State Street Halloween Party

State Street Halloween Party
State Street Halloween Party, Madison, WI
Date(s)	Sun, Oct, 31st 2010
Begins	7:00 pm
Ends	1:30 am
Frequency	Annual
Location(s)	State St. Madison, WI
Inaugurated	1979
Participants	100k people

The State Street Halloween Party is an annual Halloween party in Madison, Wisconsin.

State Street has gained recognition as a gathering place for tens of thousands of party-goers from several states on Halloween. In recent years, the celebrations have become a point of contention in local government, and have seen crowds of approximately 100,000, many dressed in costume.

The Halloween celebration, which lasts all weekend, has often culminated in rioting, contributing to the "wild" reputation of the University of Wisconsin–Madison. The cost of additional police force, the potential of damage to local businesses, and the protection of the city's reputation have prompted the concern of Madison leaders, some of whom have suggested canceling the event altogether. The university has also taken steps to curtail Halloween mayhem, including restrictions on guests at University residence halls during the weekend.

City government influence

In the summer of 2006, Mayor Dave Cieslewicz unveiled the city's plan for the upcoming Halloween events on State Street. The plan at its core consisted of blocking off State Street, charging five dollars for admission from select points of entry and closing off the street at midnight.

As of 2006, the city government officially calls the party "Freakfest." It includes both films and live performances by nationally known bands. The 2008 version of Freakfest had O.A.R. as its headliner and took place on November 1.

Attendance and arrest rates

Ever since it was changed to a city-organized event in 2006, attendance has grown steadily while the number of arrests have declined:

Year	Attendance	Arrests	Arrest Rate
2001	60,000 to 70,000	0	0%
2002	65,000
2003	65,000 Fri; 40,000 Sat	350 (180 Fri, 170 Sat)	0.27% Fri, 0.43% Sat
2004	80,000
2005	100,000	334 to 566	0.33% to 0.57%
City government took control of event from the university student government
2006	32,000	148 to 230	0.46% to 0.72%
2007	34,000	181 (55 Fri, 126 Sat)	0.53%
2008	38,000	77	0.20%
2009	44,000	47	0.11%

2010 Bands Playing

• To be announced.

Previous Bands

Many notable bands have played at the State Street Halloween Party. In previous years a few national band headlined the party along with local bands.

2009 Bands

• Third Eye Blind an alternative rock band formed in the early 1990s in San Francisco.
• Cage The Elephant a rock band from Bowling Green, Kentucky where they were originally known as "Perfect Confusion."
• Push Play a rock band formed in Long Island, NY.
• Hot Chelle Rae an alternative rock band formed in Nashville, Tennessee, in 2005.
• Priscilla Renea
• Locksley a four-piece rock band that was originally formed in Madison, Wisconsin in 2003, but is now based in Brooklyn.
• The Nod
• Fever Marlene a rock band from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA.
• Green Means Go
• Sweet Grass
• DJ Will Calder

2008 Bands

• O.A.R. an American rock band originally from Ohio State University.
• Donavon Frankenreiter a surfer and mellow pop musician from San Clemente, California.
• The Hard Lessons a Motown and soul band from Detroit
• Thriving Ivory a five-member American rock band who originated in Santa Barbara, California before relocating to San Francisco, California.
• The Dollyrots a punk bubblegum pop band originally from Florida who are now based in Los Angeles, California.
• Natty Nation a reggae band from Madison, Wisconsin.
• Awesome Car Funmaker a pop glam band from Madison, Wisconsin.
• The Box Social an American rock band from the Midwestern United States based in Madison, Wisconsin
• Blueheels an indie rock band from Neenah, Wisconsin.
• The Mighty Short Bus a rock band from Madison, Wisconsin.