For Kelly Meuer, the owner of State Street Brats, Halloween in downtown Madison is a fun night because he enjoys seeing all the creative costumes. But for business, the party — now dubbed Freakfest — is no bonanza.
….All in all, he concludes, “economically it’s a good night, but it is not an exceptional night by any means.”
That’s largely the same conclusion reached by those studying the annual party, which had its first peaceful ending last year after four consecutive parties ended with disorder, police action and pepperspray.