MADISON, Wis. — A long and sometimes infamous tradition in Madison, the annual Halloween celebrations along State Street date back to the 1970s.
In the last few years, the city of Madison has transformed the large outdoor party that has sometimes been marred by violence and property damage into “Freakfest,” a city-sanctioned event that requires admission and features live music.
The city’s involvement with the annual Halloween celebration was prompted by riots on State Street in 2002, 2003, 2004 and the use of pepper spray to disperse of unruly crowds in 2005.