM for security at most of its events because of the company’s experience and reputation, he said.
RTM has done security for large concerts and sporting events around Wisconsin. The Alliant Energy Center hires the firm for almost all the performances it hosts, according to Alliant Energy Center Sales and Marketing Director Ted Ballweg.
“We’ve always been impressed with their ability to deal with anything,” Ballweg said. “To hear they’re the vendor for security at Freakfest is very reassuring.”
At the Alliant Energy Center, the firm has handled everything from heavy metal concerts to Madison’s annual Bratfest, which drew around 80,000 people to center grounds this year, Ballweg said.
State Street business owners have also been impressed with the records of Frank Productions and RTM.
“I haven’t heard any concerns about security from downtown businesses,” said Madison Central Business Improvement District Executive Director Mary Carbine. “Between the MPD and their experience with this event and Frank Productions and their experience with arena concerts and security, we feel we’re in good hands.”
DeSpain said he hopes this year’s Freakfest will hearken back to the spirit of Halloween fun he remembers from his days as a UW-Madison student in the early ‘80s.
“Word’s gotten out that things have changed,” he said. “We’re hoping people will behave themselves so they can wake up and watch the Packers the next day.”
Back to J335 Freakfest Home page
After a fiasco over mismanagement of private security at last year’s Freakfest, Madison has contracted a new security firm for this year’s event.
Milwaukee-based firm RTM will replace APA of Madison Inc., which the city hired to staff the 2006 State Street Halloween celebration with 100 security personnel. Even after officials renegotiated the contract to require 75 security workers, only 47 were present at the event, forcing the city to pay 28 of its own employees overtime to staff the gates.
City officials are confident RTM will do a better job at the second annual Freakfest.
“They have a lot of experience and are well-established, so they should be a reliable security provider,” said mayoral spokesman George Twigg.
Frank Productions, the company tapped by planners this year to oversee ticket sales and set up entertainment and sponsorships for Freakfest, recommended the city hire RTM for gate security, according to Twigg. The promoter has a separate contract with RTM for concert security at the three stages on State Street.
“Where city workers were filling the gaps last year, now RTM will be filling in,” said Frank Productions Vice President Dave Maynard.
Over 100 RTM staffers will be on hand at Freakfest for both gate and concert security, according to Maynard. RTM referred all questions to the mayor’s office.
RTM security personnel will work alongside officers from the Madison, Capitol and University of Wisconsin police departments, with state and county police on standby, according to Madison police spokesman Joel DeSpain. Madison and University police declined to give exact numbers due to security concerns.
Although the Madison Police Department is still finalizing security plans, a Madison police chief will oversee all aspects of Freakfest security from a downtown command post, according to DeSpain. Besides the MPD horse patrol and a “full contingent” of officers on foot, police will install surveillance cameras to identify potential problems during the event.
Police will remain in the background for the most part, DeSpain said, although officers will arrest anyone carrying glass containers or otherwise breaking the law at Freakfest.
“Now it’s a professionally run event with corporate sponsors, we’re moving from a police event to something like Summerfest,” he said.
DeSpain said police hope to build on last year’s successes and make fewer arrests at this year’s celebration. At Freakfest 2006, police arrested 143 people, compared to 334 people on the same day in 2005.
“We’re hoping the knuckleheads responsible for rioting years ago won’t come back,” DeSpain said. “We believe last year we turned the corner, and we’re hoping to improve on those successes.
An estimated 35,000 people turned out for last year’s event, and this year officials are anticipating a number closer to the cap of 50,000 tickets, according to Maynard. Even if the crowd does grow, the city is not expecting security to be a major issue, Twigg said.
“This year with higher profile bands there could be more, but more people doesn’t necessarily mean more problems,” he said.
Although Freakfest coincides with the UW Homecoming football game against Indiana, organizers said the overlap would only benefit the celebration by drawing UW alumni and fans.
“That’s what we’re looking for, people who have a connection to Madison, to be at this event,” Maynard said. “They feel more of a sense of ownership in the city.”
The city has $20,000 budgeted for security expenditures, although the combined cost of security and law enforcement at last year’s event was over $800,000, according to Twigg. He expects ticket sales to bring in $130,000 to $150,000.
Maynard said RTM security personnel are prepared to handle whatever crowd control issues may arise. Frank Productions relies on RTM for security at most of its events because of the company’s experience and reputation, he said.
RTM has done security for large concerts and sporting events around Wisconsin. The Alliant Energy Center hires the firm for almost all the performances it hosts, according to Alliant Energy Center Sales and Marketing Director Ted Ballweg.
