Saturday, October 27, 2007
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.
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