MADISON (WKOW) — Ghouls and goblins will flock to State Street in Madison this weekend for the region’s largest Halloween music festival.
Organizers are getting ready for the 14th annual Freakfest.
Madison police say they’re prepared.
Last year,a man was shot and killedin the State Street parking garage after Freakfest ended. Police say the crime was not related the festival, but they are increasing patrols in some areas.
“We’ve made adjustments on our end to make sure we proactively patrol different areas of downtown, particularly the campus ramps that are downtown, some of the alleys, and streets and dead end streets,” said Madison Police Captain Brian Chaney Austin.
Police say hundreds of officers will work the event. They will also utilize city cameras to get a “bird’s eye” view of the area.
“What we’ve done is tweak plans here and there to make sure that we listen to the intelligence, we listen and pay attention to things that we could improve on in years past, and we adapt,” Captain Chaney Austin said.
Freakfest will feature 16 regional and national acts on three stages for six hours of entertainment. Larger acts include Lil Yachty and Gin Blossoms.
Streets crossing State Street will begin closing at 5 p.m. for Freakfest. Lake Street, Johnson Street, and Dayton Street will all close at 5 p.m. Gorham Street will stay open until 6 p.m.
West Gilman Street will be closed between North Henry Street and State Street and West Mifflin Street will be closed Wisconsin Avenue starting at 2 p.m. for the construction of the two stages.
Gates to the festival open at 7 p.m. and music begins at 8 p.m. The festival ends at 1:30 a.m. and street closures are expected to last until 3 a.m.
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