State Street Halloween Party
Encyclopedia
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 celebration
s 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.
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. The price has increased since.
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.
Ticket prices for the event are currently $8 in advanced and $12 the day of the event.
Madison, Wisconsin
Madison is the capital of the U.S. state of Wisconsin and the county seat of Dane County. It is also home to the University of Wisconsin–Madison....
.
State Street has gained recognition as a gathering place for tens of thousands of party-goers from several states on Halloween
Halloween
Hallowe'en , also known as Halloween or All Hallows' Eve, is a yearly holiday observed around the world on October 31, the night before All Saints' Day...
. In recent years, the celebration
Festival
A festival or gala is an event, usually and ordinarily staged by a local community, which centers on and celebrates some unique aspect of that community and the Festival....
s 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 CieslewiczDave Cieslewicz
David J. Cieslewicz ; born February 17, 1959) is an American politician who served as mayor of Madison, Wisconsin from 2003 to 2011. He is a member of the Democratic Party.-Personal life and early career:...
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. The price has increased since.
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.
O.A.R.
O.A.R. is an American rock band composed of Marc Roberge , Chris Culos , Richard On , Benj Gershman , and Jerry DePizzo...
as its headliner and took place on November 1.
Ticket prices for the event are currently $8 in advanced and $12 the day of the event.
Attendance and arrest rates
Ever since it was changed to a city-organized event in 2006, the number of arrests has declined steadliy:| 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 | 35,000 | 43 | 0.12% |
| 2011 | 25,000 | 30 | 0.12% |
2010 Bands Playing
- OK GoOK GoOK Go is a rock band originally from Chicago, Illinois, USA, now residing in Los Angeles, California, USA. The band is composed of Damian Kulash , Tim Nordwind , Dan Konopka and Andy Ross , who joined them in 2005, replacing Andy Duncan...
- DJ Will Calder
- Little Big TownLittle Big TownLittle Big Town is an American country music vocal group. Founded in 1998, the group has comprised the same four members since its inception: Karen Fairchild, Kimberly Schlapman, Jimi Westbrook, and Phillip Sweet. The quartet's musical style relies heavily on four-part vocal harmonies, with all...
- My Dear DiscoMy Dear DiscoElla Riot is a musical group based in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Released in January 2009, their debut full-length album, DanceThink LP, fuses electro-pop, funk, rock, and techno into a distinctive sound the band members have dubbed "DanceThink." Named one of the most promising bands in the nation by the...
- Stealing AngelsStealing AngelsStealing Angels is an American country group composed of Caroline Cutbirth, Tayla Lynn, and Jennifer Wayne. Their debut single, "He Better Be Dead," was released to radio on July 12, 2010, and debuted at number 59 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Songs chart...
- Aaron Williams And The HoodooAaron Williams and the HoodooAaron Williams and the Hoodoo is an American blues/rock power trio, based in Madison, WI. Led by Aaron Williams on guitar, the band’s sound is likely best described by “Ole Harv” of as “blues and roll for the masses.” Aaron is joined in the band by Eric Shackelford on drums and Z on bass...
- Daniel And The Lion
- Mike Droho & The Compass Rose
- Mechanical Kids
- MULTIMEDIAMultimediaMultimedia is media and content that uses a combination of different content forms. The term can be used as a noun or as an adjective describing a medium as having multiple content forms. The term is used in contrast to media which use only rudimentary computer display such as text-only, or...
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 BlindThird Eye BlindThird Eye Blind is an American alternative rock band formed in the early 1990s in San Francisco. The songwriting duo of Kevin Cadogan and Stephan Jenkins signed the band's first major label recording contract with Elektra records in 1996 resulting in two multi platinum albums. The band's lineup...
an alternative rockAlternative rockAlternative rock is a genre of rock music and a term used to describe a diverse musical movement that emerged from the independent music underground of the 1980s and became widely popular by the 1990s...
band formed in the early 1990s in San Francisco. - Cage The ElephantCage the ElephantCage the Elephant is an American rock band from Bowling Green, Kentucky, that formed in mid-2006. Since their formation, the band has gained a large following in the US as well as the UK and Canada for their sound and their high-energy live performances. The band released their self-titled debut...
a rock band from Bowling GreenBowling Green, KentuckyBowling Green is the third-most populous city in the state of Kentucky after Louisville and Lexington, with a population of 58,067 as of the 2010 Census. It is the county seat of Warren County and the principal city of the Bowling Green, Kentucky Metropolitan Statistical Area with an estimated 2009...