“We’ve always been impressed with their ability to deal with anything,” Ballweg said. “To hear they’re the vendor for security at Freakfest is very reassuring.”
At the Alliant Energy Center, the firm has handled everything from heavy metal concerts to Madison’s annual Bratfest, which drew around 80,000 people to center grounds this year, Ballweg said.
State Street business owners have also been impressed with the records of Frank Productions and RTM.
“I haven’t heard any concerns about security from downtown businesses,” said Madison Central Business Improvement District Executive Director Mary Carbine. “Between the MPD and their experience with this event and Frank Productions and their experience with arena concerts and security, we feel we’re in good hands.”
DeSpain said he hopes this year’s Freakfest will hearken back to the spirit of Halloween fun he remembers from his days as a UW-Madison student in the early ‘80s.
“Word’s gotten out that things have changed,” he said. “We’re hoping people will behave themselves so they can wake up and watch the Packers the next day.”
Back to J335 Freakfest Home page
Troubled by "slutification" of Halloween
By Skye Kalkstein
After conducting interviews with many young women about their Halloween costumes, I have to come an alarming conclusion… That Halloween has become “slutified.”
The women mentioned buying their outfits at Web sites like www.legavenue.com and www.forplaycatalog.com. The first image seen when opening one of these sites is a picture of a woman unzipping her costume to reveal her breasts. Next to this picture is text that reads, “SEXY COSTUMES.”
I decided to navigate the site and see these “sexy costumes,” for myself. Almost all of the images show women’s mid-drifts and or breasts.
What I find troubling is that beautiful, smart young women are willing to endorse these sexed-up Halloween costumes. In interviews, women placed emphasis on looking “cute,” or “hot,” on Halloween. Also, in many classes I have heard numerous girls talk about how they must start their Halloween diets, to be slim in their outfits.
It has become standard for girls to feel that they need to wear these costumes, and look sexy on Halloween. One source of this ideal could be the mass media, seen in 2004’s “Mean Girls.” The film’s protagonist says how Halloween is the one night of the year a girl can dress like a slut, and no other girls can say anything about it. If the mass media is endorsing this ideal, it becomes harder for young women to resist it.
Further, peers play a large role in influencing a person’s attitude and actions. If a girl’s friends are all purchasing these costumes, it’s likely that she will be motivated to buy one, too.
I do not mean to criticize young women who purchase and wear these costumes. If someone genuinely wants to wear these outfits… Good for them. However, if pressure from society and peers is causing them to wear them, that’s a problem.
This trend in sexed-up Halloween costumes will probably continue as Web sites like www.forplaycatalog.com grow in popularity. What I hope young women will do is ask themselves why they are buying these costumes, and hopefully realize they don’t need to be “sexy,” to have a great Halloween.
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After conducting interviews with many young women about their Halloween costumes, I have to come an alarming conclusion… That Halloween has become “slutified.”
The women mentioned buying their outfits at Web sites like www.legavenue.com and www.forplaycatalog.com. The first image seen when opening one of these sites is a picture of a woman unzipping her costume to reveal her breasts. Next to this picture is text that reads, “SEXY COSTUMES.”
I decided to navigate the site and see these “sexy costumes,” for myself. Almost all of the images show women’s mid-drifts and or breasts.
What I find troubling is that beautiful, smart young women are willing to endorse these sexed-up Halloween costumes. In interviews, women placed emphasis on looking “cute,” or “hot,” on Halloween. Also, in many classes I have heard numerous girls talk about how they must start their Halloween diets, to be slim in their outfits.
It has become standard for girls to feel that they need to wear these costumes, and look sexy on Halloween. One source of this ideal could be the mass media, seen in 2004’s “Mean Girls.” The film’s protagonist says how Halloween is the one night of the year a girl can dress like a slut, and no other girls can say anything about it. If the mass media is endorsing this ideal, it becomes harder for young women to resist it.
Further, peers play a large role in influencing a person’s attitude and actions. If a girl’s friends are all purchasing these costumes, it’s likely that she will be motivated to buy one, too.
I do not mean to criticize young women who purchase and wear these costumes. If someone genuinely wants to wear these outfits… Good for them. However, if pressure from society and peers is causing them to wear them, that’s a problem.
This trend in sexed-up Halloween costumes will probably continue as Web sites like www.forplaycatalog.com grow in popularity. What I hope young women will do is ask themselves why they are buying these costumes, and hopefully realize they don’t need to be “sexy,” to have a great Halloween.
Back to J335 Freakfest Home page
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