After receiving city approval last week to sponsor an all-day Halloween celebration Nov. 1, Killer Party 2003, the theme for the event, continues development under the direction of a group committed to avoiding a repeat of last year’s Halloween riots.
Madtown Events came together earlier this year to work with police and other city agencies to plan an alternative to “wandering around and being stupid,” according to Madtown Events member and University of Wisconsin law student Will Komassa.
Last Halloween, understaffed police could hardly manage the 60,000 to 65,000 revelers who gathered on State Street Saturday, Nov. 2. The alcohol-fueled mob broke store windows; looted stores; threw glass bottles, bricks and rocks at officers; and started fires in the street.
Komassa, along with Dan Hudson, who lives on Mifflin Street and worked with police to encourage more interaction between the department and students for the Mifflin Street Block Party, spent more than 100 hours convincing police to allow them to plan and sponsor structured, non-alcoholic events throughout Halloween Saturday.
“They were not thinking outside the box, they thought more police would solve the problems,” Hudson said.
Originally, Madtown Events received approval to sponsor events during daylight hours, but last week received approval to host music until 12 a.m. or later Saturday night.
“They realized 7 p.m. was not practical; either the music should end before or after bar time, and it would be more beneficial to end at 1 a.m.,” Hudson said.
Hudson said the group is working with local media outlets to promote the day’s events, which will include retail sales, trick-or-treating and a costume parade.
“We want to get people out earlier in the day and make the most of Halloween,” Hudson said.
Two stages, one on Library Mall and one at the opposite end of State Street, will host up to 10 local bands, and some have already been booked. No Boundries, Room Service, Lesser Offense, two classic rock cover bands, Dorthy Heralds and Kingfinger, a rock and hip-hop fusion band would all play, Hudson said.
Komassa said Madtown Events is currently working to secure street use permits, permits to sell merchandise and food on State Street, and approval to reroute buses running down the street.
The non-profit group, which can be found at www.madisonhalloween.com, is still looking for sponsors to cover the costs of the event and has already seen support from local businesses and student organizations.
Madison Police Department Central District Capt. Luis Yudice said that Hudson initially presented his ideas at various city meetings. They are now working with the city’s feedback on planning suggestions and to meet police requirements regarding security, insurance and staffing.
Yudice said while there is no one solution to prevent last year’s riots, making the event last the entire day instead of focusing on the night hours and the diverse planning group involved are steps in the right direction.
Yudice also said he was surprised no other students came forward to help plan for the success of this year’s Halloween.
“The only reason we are working with them is because they are the ones that came forward,” Yudice said.
