With a lower number of arrests and increased ticket sales at Freakfest 2008 Saturday, police are hailing the event as a hat trick"" - the third successful Halloween celebration in a row since the city began gating off State Street and charging admission to the event.
The Madison Police Department reported 77 arrests as of 2:45 a.m. Saturday - a significant decrease from the 126 arrests made at Freakfest 2007. MPD public information officer Joel DeSpain said there were a few fights but most arrests were for minor offenses such as open intoxicants and underage drinking.
""The crowd overall was very well behaved [and] people had a great time. There were a couple of incidents but nothing really serious, no property damage,"" DeSpain said. ""We've had three successful Freakfests in a row and were very pleased with the way it went.""
DeSpain also said there were several small house parties reported in the downtown area, including a larger party a good distance away from Freakfest on Mound Street.
The regional draw of Freakfest brought a number of area law enforcement agencies together to police the event. Officers from the MPD, Wisconsin State Patrol, the Dane County Sheriff's Department, the University of Wisconsin Police Department, Capitol Police, the Fitchburg Police Department, the Sun Prairie Police Department and RTM Security were all on hand to patrol the crowds.
Ticket sales for this year's event also increased from Freakfest 2007 with an estimated 38,300 sold in 2008 compared to 34,000 attendees last year, despite a hike in ticket prices. Attendees paid $7 for advance tickets and $10 the day of Freakfest, up from the $5 advance price and $7 day of charge in 2007.
Among the thousands of Freakfest partygoers was Madison Mayor Dave Cieslewicz, who observed the crowd while walking down State Street in everyday attire.
""I came as the mayor,"" Cieslewicz joked. ""It seems like [the crowd] is in a good mood. It seems like people are having a good time and I don't see any pushing or shoving or anybody being rude. I think it's going to work out fine.""
UW-Madison sophomore Katherine Biskupic said she was enjoying her second year at Freakfest even more than the first because she knew what to expect from the event.
""I think it's so fun if it's all in moderation, but some people overdo it,"" Biskupic said. ""It's been pretty tame [this year].""
