This year’s Halloween celebrations to be held Saturday are expected to run smoothly and safely, according to Freakfest organizers and city officials at a press conference Thursday.
With gates opening at 7 p.m., according to Tag Evers of Frank Productions, Freakfest this year is set to feature American Authors, Atmosphere and The Mowgli’s.
While the event setup requires street closings in order to make way for stages and crowds of people, officials aren’t worried about the logistics.
“There’s nothing different this year,” city traffic engineer Tom Moore said. “Streets will start closing at 4:45 p.m. Basically any street that crosses over State Street will be closed [for the event].”
Street closings include West Gilman, West Gorham and West Johnson streets, according to a city of Madison press release.
Once the entertainment acts in the event are done, Freakfest attendees generally leave pretty quickly and without conflict, according to Madison Police Department Lt. Dave McCaw.
“We’re staffing [Freakfest with officers] above what we would normally do for Friday,” McCaw said. “If we’re not seeing issues, we’ll send officers home.”
McCaw credits the partnership between Frank Productions and the city with facilitating the change of Freakfest from a drunken riot to entertainment event.
“We’re seeing a reduction in arrests,” McCaw said. “People are saying ‘I feel safer.’ The key is that we prepare for everything.”
Alcohol and costume weapons will not be allowed in at the venue. Tickets bought before Freakfest cost $8, and tickets bought on the day of Freakfest will cost $12.
