By mid-afternoon Saturday, State Street was already hopping, crowded with a happy mix of Badger football fans celebrating the win over Purdue and early Halloween revelers trying out their costumes.

It made for some interesting people-watching.

The window tables at Hawk's bar were filled mostly with red-clad Badger backers. But in their midst sat a black-robed witch with a tall pointed hat tucking into a plate of french fries. Inside, at the bar, Stewie, the evil baby from the Family Guy television show, sat with his very large and football-shaped head drinking alongside Badger fans.

From numerous side streets, other strange creatures and individuals drifted toward State. A giant chicken. A kangaroo. A guy in pajamas and a bath robe. Dog the Bounty Hunter, complete with the big hair. Several people shoving a coffin on wheels.

Business owners seemed thrilled with the crowd. And few exhibited the fear for their plate-glass windows that once gripped the State Street business community in the years before the big party became the well-policed and more tame Freakfest.

Isaac Lenz, manager at Underground Printing, said the more organized party is bringing business to State Street without the worry for store owners. He said his shop, which sells Badger clothing, has been busy since Thursday.

"I would say for three days I've had steady traffic," said Lenz. "I'm going to stay open tonight until 8 or 9 p.m."

Even if something happens to his store, Lenz said there are so many police on hand he doesn't worry about his business being protected. "I don't have to worry about being here," he added.

Anna Clayton, a worker at Sacred Feather on State Street, said business Saturday had probably surpassed Maxwell Street Days and Christmas in sales.

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