Towers residents may be saying good-bye to their homes Friday and Saturday — but for this weekend, these “homeless” students are only moving outside.

The “Shantytown” celebration, put on by the Towers Residence Association, will kick off at 7 p.m. Friday with a shanty-building contest in the courtyard between the four buildings.

Brian Collins, event organizer and junior in biology, said 1,500 pounds of cardboard and a lot of duct tape will be available for shanty-builders.

Collins said the builder of the best-looking shanty will win a 20-inch combination TV/DVD player.

Event organizer Ryan Doll said several university officials, including Dean of Students Pete Englin would be speaking at the event.

An open mic is also planned for people who have lived in Towers to share their stories and what they will miss about living there, as well as a tour of Shantytown.

Brendan Nolan, elected Shantytown mayor, will also speak on Friday night.

Collins said in addition to speakers and the shanty-building contest there will also be shanty businesses, including a clothing shop.

Doll said the contest is slated to begin at 7 p.m. and will last until 11 p.m. He said the shanties must be usable.

“We don’t really have too many rules as to what constitutes a good shanty,” Collins said.

He said the main criteria is overall appearance and usability. Usability, he said, means the builders have to be able to sleep in the shanty.

Visitors of the clothing shop can donate their clothing, which can be bought by others visiting the shop for a small fee. The profits will be donated to Habitat for Humanity of Central Iowa. Clothing that is not sold will be donated to Goodwill Industries International Inc.

Sharon Eddie, junior in animal science, said her floor is in charge of a coffee shop, which she said will be nice when the weather gets cold at night.

“The main thing for me is not only is the event for charity, Habitat for Humanity of Central Iowa, but it’s the culminating event for Towers; it’s nice to get everyone together,” Eddie said.

On Saturday, the festivities are scheduled to begin at noon with the band Sweet Afton. Keepers of the Carpet is also scheduled to play.

Other Saturday events include the Shantytown businesses, ultimate Frisbee, tug-of-war and carnival games.

Collins said there would also be a jail where people can pay to have other people arrested and put into jail for a certain amount of time.

“Shantytown deputies can be bribed with money, which will go to Habitat for Humanity of Central Iowa,” Collins said.

From noon to 2 p.m. a “hobo stew” will be served for a free will donation.

One thousand dollars worth of door prizes will be given out throughout the event, including a DVD player, digital camera and movies.

The event is open to the entire Ames and ISU community.

“I hope everybody comes out and supports the final Towers event,” Collins said. “Towers will be missed by a lot of people. If it’s successful, maybe we can do it again next year at a different location.”