Debatefest, a celebration of DU’s role as host of the first Presidential Debate of 2012, will take place tomorrow from 3-9 p.m. on campus with up to 5,000 expected attendees. The theme of the event will be “A Great Colorado Afternoon.”

“The event was created because we recognize not everyone can fit into the debate hall,” said Parker Calbert, Undergraduate Student Government (USG) vice president and presidential debate student debate programming co-chair.“Yet this is a monumental experience for DU and one which should be shared throughout the community.”

Registration for Debatefest was open to all DU students, faculty and alumni, and became available on Friday, Aug. 31. It took just over two weeks for the event to reach its capacity of 5,000 people.

Organizers of Debatefest warn that even registered attendees will not be able to enter or re-enter the event after the Denver Police Department (DPD) declares that it has reached capacity.

“The best advice is to get there early and plan to be one of the masses,” said Calbert. “It filled very early, we had a lot of response and a lot of excitement.”

Activities throughout campus will include an interactive area near the Daniels College of Business with yard games such as a bean bag toss, military aircraft simulations and an “Issues Alley” where DU student organizations and other local companies will be showcasing their groups and advocating different issues surrounding the election.

Additionally, an “Oval Eatery” around the circle drive near the admissions building will feature twelve food trucks run by DU alums or affiliates with food to purchase.

Other vendors will include Ben and Jerry’s and Mustard’s Last Stand, which, in addition to selling food, will be hosting a relay-style hot dog eating contest in which the winners can choose a local charity to receive a food donation.

The entertainment lineup includes live music from Zach Heckendorf, Nathaniel Rateliff and The Lumineers.

After speaker presentations from Chancellor Coombe and local government officials the event will end with a live, outdoor telecast of the debate on a more than one story tall, high-tech viewing screen on Driscoll Green.

DU students, faculty and staff who have registered need their Pioneer ID cards to be admitted to the event, and anyone who registered and does not have a Pioneer ID must provide a government-issued form of ID.

No on-campus parking will be available to attendees of Debatefest, so alternative forms of transportation are recommended.

Security at the event will be provided by the Department of Campus Safety, DPD and a security company called G4S.