Frank Productions and Madison city officials announced details Monday for Madison's fourth-annual Freakfest celebration.
The city is prepared for a large crowd of 30,000 to 40,000 people.
According to Dave Maynard of Frank Productions, the collaborators have come up with a successful formula for Freakfest over the past three years and want to keep moving forward.
""The focus of the event is now entertainment, essentially a very large street party in our central district of State Street,"" said mayoral aide Joel Plant, who supervises the organization of Freakfest.
Third Eye Blind will headline the Z104 Amp Stage late Saturday night, with other acts along State Street occurring throughout the evening.
""We try and find something for everybody, that's our goal,"" Maynard said.
The costume contest will return to Freakfest this year with even bigger prizes, including a STA Travel trip to New Zealand.
Budweiser will be working with Union Cab to offer cab rides home. People can go to the Freakfest website ahead of time and print off vouchers for a cab ride home up to an hour after the event.
Plant said although Freakfest has become safer in recent years, all necessary measures are being taken, including police, fire department, paramedics and 110 private event staff.
Buses to transport detained citizens will be in place around the event area. A rest process center in the city council building will be ready if needed.
""We are preparing for an event like we've had in the past year, a safe, fun event,"" Plant said. ""We are prepared if things go wrong.""
Businesses on State Street have become familiar with the Freakfest routine and are confident in the event, according to Mary Carbine, executive director of Madison's Central Business and Improvement District.
Last year Freakfest's gross cost was around $185,000. The cost of the event has gone down in the past four years, and the city could break even in years to come, Plant said.
Some residents are concerned about parking access and street closures. All closures and changes in parking availability go into effect early Saturday evening and can be found on the Freakfest website.
Ticket prices remain the same as in 2008, $7 if purchased by Friday and $10 on Saturday.
""[Freakfest] has become a safe, fun, exciting, community event, another night that downtown [Madison] is a great destination for entertainment and fun,"" Carbine said.
