Thousands expected for Obama fund-raiser at BU

It won’t be a typical political fund-raiser, with a few hundred people seated at round dinner tables in a hotel ballroom. Instead, Senator Barack Obama of Illinois will address thousands of local college students and area residents in a Boston University arena tonight, as he hosts the official Massachusetts kickoff of his presidential campaign.

More than 5,000 supporters are expected to attend the fund-raiser at the Agganis arena, where Obama will make his first public appearance in the state since he announced his candidacy for president.

Organizers say the event, which has been largely planned by college students, emphasizes two main themes of Obama’s campaign: inclusiveness and grass-roots mobilizing.

‘‘He’s going to come out and speak, and we’re going to go crazy,’’ said Joshua Darr, Massachusetts state director for Students for Barack Obama.

Shortly after establishing a chapter of the group at BU two months ago, Jon Marker, a senior majoring in political science, said he was contacted by the local campaign about organizing a youth-centered event in Boston. Students from a core group of 11 area schools — including Northeastern University, Brandeis College, and Tufts University — began selling tickets on their campuses, alerting their friends, and creating interest groups on social networking websites such as Facebook.

As political fund-raisers go, the price to attend tonight’s rally is cheap. Student tickets cost $23 a piece, while a group of young professionals called Generation O, which supports Obama, is selling seats for $115 or $230 each. Attendees can make a maximum contribution of $2,300, organizers say.

The doors to Agganis Arena — which typically hosts sporting events, concerts, and trade shows — will open at 6 p.m. Inside, the venue will be decorated with American flags and bright banners bearing Obama’s name. A male a capella group from Tufts and a dance troupe will perform before Obama takes the stage at about 7 p.m.

The student leaders say that Obama’s message of hope and nonpartisanship resonates with their peer group because they are coming into their political consciousness with only a legacy of divided government to remember. They watched Obama’s speech at the Democratic National Convention in Boston three years ago and say they appreciate the stance he has taken against the war in Iraq.

‘‘It’s just a fresh message,’’ said Marker, 21. ‘‘And as everyone can relate to, it’s nice to feel included.’’

Alan Solomont, who heads Obama’s New England fund-9raising, said tonight is about including everybody, raising money, generating excitement, and expressing the ‘‘enthusiasm that people in our area, young and old feel, toward Barack’s candidacy.’’

‘‘Barack Obama is about challenging the status quo,’’ Solomont said.

April Simpson can be reached at asimpson@globe.com.