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
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