, KentuckyKentuckyThe Commonwealth of Kentucky is a state located in the East Central United States of America. As classified by the United States Census Bureau, Kentucky is a Southern state, more specifically in the East South Central region. Kentucky is one of four U.S. states constituted as a commonwealth...
where they were originally known as "Perfect Confusion." - Push PlayPush PlayPush Play was a pop rock band formed on Long Island, NY. The band consisted of CJ Baran , Steve Scarola , Nick Deturris and Derek Ries . The band had found success without a label by utilizing social networking and selling their albums on iTunes and other online music vendors...
a rockRock musicRock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
bandBand (music)In music, a musical ensemble or band is a group of musicians that works together to perform music. The following articles concern types of musical bands:* All-female band* Big band* Boy band* Christian band* Church band* Concert band* Cover band...
formed in Long Island, NY. - Hot Chelle RaeHot Chelle RaeHot Chelle Rae is a pop rock band formed in Nashville, Tennessee, in 2005. The band consists of Ryan Follese , Nash Overstreet , Ian Keaggy , and Jamie Follese . Their debut album, Lovesick Electric, was released on October 27, 2009...
an alternative rockAlternative rockAlternative rock is a genre of rock music and a term used to describe a diverse musical movement that emerged from the independent music underground of the 1980s and became widely popular by the 1990s...
band formed in Nashville, TennesseeTennesseeTennessee is a U.S. state located in the Southeastern United States. It has a population of 6,346,105, making it the nation's 17th-largest state by population, and covers , making it the 36th-largest by total land area...
, in 2005. - Priscilla ReneaPriscilla ReneaPriscilla Renea Hamilton is an American singer and songwriter. She is signed to Capitol Records, and her debut album, Jukebox, was released on December 1, 2009 but failed to garner success. Her second album is expected to be released sometime in 2011, although no official release details have been...
- LocksleyLocksley (band)Locksley is an indie four-piece pop rock/power pop band from Madison, Wisconsin. They are self-released on their own Feature Records label. Their songwriting is heavily influenced by early British Invasion bands with an instrumental style based more on early American punk bands and modern garage...
a four-piece rockRock musicRock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
band that was originally formed in Madison, WisconsinMadison, WisconsinMadison is the capital of the U.S. state of Wisconsin and the county seat of Dane County. It is also home to the University of Wisconsin–Madison....
in 2003, but is now based in BrooklynBrooklynBrooklyn is the most populous of New York City's five boroughs, with nearly 2.6 million residents, and the second-largest in area. Since 1896, Brooklyn has had the same boundaries as Kings County, which is now the most populous county in New York State and the second-most densely populated...
. - The NodThe NodThe Nod is an American Indie-Rock band from Madison, Wisconsin, formed in 2008 at the University of Wisconsin. Their debut EP, Shoddy Heart, earned the band live TV appearances on and , as well as opening appearances for national touring acts OK GO, and Third Eye Blind...
- Fever MarleneFever MarleneFever Marlene is a rock band from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA. Fever Marlene released their much buzzed about album titled, Civil War on Rev Pop Records. The band has toured with the bands such as The Flaming Lips, Social Distortion, The Redwalls, Donita Sparks, Gavin Rossdale, and Tapes N Tapes...
a rock bandRock BandRock Band is a music video game developed by Harmonix Music Systems, published by MTV Games and Electronic Arts. It is the first title in the Rock Band series. The PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 versions were released in the United States on November 20, 2007, while the PlayStation 2 version was...
from Milwaukee, WisconsinWisconsinWisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is...
, USA. - Green Means Go
- Sweet Grass
- DJ Will Calder
2008 Bands
- O.A.R.O.A.R.O.A.R. is an American rock band composed of Marc Roberge , Chris Culos , Richard On , Benj Gershman , and Jerry DePizzo...
an AmericanUnited StatesThe United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
rock bandRock BandRock Band is a music video game developed by Harmonix Music Systems, published by MTV Games and Electronic Arts. It is the first title in the Rock Band series. The PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 versions were released in the United States on November 20, 2007, while the PlayStation 2 version was...
originally from Ohio State UniversityOhio State UniversityThe Ohio State University, commonly referred to as Ohio State, is a public research university located in Columbus, Ohio. It was originally founded in 1870 as a land-grant university and is currently the third largest university campus in the United States...
. - Donavon FrankenreiterDonavon FrankenreiterDonavon Frankenreiter is an American musician and surfer. He is a long-time friend of Jack Johnson and his debut self-titled album was released in 2004 on Johnson's Brushfire Records through Universal Music and made the Australian ARIA Top-40 charts in April 2004.-Surfing career:He took up surfing...
a surfer and mellow pop musician from San Clemente, CaliforniaSan Clemente, CaliforniaSan Clemente is a city in Orange County, California. The population was 63,522 at the 2010 census. Located on the California Coast, midway between Los Angeles and San Diego at the southern tip of the county, it is known for its ocean, hill, and mountain views, a pleasant climate and its Spanish...
