Tragic news, folks. Freakfest, Madison’s iconic downtown Halloween celebration, will be cancelled for the second year in a row due to COVID-19.
“As I’ve said before, alcohol and COVID don’t mix well,” Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway said in a statement. “Cases of the Delta variant are still on the rise in our state and our county. As we work to keep residents in our community safe and healthy, it is common sense that there will be no city-sponsored Freakfest this year.”
Unlike last year’s Halloween weekend, there is no emergency order currently prohibiting gatherings indoors of more than 10 people. Public Health Madison & Dane County is simply recommending that people follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines at any and all events. Partygoers are encouraged to get vaccinated, wear a mask indoors, avoid crowded spaces and maintain physical distance.
“As we have seen, the delta variant is quick and efficient in spreading COVID-19. The most important thing you can do is to get vaccinated and to encourage the people around you to get vaccinated,” said Director of PHMDC Janel Heinrich.
Dane County’s 7-day case average as of Sept. 15 is 106, up from 14 two months ago. The emergency mask mandate is still in effect in Madison and Dane County.
