Hilton Coliseum turned out to be the perfect place for a party Friday night as Phish provided entertainment for the somewhat conservative Ames crowd.

Phish-heads and local concertgoers invaded the Coliseum parking lot around 3 p.m. on Friday and began the ritualistic celebration that accompanies every Phish performance.

Both experienced Phish followers and local newbies acknowledged the apathetic security force assembled by the Iowa State Center, DPS and local law enforcement.

With little to no inhibitions, the anxious Ames crowd expelled their energy in every form imaginable as the showtime approached.

In the seemingly restrictive venue where the signs read, “NO SMOKING, NO FIREWORKS, NO BOTTLES, NO FUN, etc.,” the pre-concert festivities featured all the familiar Phish show ingredients, including smoke, sauce, smells, spinning and singing.

Although the ticket stubs read 7:30 p.m., the Vermont quartet didn’t take the stage until almost 8 p.m.

Phish guitarist Trey Anastasio reeled his loyal companions in with the common riff to “Chalkdust Torture,” which has become one of many Phish-head anthems.

The extended jam concluded with the crowd chanting the cheer-like chorus, “Can I live while I’m young?”

Next, the funky, bass heavy, “Moma Dance,” which appears on the band’s latest album “The Story of the Ghost,” displayed the 16-year-old ensemble’s musical versatility.

“Sparkle” exposed the band’s country face and encouraged more dancing in the aisles and concourses, lighting of sparklers and bouncing on the seats.

Another new funky jam, “First Tube,” led into the piano-heavy “Bathtub Gin,” which highlighted the interplay between keyboarder Page McConnell and Anastasio.

The first set closed with the bouncy “Heavy Things,” a groovy “Limb by Limb” and a great set-closer in “Cavern.”

Though some of the energy was lost during the 30-minute break, the intermission allowed the amazement of the event to soak in.

The second set opened with “NICU” and crowd favorite, “Run like an Antelope.”

Phish appropriately followed the popular tune with their trademark extended jam, which included “The Horse,” “Silent in the Morning” and the deep funk of “Gumbo.”

“Mountains in the Mist” lost a few of those less familiar with Phish’s music, but the final trio of songs ended the second set in brilliant fashion.

“Julius” ended with a raging jam and seemed like the end of the show, but the “Fluffhead” that followed brought dancing and singing uncommon to conservative Ames.

The set concluded with “Slave to the Traffic Light,” a perfect follow to “Fluffhead.” Drummer Jon Fishman, donned in the usual polka-dot sun dress, and the rest of the ensemble bowed to the cheering crowd and exited without fanfare.

The most surprising treat featured McConnell under the spotlight singing an encore cover of Hendrix’s “Bold as Love.”