They were celebrating spring in downtown Madison Saturday at the 43rd annual Mifflin Street Block Party. New rules allowed for open container and beer drinking in the street. But the day didn’t end well for a number of people. As of Saturday 9 p.m. 160 people were arrested and two people were stabbed.
The bedlam caused serious concern for the city’s mayor, who attended the event. “This simple problem is too much alcohol,” said Mayor Paul Soglin.
He said the mayhem was worse this year than in previous years. Soglin told WIBA on Sunday, he wants to restrict the amount of alcohol at the annual event by not allowing licensing for beer vendors.
Later the mayor’s statements to the State Journal suggest he’s in favor of completely getting rid of the decades-old block party all together.
AUDIO: Montage of partiers (:30)
Audio provided by WIBA