Throughout its history of more than 40 years, the Mifflin Street Block Party has been considered a Madison tradition by many, but now others are calling for a drastic change to the event’s stigma.
The block party has come a long way since its beginning in 1969 as a Vietnam War protest. Despite this year’s effort to curb the event’s effects, officials said it may be a hard tradition to kill.
“Even if the city continues to discourage gathering on Mifflin Street, I think in the foreseeable future this day will still be seen as a party day,” Ald. Mike Verveer, District 4, said. “This event has taken on a life of its own.”
Verveer said he believes this year will see a great improvement over last year in terms of the violence that occurred, but he is not optimistic the party will “die a natural death” after Saturday.
University of Wisconsin Dean of Students Lori Berquam said she understands the tradition of the block party but wants to see students embrace the tradition in a way that does not involve heavy drinking. She said she would enjoy seeing a return to an event of political discourse and protest.
“In order to [have a different Mifflin], I think our students have to do that,” Berquam said. “To really engage in the conversation means you have to put all sorts of things on the table. When that could happen, there could be a different Mifflin. Until then, I don’t know.”
