Last weekend, crowds of college students converged on Madison for two days of celebration filled with fun costumes, parties and drinking. In what’s becoming a tradition, much to the city’s chagrin, about 100,000 people participated in this year’s Halloween celebration.

This year, for the fourth year in a row, police ended the party early Sunday morning. The officers protected themselves with riot gear and doused the remaining revelers with pepper spray.

Madison’s mayor, Dave Cieslewicz, has estimated this year’s celebration, during which 447 people were arrested, will cost the city about $350,000. According to an article in the Wisconsin State Journal, the mayor is asking if “the huge public drunk” is necessary and is again considering canceling the event.

While it’s true that some people celebrating Halloween in Madison do cause damage and chaos, the vast majority of them are pumping money into the city’s economy. Madison would be wise to take advantage of the money Halloween guests are willing to provide and welcome them to the city.

If students are set on going somewhere, there is little a city can do to stop them.

Rather, Madison should learn from other cities that host major celebrations, such as Mardi Gras in New Orleans. The event easily could take on a more positive tone with more city-sponsored activities.

If Madison is determined to try to keep students out of the city, another option would be to encourage bars or businesses in other college towns to hold Halloween weekend specials.

In addition, potential damage done by Halloween party goers could be reduced by setting up an educational campaign instead of disseminating hostile messages telling students to stay away. The city would get further with students by telling them to be safe and respect other people’s property. Efforts to discourage the celebration only will encourage rebellion.