The special events office was quiet yesterday, except for an occasional telephone call, and the only movement in White Building's main gym came from students in a badminton class swatting at shuttlecocks.

It's hard to tell that the country's largest student-run philanthropy will take place here today.

Chip Baird, 1994 Interfraternity Council/Panhellenic Dance Marathon overall chairman, said the special events office was quiet because committee members are running around town taking care of last-minute details.

Dave Franz, physical plant chairman, said all of the supplies and equipment were moved to White Building last night, including floor mats, security fencing, banners, posters and food for the dancers.

But at 3 p.m. today, White Building will start to look "Thon-ish." Franz said within three hours the mats will be laid down, the fencing put up, the stage built and the sound system ready for the disc jockey.

"Everyone knows what they're there for and we just get it done by 7 p.m," Franz said.

Morale committee member Emma Eisenman (junior-nutrition) plans to bring her dancers "silly toys that 20-year-olds normally don't play with," such as bubbles, yo-yos and coloring books. Popsicles also go over well with tired, thirsty dancers, she said.

But along with the general excitement of dance marathon, there are some that are plain-old scared, like first-time dancer John Kenell (senior-history).

"I know what I'm getting into, but I don't know what I'm getting into," said Kennell, a member of Delta Tau Delta fraternity, 429 E. Hamilton Ave. "I'm looking forward to the hallucinations. I heard that's the best."

The unknown is also what is scaring another dancer, although she has experienced dance marathon as a morale captain.

Jennifer O'Hara (senior-biology) said to gear up for dance marathon, she has been running, eating properly and avoiding her favorite caffeine provider -- coffee, something she hasn't had a cup of in a month.

"I'm anxious for that cup of coffee on Tuesday," said O'Hara, a member of Zeta Tau Alpha sorority, 2 Ritner.

And businesses downtown are also getting ready for dance marathon. Stuart MacNeil, director of sales at the Atherton Hilton, 125 S. Atherton St., said dance marathon guests were offered special rates, and some free rooms were given out.

MacNeil said the hotel is filled for the weekend, but it is not just because of the marathon, but also because of the wrestling meet and the Ohio State University basketball game.

Melanie Kazsimer, bartender at the Lion's Den, 118 S. Garner St., said people like to wander down the street before and after dance marathon.

"It's actually a little busier this weekend," she said. "A lot of people come from out of town."

At McDonald's Restaurant, 442 E. College Ave., manager Beth Markle said this weekend is much busier, especially during breakfast. Friends take food up to the dancers but she said it isn't as crazy as other weekends, because a lot of the patrons will be at dance marathon.

"We won't have our usual drunks," she said.