Thousands of UW-Madison students and visitors will crowd State Street this Saturday to take part in Freakfest 2007 brought to you by Mountain Dew."" City officials predict increased profit this year with the help of more ticket sales.
According to Ald. Eli Judge, District 8,
Freakfest brought in $125,000 overall last year, but the city anticipates much more revenue this year because tickets are $7 on the day of Freakfest instead of $5.
He said ticket sales have increased this year in comparison to last year at this time - o - oone week after sales began.
David Maynard of Frank Productions, the company in charge of tickets, media and advertising for the event, said the city has sold over 5,000 tickets thus far.
Maynard said it is hard to determine whether more students will buy tickets on the night of the event, but seems to think students have found it easier to buy tickets in advance at various locations on campus, such as The University Bookstore, Ragstock and Uno's Chicago Grill, rather than waiting in line at a single booth.
Last year, tickets were sold at a booth on Library Mall.
Vice President of The University Bookstore, Pat McGowen, said the store alone has already sold 1,100 Freakfest tickets. The store ran out of tickets Tuesday afternoon, but planned to receive another shipment later in the day.
""There is a huge buzz around campus in anticipation of Freakfest,"" said Julie Chou, an Associated Students of Madison freshman representative, who already bought her ticket for Freakfest.
""A lot of my friends have already bought tickets because they do not want to pay the extra two dollars on Saturday. It was really easy for us to run down to the bookstore and buy a ticket.""
According to Mary Carbine, Madison's Central Business Improvement District executive director, who organized the small business ticket sales in the city, people have high hopes for Freakfest 2007.
""We are very hopeful that again it will be a peaceful and fun celebration,"" she said. ""We encourage everyone to come on down to State Street and celebrate in a safe and respectful way.""
Freakfest tickets are $5 until Friday at 10 p.m. or $7 at Library Mall on Saturday starting at 10 a.m. Tickets are also available online at http://www.frankproductions.com.
