Here is a list of frequently asked questions about "Freakfest 2009," the city-sanctioned event planned for the night of Oct. 31, along State Street in Madison.

Click on the links below for brief information about topics related to the event. Check back for frequent updates:

Halloween Information: History | The Plan | Hours | Tickets | Music | Food | Parking | Taxis | Transportation Information | Bike Information | Police Safety Recommendations |Glass Free Zone

History

Click here to read an article about the history of Halloween on State Street.

The Plan

A long and sometimes infamous tradition in Madison, the annual Halloween celebrations along State Street date back to the 1970s.

City officials said that with attendance sometimes hovering around 70,000 people, various arrests and reports of violence and property damage have sometimes accompanied the event, which typically occurred the Saturday prior to Halloween.

In previous years, authorities have often resorted to using pepper spray or other crowd-dispersal agents to break up the festivities. The 2005 event cost taxpayers $600,000 as various government agencies had to assist in the policing the event.

In 2006, Madison Mayor Dave Cieslewicz spearheaded an effort to organize the event so as to corral the excesses that have sometimes marred it and the city's reputation in years past. City and law-enforcement officials have said that the new plan was designed to curb the rioting, injuries and property damage that have sometimes accompanied the celebration in years past.

To do this, Cieslewicz and the Madison Common Council adopted a plan that would ring a fence around State Street, sell tickets for $5 apiece, and cap the event's capacity at 80,000.

Madison's 2006 Halloween celebration went off without the riots and police confrontations that marred the party in past years. Officials said that success was due in large part to the city's increased involvement in the 2006 event.

The city brought back Freakfest in 2007, with local promotion company Frank Productions doing a large share of the organizing. The city called the 2007 event, which featured three stages of music and various food vendors, a success. In an effort to continue molding the event into a more peaceful celebration, the city is again teaming with Frank Productions and charging admission to Freakfest 2008.

"In the last three years, we've transformed Halloween on State Street into a music festival with costumes. My hope is that we can continue to transform this event from what had been a black eye for the city to something we can be truly proud of," Cieslewicz said in a news release.

In 2008, the city hoped to continue its success in curbing trouble at the event by again teaming with Frank Productions. Nationally established acts like Donavon Frankenreiter and college-rock favorite O.A.R. topped the bill, and police described the event as calm but the biggest Freakfest ever.

Madison Police Department spokesman Joel DeSpain said that 38,300 tickets were sold for Freakfest 2008.

Freakfest 2009 will again take place on State Street and is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 31. As in 2008, revelers will have to purchase a ticket to be admitted to the event.

This year, Channel 3000 is inviting people to tweet about their Freakfest experience.

People can also share their Halloween and Freakfest photos in a new way -- find out how here.

Hours

The event will be held from 7 p.m. on Oct. 31, to 1:30 a.m. on Nov. 1.

Tickets

Tickets can be purchased in advance for $7 each. Organizers said that those seeking to buy tickets will be allowed to purchase up to four tickets. People can purchase tickets on the day of the event for $10 each.

Tickets are currently on sale at the Coliseum box office or at several businesses in the State Street area.

Participating businesses are designated with special multicolored posters with the Freakfest logo and the words "Freakfest Tickets Available Here."

The following businesses are selling advance tickets for the event:

Mallatt Pharmacy & Costume, 3506 Monroe St.
University Book Store, 711 State St.
Knuckleheads, 550 State St.
Lands' End, 411 State St.
B-Side Records, 436 State St.
Strictly Discs, 1900 Monroe St.
Goodwill, 651 State St.
Chin's Asia Fresh, 422 State St.
Clary’s Popcorn, State Street
Paciugo, State Street
Dobra Tea, State Street
Terry's Car Care Bank Mutual, State Street
Kaplan Test Prep and Admissions, State Street

Patrons can look for posters in business windows featuring the Freakfest logo that say "Freakfest Tickets On Sale Here" to buy tickets in advance.

Music

Three main entertainment areas will be part of the event, with the band Third Eye Blind headlining Freakfest 2009.

In addition to two live music stages, this year's event will also feature a DJ stage (Onion Stage at Frances Street) and a Freakfest Freakshow Costume Contest.

The finals for the costume contest will be happening at the Onion Stage. Organizers said the contest is open to anyone attending the event. Patrons can find the costumed Freaks on the lifts along State Street or check in at the Frances Street Onion Stage for information on how to enter. The finals will be co-hosted by Emmy Fink of Madison's CW and Z104 radio personalities. Once the finalists are decided, the crowd does its part to crown the "Freak of the Year." Prizes to be awarded include: a trip to New Zealand from STA Travel, an LG 42-inch plasma TV from American as well as gift certificates from Madison BID, Ragstock, Underground Printing, cash prizes and more.

Here is the lineup for the entertainment areas:

Amp State (State Street and Mifflin Street)

Third Eye Blind -- The band is touring colleges across the country on the heels of their latest top selling release "Ursa Major," their first studio collection in five years. Led by lead singer Stephan Jenkins, the band continues to enjoy a loyal and growing fan base. Brad Hargreaves, drummer, and Tony Fredanelli round out this trio. Their set will be chock full of hits and new material sure to round out a great night of bewitching and beguiling fright and freaking.

Cage The Elephant -- Music critics who have witnessed the eye-popping spectacle that is a Cage the Elephant live performance have likened the band's singer to many things, among them "a demented Bible Belt preacher," "a Tasmanian devil whooping and jumping up and down like a frenzied gibbon." And that's just frontman Matt Shultz. The verdict? "Exhilarating, 100 mph stuff," raved British indie music bible NME about one of the group's UK gigs last fall. Their raucous live show -- which made this red-hot Kentucky-bred band the talk of this year's South-by-Southwest music festival, and led USA Today to single them out as a band not to miss at 2009's Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival -- is the perfect showcase for their buzzed-about self-titled debut album.

