MADISON, Wis. -- In years past, Halloween in Madison was a time of fright -- not necessarily for the costumed partiers roaming the downtown streets but for city leaders and law enforcement.

To tame the sometimes unruly crowds that spilled out on to the city's main drag during bar time on Halloween, three years ago city officials actively began to organize what was previously a spontaneous street event. Rechristened as Freakfest, the event became more of a downtown happening than the near-riot it was sometimes in the unregulated years.

As with last year, the city partnered with local promoter Frank Productions to lure several national and Wisconsin acts to appear on a trio of stages dotted along State Street. With college-rock favorites O.A.R. headlining, this year's installment of Freakfest is poised to be the biggest yet.

Freakfest is slated to begin at 7 p.m. along State Street in Madison.

Note: Check back at Channel 3000 for full Freakfest coverage, including a livestream of the action along State Street and a live blog of what's happening.

Visit Channel 3000's Freakfest section for more information.