Freakfest 2017
All,
As many of you already know, Freakfest 2017 is taking place this Saturday, October 28th.
Freakfest is an extraordinary event that typically sees tens of thousands of revelers descending into the State St event area and involves multiple music stages, fencing off the entirety of State St, and the closing of streets and rerouting traffic (including changes to Madison Metro routes).
There will be hundreds of law enforcement personnel from Madison PD, Dane County Sheriff, UWPD, and other agencies working the event, along with SET (Special Events Team) personnel. In addition to sworn law enforcement, approximately 200 private security personnel are also assigned to the event. The Madison Fire Department, Madison Streets Department, Parking Enforcement, and others are also key partners working in partnership towards a safe and uneventful evening.
Safety is our number one priority, and MPD is very aware and conscious of recent tragic and significant events in the U.S. and abroad. Plans for this event (and others) include numerous contingencies and strategies; continuous improvement is one of our core values and we apply it to event planning--especially major events such as Freakfest.
Here are some important things to remember if you plan on being in or near the Freakfest event:
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The event hours are from 7pm to approximately 1:30am
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Streets in the event zone will begin closing at approximately 5pm on Saturday and should re-open at approximately 3:00am.Some streets/areas may see restrictions in place earlier/later
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This is a ticketed and gated event; you need to have a ticket to get into the event zone:
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Tickets are available in person at
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Lake and State
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Gilman and University
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Johnson and State
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Gates are located at:
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Lake and State
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Gilman and State
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Broom and State
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Johnson and State
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Henry and State
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Frances and State
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There is a glass ban in effect after 9pm in the event zone
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Metro routes will be impacted/rerouted during the event; for information check:
http://www.cityofmadison.com/metro/detours/
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For information on street closures go to:
https://www.cityofmadison.com/news/street-closures-freakfest-0
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WEAPONS ARE NOT ALLOWED INTO THE EVENT
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If you are going, DO NOT bring the following:
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Open containers of alcohol
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Glass containers
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Weapons
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Facsimile weapons
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Implements or tools that could be used as improvised weapons
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MPD's goal for this event is your safety. For the event to be safe we need those attending to be good guests:
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Do not bring prohibited items into the event
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ALL City ordinances and State laws apply within the event zone
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MPD will have a 'zero-tolerance' for alcohol related violations
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Law enforcement and security are there for your safety and protection; please cooperate and comply with their requests
Thank you and be safe!
Jason Freedman
Central District Captain
Madison Police Department