The moods at Saturday's State Street Freakfest split between those optimistic to see multiple concerts for a few dollars and those disheartened at the commercialization of the once unique Madison tradition.
This year's event lineup included three stages with nationally known music acts, but it was the main attraction for only a small section of the 34,000 plus crowd.
We came just for the bands,"" said Shanti Mathew, a UW-Madison junior and fan of performers Lifehouse and Matt Wertz. ""It's not everyday you get to see people like that for five bucks,"" added her friend Dana North, a student at Iowa State.
Many others were less enthusiastic about the bands, but liked the lively atmosphere they provided.
""I did not come for Lifehouse. I didn't even know they were here, but I'm going to enjoy it,"" said Johnny, a UW-Madison senior who was content with his evening on State Street. ""It's just about having a good time.""
Although nearly everyone who attended Freakfest contended they were having fun, some only reluctantly bought tickets.
""You don't get a better party, but having to pay money to get tickets is pretty ridiculous,"" said Matt Harnden, a senior at UW-LaCrosse who has visited Madison for many Halloweens. ""It's supposed to be a free party where everybody has fun and you don't have to pay for it.""
Many students, who use State Street as a route to get to friends' houses across town, said Freakfest encompassing the whole road was a hassle for their evening plans.
""I had no choice. Since I live on Gilman, I had to buy a ticket just so I could cross State,"" said Vanessa Woodman, a UW-Madison junior. ""I see no other way to monitor [the street] except making the event free again.""
UW-Madison junior Sam Gillette said she was ""embarrassed"" to buy a ticket beforehand. She also seemed unenthusiastic about the restructuring of the event from years past.
""It's really commercialized - almost like a mini Summerfest ticket,"" Gillette said of the event. ""You have to pay to walk down your own street.""
Although Gillette did not go for the music, she noted the prominent advertising from Mountain Dew and Milio's probably served as a buffer to keep revelers interested in activities other than violence.
As a result, she said, the crowds remained focused on the live music, rather than harming the city like in previous years.
UW-Madison freshmen, who may only know second-hand stories of what State Street Halloween once was, seemed to be among Freakfest's biggest fans.
A group of freshman living in Chadbourne called the event ""kickass"" as they exited State Street at 1:30 a.m. ""We definitely bought tickets just for the State Street atmosphere,"" one said. ""We wanted to go for the experience.""
