MADISON, Wis.– After taking a year off due to the pandemic, a decades-old tradition continues in Downtown Madison.
The last Saturday in April is marked off on most UW-Madison student calendars.
“Mifflin is part of the UW-Madison experience,” Senior Nate Kruse said.
It’s a day dedicated to one famous event, the Mifflin Street Block Party.
“Hanging out with the boys, having a good time, drinking beers,” Senior Gavin Nelson said.
It’s a party historically known for chaos, lots of arrests and citations. However, 2020 was the exception and canceled by COVID-19.
“I feel like the last year we’ve been robbed of a lot of things,” Kruse said.
The party this year does look a little different. Not quite as many people as years past, and, for the most part, groups stayed to their own houses, rather than gathering in the street.
The day these @UWMadison students look forward to all year: Mifflin Block Party.
Full story tonight on #News3Now. pic.twitter.com/ZoeZgmuRSD
— Gabriella Bachara (@GabbyBachara) April 24, 2021
Mifflin residents said Madison Police went door-to-door earlier his week, reminding them of Public Health Madison and Dane County’s order, which doesn’t limit outdoor gatherings, but does require social distancing.
“They’re sort of being upfront and honest with us, and we’re being upfront and honest with them,” Senior Matt Leidig said.
Officers patrolled on foot during the party on Saturday.
“We’re in the middle still of a pandemic,” Officer Gracia Rodriguez said. “So, that our number one priority, safety.”
Their job was to make sure things didn’t get out of hand.
“Just having those conversations with people who are engaging here today, addressing social distancing,” Rodriguez said.
The seniors said the party is one of the last chances to be with friends before graduating and moving away.
“It’s a bittersweet moment for me,” Kruse said. “I’m just going to try and take it in.”
There have been no issues to report as of noon, according to Madison Police Department.
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