MADISON, Wis. -- Despite on and off rain on Saturday, around 10,000 people still flocked to the popular Mifflin Street block party.

View Images From This Year's Block Party

Revelers filed the streets starting early Saturday morning, and many UW students and people from out of town have been partying throughout the day in spite of the weather.

The party is part of campus culture at UW-Madison.

Playboy cited Mifflin Street when it named the university the nation's top party school earlier this month.

Some at the party said they've been drinking since 8:00 a.m.

Police have been making arrests throughout the day and processing them near the street.

Police said they had busted 50 people by 2:30 in the afternoon, most for the usual alcohol violations.

Some partiers told WISC-TV that between the rain and increased law enforcement, the crowds are large but the party isn't as big as usual.

"I didn't think many people would come because of the rain, but there are quite a few people here," said Kelly Triggs, a UW Junior.

Jenna Newberry, a UW Senior added: "They're troopers, they're here; there are not as many people, but the true Wisconsinites are here and we're here to party."

Mayor Dave Cieslewicz said he expects a peaceful conclusion to the party.

"I hope that it comes to a safe and peaceful conclusion. I expect that's what will happen. That's what happened the last several years. This has not been an event like Halloween. Usually its done about 10:00 p.m."

Police are patrolling the area in four teams of six officers to target those throwing large house parties.

In past years, owners of houses busted by police faced hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars in fines.

Last year, 15 houses received hefty fines for offenses like dispensing alcohol without a license, procuring alcohol for minors, noise, underage drinking and disorderly conduct.

Residents getting the greatest number of tickets during the 2005 Mifflin block party lived at 512 W. Mifflin St.

The fines for that house alone totaled $8,200, WISC-TV reported.

The Mifflin block party started as an anti-war protest in 1969. Critics said today's event lacks that spirit and is too commercialized.

In response, residents of North Pinckney throwing an alternative block party Saturday to get to know their neighbors and exchange ideas.

"We want to make sure this is a space where people can share political ideas, because the Madison party scene stifles political discussion and we want to help change that," said organizer Chris Dols.

The North Pinckney Street block party does not have a street permit. The event will take place in the back yards of residents in the 200 block.