Bigger acts, scary movies and higher ticket prices — Madison's Freakfest 2008 Halloween party is ready to rumble on Nov. 1.

Dave Maynard, vice-president and talent buyer at Frank Productions, which is organizing the event for the second straight year, said the group learned from last year's event.

This year organizers moved some stages for better access, added a string of classic movies and went up a notch for entertainment, hiring headliner O.A.R. — which stands for Of A Revolution — to perform on the stage at the top of State Street at the Capitol Square.

Joining O.A.R. on the main stage will be Donovan Frankenreiter, The Dollyrots, Thriving Ivory, and The Hard Lessons.

A second stage will feature local acts, including Blueheels, The Box Social, Awesome Car Funmaker, Natty Nation, and Mighty Short Bus.

The annual State Street Halloween party was once a black eye for the city, with fires, property damage and police tear gas. Since the city fenced off the State Street area and charged admission, things have been relatively peaceful. Police and the producer will probably increase security slightly because of the star appeal of the main act, said mayoral spokeswoman Rachel Strauch-Nelson.

Organizers say they are stoked by the variety of acts and events offered. "We're all feeling really good about it," Maynard said.

Events taking place off the main stage include a DJ and dance floor; a Freakfest Costume Extravaganza, a contest tradition started at the 2007 edition of the party, with a spring break trip as the top prize; and The Freakfest Freakshow, a large inflatable screen at the Buckeye Lot on Gorham Street showing "walk-in" movies such as "Beetlejuice," "Psycho," and "The Rocky Horror Picture Show."

If you go

Cost: Tickets for this year's Freakfest are $7 in advance and $10 the day of the event, and are available at the Dane County Coliseum box office; Ticketmaster by phone at 608-255-4646; online at www.frankproductions.com; or at Madison businesses including Mallatt's Pharmacy, University Bookstore (Library Mall location), Knuckleheads, Lands' End, B-Side, Strictly Discs, Goodwill and Chin's Asia Fresh.

In and out: There will be 10 entrances and 13 exits. The biggest change is that there is an entrance on both Carroll Street and Mifflin Street near the Capitol stage, said mayoral spokeswoman Rachel Strauch-Nelson. Last year there was only an entrance on Carroll Street.

Parking: Park on the side of State Street that you'd like to exit on, the mayor's office advised. The ramps will be open.

When: Entertainment begins shortly after the gates open at 7 p.m. Entertainment ends at 1:30 a.m.