Today at 5 p.m., University Boulevard will be the site of the Associated Students of the University of Arizona’s UAVotes 2008 Block Party. As part of UAVotes 2008, the party will center around voter registration. But along with speeches from state candidates and representatives from national campaigns, ASUA is bringing the Crocs Next Step Campus Tour as well, featuring performances from Cartel, Shop Boyz and MC Lars.

Republican congressional candidate Tim Bee and incumbent Democratic candidate Gabrielle Giffords, along with speakers from the Obama and McCain campaigns, will be present.

“”It’s going to be an absolute blast like you’ve never seen on University Boulevard before (with) free entertainment,”” said ASUA president Tommy Bruce.

Bruce said the ASUA program, UAVotes 2008 is “”a three-pronged campaign: voter registration, education and mobilization.””

“”(The block party) kicks off our blitz week (for student voter registration). Our campus goal is 5,000 voter registrations,”” he said.

The deadline for voter registration in Arizona is Oct. 6. “”So we’re trying to get as much information and excitement around the elections as we can, because we don’t want anyone to miss the opportunity to register and have their voice heard in this election,”” Bruce said.

While registration is the focus, it won’t be the only event at the block party.

Crocs is bringing interactive events with them and Microsoft’s Xbox will have a completely interactive area, Bruce said. The lineup of Xbox games will be a surprise, but “”Rock Band”” will be there.

Major League Baseball will be setting up batting cages among other things.

“”I’ve been involved with UA Votes initiatives in the past and I think one of the most exciting things about tomorrow’s events is the scale is so much bigger than anything we’ve ever done before. So we’re expecting the student turnout to be great,”” said Jessica Anderson, ASUA executive vice president.

“”There will also be a whole new look to University Boulevard,”” Bruce said. “”It will be a black-and-neon themed event to just provide more fun to the whole event and not touching blue or red colors.””

“”The entire (ASUA) office will be there, because it is such a big event where we do need virtually every single ASUA volunteer and every UA Votes 2008 volunteer to be out there to work on getting people registered and make sure the event is running smoothly, because it’s not just a concert,”” Anderson said.

She said that ASUA will be there to help – just look for the black shirts and radios.