The music
According to the \experts,"" the defining factor that can either make or break a Mifflin house is its music.
UW-Madison sophomore Heidi Cavill will be celebrating Mifflin for the seventh consecutive year this April 30th.
""Parties with no music suck,"" Cavill said. ""Concerts in the back are good.""
Dennisha Young, retail manager of Fun Services, a party planning company, said karaoke could be a fun option because it gets people involved.
""We rent karaoke machines out for private parties,"" she said.
UW-Madison senior and Mifflin resident Kara Beck said that when they are compiling their music for the party, variety is key.
""We play pretty much like a little of everything,"" she said. ""Although my personal favorite is rap music.""
The number of Mifflin houses with bands is almost equal to the number of houses that choose to self-DJ.
When selecting a Mifflin house, it is important to weigh the energy of a live concert against the drunken pleasure 50-Cent and his G-Unit comrades provide.
The alcohol
When it comes to beer, it seems the only important factor is to have a lot of it.
Cavill said it would make no difference to her if a house had Icehouse or Spotted Cow flowing from its kegs.
""Beer is beer,"" she said. ""As long as the cups are the same price, it doesn't matter.""
Beck said that in planning past parties, she and her roommates typically ordered up to 10 kegs for the block party.
""We went to University Liquor and got the best deal,"" she said. ""We had Miller Light sponsor so we got some banners, t-shirts, tubs and Mardi Gras beads.""
Beck added that flyers are usually distributed on Mifflin Street from beer companies interested in sponsorship.
The key to selecting beer for a great Mifflin Party is to think big; Beck said last year her 10 kegs were gone by 5 p.m.
The Entertainment
Games are the unifying force that can create best friends out of complete strangers.
Beck said if the party is more low key, games like ""flip cup"" and ""speed quarters"" can be a fun bonding experience.
""Beer pong is, of course, the party favorite,"" Cavill said. ""Do beer bongs count as a game?""
After careful deliberation, Mifflin experts ruled that beer bongs could be turned into a game if a racing factor is involved.
While games create a friendly atmosphere, residents are cautioned to make sure the beer pong or flip cup tournament does not overtake the party and fend off party guests who may not be participating.
Uniqueness
The predicament many partygoers will find themselves in is selecting one house out of the slew of ubiquitous parties on the street.
The key, Young said, is finding a unique element.
""It's going to stand out because not everybody's having it,"" she said. ""If you put something like human bowling, it's going to be unique.""
Beck said an event last year kept her highly entertained.
""There were people out in the street dressed in cardboard jousting,"" she said. ""It was great.""
Cavill said the most fun she ever had at Mifflin was a party where the residents threw her in the shower.
""I was all wet at like 10 a.m.,"" she said. ""It was random and crazy.""
Mifflin residents who strive to be the unique house that pulls in the freshman dorm-storm with its unique character are advised to hire a quasi-celebrity, such as California gubernatorial candidate Gary Coleman, to operate their beer bong, throw people in their shower for some added water-based fun or cook free food for all their guests.
""If there's food then it's heaven, but nobody ever has food,"" Cavill said.
It is an honor to hold a Mifflin party
A good Mifflin party is mostly dependent on the type of party the residents' choose to host.
However, as honored guests on Mifflin Street, there are a few courtesy tips to keep in mind to make sure all in attendance have the great party they deserve.
Beck said stealing things and getting sick without cleaning it up are not appropriate Mifflin etiquette.
""Peeing off porches is not cool,"" she said.
UW-Madison students are counting on Mifflin residents to throw the party of the semester, but partygoers must remember to do their part and respect the residents; at least by peeing on a toilet.
