More than 6,000 people showed up Friday night at the University Program Board's Late Nite carnival, according to an initial count.
Andrew Greider, who coordinated and organized volunteers for the event, said the attendance doubled the 3,000 that were expected.
He said no one he has spoken with can remember a larger campus event.
"I haven't been involved with UPB for long, but I know that's a record for UPB," Greider said.
The carnival was set up in the parking lot behind the Student Center with typical carnival rides, snacks and games.
Sara Shelton, who has been involved with UPB for two years, said the attendance at the carnival equaled that of about 10 usual Late Nite events.
"The line was wrapped from the entrance to the parking lot to the Student Center front steps for an hour and a half," Shelton said.
Fifteen campus organizations were involved in putting on the event, and Greider said nearly 300 volunteers showed up to help with operating games.
Greider said Ball State's grounds crews played an integral role in setting up for the carnival, and the University Police Department and mounted Muncie police patrolled the area.
"This could never have happened without the great support of the people who helped us out," Greider said.
University Police Chief Gene Burton said two people were arrested for minor consumption, but he said students in attendance were well behaved for the most part.
"(Behavior) was not an issue at all," Burton said, "especially for the number of people involved. The officers who worked the event said it went exceptionally well."
Shelton said the goal of the Late Nite program is to deter students from drinking alcohol and to provide them with opportunities to have fun in other ways.
Greider said the high turnout shows that students are interested in more than drinking alcohol, and he said the small number of behavior problems speaks well for students.
"That says a lot about the character of Ball State students," Greider said. "If we are given an alternative, then we really step up to the plate."
The carnival rides were provided by Mid America Shows out of Parker City, and the games were provided by Pic-A-Chick Farms.
One of the games was the traditional carnival dunk tank. One of the dunk tank volunteers was SGA president Ben Tietz. Tietz said it was cold but fun in the dunk tank.
"I think everybody had a lot of fun," Tietz said. "I was extremely impressed with the number of people who were there."
Shelton said students who attended the carnival seemed to enjoy it and are still talking to her about it.
"I stood at the registration area for a little while when people were leaving, and so many people thanked me for having it," Shelton said.
This was the first time Late Nite has brought the carnival to Ball State, but Greider and Shelton said talks are already underway to bring it back next year.
"The Late Nite program has a desire to put it on again in the future for Ball State Students," Greider said. "We're going to make it bigger and better."
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