. - The Hard LessonsThe Hard LessonsThe Hard Lessons are a rock band from Detroit, Michigan, known for their high-energy live appearances and innovative sound. The band has toured extensively in the United States and Europe...
a Motown and soulSoul musicSoul music is a music genre originating in the United States combining elements of gospel music and rhythm and blues. According to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, soul is "music that arose out of the black experience in America through the transmutation of gospel and rhythm & blues into a form of...
band from Detroit - Thriving IvoryThriving ivoryThriving Ivory is an American rock band who originated in the San Francisco Bay area. They released their self-titled Wind-up Records debut album on June 24, 2008. The debut album reached #1 on the Billboard Heatseekers chart on the strength of the charting single "Angels on the Moon"...
a five-member American rock bandRock BandRock Band is a music video game developed by Harmonix Music Systems, published by MTV Games and Electronic Arts. It is the first title in the Rock Band series. The PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 versions were released in the United States on November 20, 2007, while the PlayStation 2 version was...
who originated in Santa Barbara, CaliforniaSanta Barbara, CaliforniaSanta Barbara is the county seat of Santa Barbara County, California, United States. Situated on an east-west trending section of coastline, the longest such section on the West Coast of the United States, the city lies between the steeply-rising Santa Ynez Mountains and the Pacific Ocean...
before relocating to San Francisco, California. - The DollyrotsThe DollyrotsThe Dollyrots are an American pop punk band composed of Kelly Ogden and Luis Cabezas . They have released three studio albums and are currently signed to the Blackheart Records label.-Formation:...
a punk bubblegum popBubblegum popBubblegum pop is a genre of pop music with an upbeat sound contrived and marketed to appeal to pre-teens and teenagers, produced in an assembly-line process, driven by producers, often using unknown singers.Bubblegum's classic period ran from 1967 to 1972...
band originally from FloridaFloridaFlorida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
who are now based in Los AngelesLos ÁngelesLos Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
, California. - Natty Nation a reggae band from Madison, WisconsinMadison, WisconsinMadison is the capital of the U.S. state of Wisconsin and the county seat of Dane County. It is also home to the University of Wisconsin–Madison....
. - Awesome Car Funmaker a pop glamGlam rockGlam rock is a style of rock and pop music that developed in the UK in the early 1970s, which was performed by singers and musicians who wore outrageous clothes, makeup and hairstyles, particularly platform-soled boots and glitter...
band from Madison, Wisconsin. - The Box SocialThe Box SocialThe Box Social was an American rock band from the Midwestern United States based in Madison, Wisconsin, the state's capital in the south-central region, that broke up in November 2008...
an AmericanUnited StatesThe United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
rock bandRock BandRock Band is a music video game developed by Harmonix Music Systems, published by MTV Games and Electronic Arts. It is the first title in the Rock Band series. The PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 versions were released in the United States on November 20, 2007, while the PlayStation 2 version was...
from the Midwestern United StatesMidwestern United StatesThe Midwestern United States is one of the four U.S. geographic regions defined by the United States Census Bureau, providing an official definition of the American Midwest....
based in Madison, WisconsinMadison, WisconsinMadison is the capital of the U.S. state of Wisconsin and the county seat of Dane County. It is also home to the University of Wisconsin–Madison.... - Blueheels an indieIndie rockIndie rock is a genre of alternative rock that originated in the United Kingdom and the United States in the 1980s. Indie rock is extremely diverse, with sub-genres that include lo-fi, post-rock, math rock, indie pop, dream pop, noise rock, space rock, sadcore, riot grrrl and emo, among others...
rock bandRock BandRock Band is a music video game developed by Harmonix Music Systems, published by MTV Games and Electronic Arts. It is the first title in the Rock Band series. The PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 versions were released in the United States on November 20, 2007, while the PlayStation 2 version was...
from Neenah, WisconsinNeenah, WisconsinNeenah is a city on Lake Winnebago in Winnebago County, Wisconsin, United States. Its population was 24,507 at the 2000 census. The city is bordered by, but is politically independent of, the Town of Neenah. Neenah is the southwestern-most of the Fox Cities of Northeast Wisconsin...
. - The Mighty Short Bus a rock bandRock BandRock Band is a music video game developed by Harmonix Music Systems, published by MTV Games and Electronic Arts. It is the first title in the Rock Band series. The PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 versions were released in the United States on November 20, 2007, while the PlayStation 2 version was...
from Madison, WisconsinMadison, WisconsinMadison is the capital of the U.S. state of Wisconsin and the county seat of Dane County. It is also home to the University of Wisconsin–Madison....
.