Madison and Halloween. For decades the two have been synonymous. Each year, students and spectators descend on State Street for the immense party dedicated to costumes and alcohol. This year was no different, as the attendance was estimated at 34,000. Last year became the first year the city charged admission to the gathering, while this year marked the rise of corporate sponsorship of the event.
A ticket provided by a friend informed me that the now-named “Feakfest” was brought to me by Mountain Dew. Since it was free, I decided to made my way to State Street late Saturday to check out the remaining costumes and have a beer. Memories of tear gas at such late hours in recent years permeated my mind. Was last year the exception to the rule, or would it be a night without incident?
As the evening ended, the party proceeded without trouble. The Wisconsin State Journal says that 120 arrests were made, down from 148 last year and 334 during the last riot year of 2005. Since this was my first year checking out the corporate “Freakfest,” I decided to discuss my observations of the event.
The bands serve as a deterrent for the rowdy behavior of years past. They provide spectators an alternative to drinking, and they provide an unofficial “end” to the evening, as many leave once the music stops.
The tension has dissipated. During the riot years you could feel the mood shift, and we left before the problems started. That never happened this year. Patrons were laughing and joking with police on their way out, thanking them for their assistance.
Lack of originality. Maybe it is just because I am a man that I notice what women are wearing most often. Maybe it’s because they are not usually wearing much. The “slutty” insert-random-profession-here is by far the most popular costume women wear. While the male part of me enjoys it a bit, the creative part of me screams in horror. You’re college students, spend five minutes and come up with something creative, and possibly warmer.
Read more about Madison’s Halloween celebration via WSJ