State Street Halloween Party
state street halloween party annual halloween festival located madison wisconsin ten thousand partygoer many dressed halloween costume attended event state street downtown area madison attendee student university wisconsin–madison guest others came across wisconsin elsewhere city took control event renaming freakfest began charging admission prior event saw crowd plethora riotous behavior freakfest cancelled due concern related covid pandemic event cancelled due lack funding support return however state street popular nightlife destination saw marked increase crowd halloween weekend requiring madison police department larger normal presence area group uw madison student started block party halloween night due growing popularity student government began sponsor event fundraiser however legal drinking age changed fundraising ceased primary moneymaking source gone leading eventual end student government sponsorship late crowd size varied event size grew significantly largely culminated rioting resulting vandalism theft property damage arson assault resulting hundred arrest costing city thousand dollar event became point contention local government costing city cost additional police potential damage local business protection city reputation prompted concern madison leader suggested canceling event altogether riot police used tear gas disperse riotous crowd arrest occurred summer thenmayor dave cieslewicz unveiled city plan upcoming halloween event plan consisted blocking state street charging admission select point entry closing street midnight result riotous behavior ceased event became largely peaceful festival city government officially named event freakfest festival included film live performance nationally known musical artist sponsor mountain dew alcohol possession consumption street prohibited local bar restaurant served freakfest attendee data ticket sold