Freakfest producer Frank Productions announced new information Friday about this year’s Freakfest including band lineup and costume contest information.
Headlining at the Mountain Dew Amp stage on the Capitol Square will be Third Eye Blind, along with Cage the Elephant and Push Play. Smaller stages will feature Locksley, local band The Nod, New York’s DJ Will Calder and more acts to be announced.
One of the major issues Frank Productions is preparing for is crowd control. Last year’s event drew almost 40,000 people, and with this year’s event taking place on Halloween night with a home football game that morning, even more attendees are expected, Fred Frank, owner of Frank Productions said.
“One thing that we’re going to really work on this year is a little bit more control of the number of bodies,” Frank said.
Other expected changes from last year include switching the locations of the DJ stage area and the Mountain Dew sampling tent, and also moving some of the entrances and exits. Both starting time and ticket prices are expected to be the same as last year.
In addition to the music Frank Productions will be planning a costume contest. Last year’s contest was described by Frank as “extremely successful compared to the year prior,” and he expects this year’s turnout to increase again. Last year’s prizes included a 40″ plasma television, a spring break trip, and a year of free subs from Milios.
Frank said pre-registration for the costume contest is not required, and there will be representatives walking around State Street inviting people to participate. The only restrictions on costumes are the same as the restrictions for getting into the gated area – no swords, guns or anything else that could injure another person.
“This is UW Madison,” Frank said, “(it) gets kinda crazy.”
With preliminary information being announced, those in charge of planning the event are looking to UW students for input in further planning.
Ald. Bryon Eagon, District 8 said one of the main challenges of student assistance in planning is that passionate students can only be involved for so long before they graduate. Ultimately, officials hope to form a committee of students and city agencies that is involved in the planning of Freakfest, the Mifflin Street block party and other events, he added.
Officials are especially hoping students will be involved with the discussion about which campus area bands will play on the smaller stages. Students with ideas about bands or other ways to improve this year’s event are encouraged to contact Frank Productions through phone or email.
“It’s always important to have as much student input as possible because students are the main participants in these kind of events,” Eagon said.
Eagon is optimistic about the participation he has seen so far this year, and about the positive effect that increased involvement will have.
“Increased student participation can provide new insight and ideas to the overall event, but also give students ownership and inclusion,” Eagon said.