Halloween on State Street will have a different look this year. In hopes to quell acts of rioting and vandalism on State Street, a group of community members called Madtown Productions plans to host live bands, costume contests and store promotions for this year's events.
Business owners on State Street said they hope that music will help prevent misbehavior and are counting on entertainment to keep their businesses safe.
Dan Waissman, owner of Poster Master, 506 State St., said State Street business owners always fear Halloween weekend.
\We merchants always pray for a heavy rain on Halloween,"" he said.
The bands will begin performing around five or six in the evening, and will continue playing until one in the morning, said Dan Hudson, a UW-Madison senior and one of the event organizers.
Organizers have not applied for a permit yet, but City Council President Mike Verveer, District 4, said the city's Street Use Staff team discussed the event Wednesday and raised no objections. Hudson said they will formally apply for the permit Oct. 1.
Hudson said the line-up will include Lesser Offense, Room Service, Kingfinger, The Dorothy Heralds and possibly No Boundaries. They will set up a stage somewhere near the podium on Library Mall. There will be no admission charge, as local sponsors are picking up the tab.
In addition to the live bands, DJs will spin, and promotions, contests and sales during the day will emphasize all kinds of entertainment available on State Street.
Madison Police Lt. Mary Schauf said there should be plenty of police on hand, as well as privately contracted security personnel.
""We will staff to the best of our ability to make sure it is a safe event,"" Schauf said.
Hudson said organizers have waited this long to obtain a permit because they wanted to have every detail of the event planned out prior to applying to avoid any problems.
He said organizers are positive about the planned festivities and emphasize that any time 30,000 or more people come to town, it should be seen as a good thing. He said many people only come to State Street to drink, and this is seen by some as a negative image.
""People may only see State Street when they are drunk at midnight, we want them to see the other aspect of the city,"" Hudson said.
