With ticket sales for this week’s Freakfest Halloween celebration beginning this morning, the event's organizers continue to make preparations.

At this year’s Freakfest celebration — a block party on Oct. 27 on State Street with music, food, and students in Halloween costumes — Madison residents can expect to see bands such as Lifehouse, The Mighty Short Bus, and Ky-Mani Marley.

In addition to the music, Freakfest attendees can look forward to the newly-reinstated costume contest and Gomeroke — an open mic session with The Gomers.

Frank Productions will manage the event this year, and there will be a bigger focus on entertainment. Although there has been some opposition to the privatization of Freakfest, Dave Maynard of Frank Productions believes it will contribute to a more positive environment.

According to Maynard, corporate sponsors will also help underwrite some of the costs of the event, allowing the Halloween tradition to continue. Frank Productions has been in the Madison area for more than 40 years, and the corporate sponsors also have strong local ties.

"We know the community, and we, just like everyone else, want this event to succeed," Maynard said. "We try to make sure we capture the flavor of what people want. We want to keep it local."

With past celebrations under his watch ending with police intervention, Mayor Dave Cieslewicz is in strong support of Frank Productions’ partnership in the event.

"State Street is the epicenter of Halloween — the place to be and be seen,” said George Twigg, communications director for the mayor. "With bringing in the entertainment as an additional attraction, the idea is to make it an enjoyable, but also a safe party for everyone to come down to."

Joel DeSpain, public information officer for the Madison Police Department, said Frank Productions will be at the forefront of operations for the event this year.

"We are transitioning this event to a community event. As usual we'll have a full contingency of police officers, as well as backup plans," DeSpain said. "We have the hopes and expectations that it will end peacefully, and that it will not have to be such a high-profile event."

DeSpain added Frank Productions will help the MPD manage the large masses of people. According to Twigg, the successful management of crowds last year was a factor in gaining additional partnerships this year.

"Our feeling was always that if we could make the first year a success, and sponsors could see that Halloween didn't have to involve tear gas and other such problems, they would step forward and want to get involved," Twigg said.

Maynard said tickets bought in advance will cost $5 until Oct. 26. Tickets can be bought through Ticketmaster, on Frank Productions’ website or at several businesses in the State Street area that have displayed the multi-colored Freakfest posters in their storefront windows.

Tickets will also be available for purchase the day of the event beginning at noon for $7 at booths along State Street.