Push Play -- Fusing together rock, pop, and electronica genres, the guys from Push Play are working hard to develop a career based on the fans and developing as artists. Their single "Midnight Romeo" is climbing the charts and being spun on Madison's own Z104. Long Island born and raised, this quartet will set the tone for a fun night on Halloween.

Hot Chelle Rae -- The offspring of Nashville songwriters and a Grammy-award-winning guitar player came together in 2005 to form this band that mixes a polished pop sound with guitar heavy dance rock. Their debut release, out this year and titled "Lovesick Electric," was produced with help from Butch Walker and Eric Valentine.

Priscilla Renea -- A true modern day American success story, Priscilla Renea was discovered on YouTube. She would upload singing clips in her Vero Beach Florida bedroom to legendary capitol records artists. Her debut recording is out this month and features top notch producers who have worked with the likes of Britney Spears and Mary J. Blige.

WISC-TV/TVW/Channel3000.com (Gilman Street Stage)

Locksley -- The band that was started in Madison in 2003 returns for an electrifying performance at this year's Freakfest. Now residing in Brooklyn, this band is sure to receive a warm welcome from the hometown crowd as they headline the WISC-TV/TVW/Channel3000.com Stage this year.

The Nod -- Melding a variety of sounds, the bands songs and rifts have been described at different times as new wave-esque and surf meets punk. Bringing high energy and groovy sounds, The Nod is sure to be a highlight.

Fever Marlene -- This Milwaukee-based duo is a favorite of Madison audiences. They are currently promoting their latest release, "White China."

Green Means Go -- A UW student and a Milwaukee resident make up part of this ensemble of rock, pop and punk lovers. In the style of other such up and coming bands like Cobra Starship and The Academy Is, this local band will have the freaks dancing up a storm.

Sweet Grass -- Madison based bluegrass quintet known for fiery sets that have bluegrass and jam band aficionados shouting their praises.

Onion DJ Stage (At Frances Street)

DJ Will Calder -- A favorite during Milwaukee Pridefest with residencies at La Cage and other hot dance clubs in the area, now in New York, DJ Will Calder also founded Web-based ipartyradio.com.

Freakfest Freakshow Costume Contest Finals -- The Midwest's largest costume contest is open to anyone attending the event. Patrons can find the costumed Freaks on the lifts along State Street or check in at the Frances Street Stage for information on how to enter. The finals will be co-hosted by Emmy Fink of Madison's CW and Z104 radio personalities. Once the finalists are decided, the crowd does its part to crown the Freak of the Year with massive prizes to be awarded.

Food

Food vendors will be selling food/beverages in the 800 block of State Street, near the UW's Library Mall, on the day of the event.

Parking

According city officials, parking will be restricted in certain areas around State Street.

Portion of East Mifflin Street, North Carroll Street, Wisconsin Avenue, North Henry Street, West Gorham Street, West Johnson Street, West Gillman Street, North Lake Street and North Broom Street will be declared no parking zones.

For more information about no parking zones, visit the city's Alternate Routes/No Parking Areas Map (PDF Format).

There are six public parking ramps in the immediate State Street area. They are:

State Street Capitol Ramp
Address: 214 N. Carroll St.
Located between Dayton and Johnson and Carroll and State
State Street Campus Ramp
Address: 430 N. Frances St. and 415 N. Lake St.
Located between University and State and Lake and Frances
Overture Center Ramp
Address: 318 W. Mifflin St.
Located between Dayton and Mifflin and Henry and Broom
Brayton Lot
Address: 1 South Butler St.
Located between East Washington and Main
Government East
Address: 215 S. Pinckney St.
Located between Doty and Wilson
Capitol Square North
Address: 218 East Mifflin St.
Located between Webster and Butler

City officials said that nearby Buckeye Lot will be closed. It is located at:

Buckeye Lot
Address: 214 W. Gorham St.
Located between Gilman and Gorham and Carroll and State.

For more information about parking, visit the city's Parking Information.

Taxis

Three taxis stands will available around the State Street area, according to city officials.

Transportation Information

Police recommend following Highway 12 (Beltline) to John Nolen Drive, exit 263., and then take the exit for Broom Street, which leads to State Street.

Authorities recommend attendees use taxis and public transportation as parking will be very limited. Officials said to expect schedule and stop changes due to closing of State Street.

Madison Metro officials announced several bus routes will detour around the downtown area starting for the event. Get bus detour information here.

For the latest information, please visit Madison Metro.

Bike Information

Madison police will remove all bikes left on State Street bike racks before the event. They will also remove all bike racks in the 500 and 600 blocks of State Street.

Police Safety Recommendations

No weapons including fake weapons or ones as part of your costume. Dangerous or inappropriate items, as determined by the police, will be confiscated.
Those consuming alcohol in the establishments must be age 21 and have photo identification. Out-of-state residents will need two forms of identification.
No alcohol is allowed on public property including streets, sidewalks, alleyways or in vehicles.

Glass Free Zone

A "glass free zone" will be in effect in the State Street area from 9:30 p.m. on Oct. 30 to 6 a.m. on Oct. 31, and from 9:30 p.m. on Oct. 31 to 6 a.m. on Nov. 1.

For a map of the glass free zone area, click here (PDF Format).