Ryan Haynes, a shaggy-haired high school student, passed the time in line for R.E.M. concert tickets last Friday night by greeting newcomers.

“Hey, do you want a free wiener? We have 36 of ’em over here!” Haynes shouted out.

The dim lights in the C.Y. Stephens Auditorium courtyard revealed a group of Ames High School students roasting hot dogs and marshmallows. Affectionately known as the “wiener patrol,” the group entertained the crowd with skits from Star Wars movies.

Fifty or more people sprawled on their blankets and lawn chairs, drinking beer, playing games, talking, shouting and laughing.

A group of fans was squirting lighter fluid in designs on the sidewalk and igniting it to make “flaming art.” As onlookers gasped, one boy sat on the sidewalk as the group sprayed lighter fluid around him in a circle and put a match to it.

Another group of campers, sporting colorful hairdos and body piercings, played Hackey Sack while fumbling with lit cigarettes.

“We’re in it for the long haul. If we get really good seats tomorrow morning, all this will be worth it,” said Jenny Emerson, a junior in biochemistry.

Although these devoted REM fans were willing to brave the chilly night outside waiting in line for concert tickets, their efforts didn’t guarantee them a better seat at the concert. When tickets went on sale Saturday morning at the C.Y. Stephens Box Office, they also went on sale nationwide at thousands of Ticketmaster locations.

Only the first 24 in line got tickets on the concert floor, but there was still that chance.

“You must be willing to go through the experience of camping out and bearing the cold to get the best seats,” said Joe Stansbery, an Ames High School student. “We are the people who are the most dedicated fans and want them the most.”

The night, however, didn’t pass without some rules.

“No grills, no tents, and everyone must have their car moved out of the fire lane and all the trash picked up before any tickets are sold tomorrow morning,” a Cardinal and Gold-clad Iowa State Center official said.

As the evening progressed and got considerably colder, campers huddled together under blankets and sleeping bags, keeping each other warm with community body heat. Friends of the campers brought more blankets, food and hot chocolate and coffee to help them through the brisk night.

So what possesses these fans to spend the whole night waiting in line for tickets?

“REM is one of the few really good bands still around and performing where at least one of the members hasn’t killed themselves,” said Ryan Harpers, who came out to have a good time even though he already had his ticket for the concert.

Harpers purchased his tickets through the Stagedoor Club, where a $45 annual membership allows members to reserve up to two seats for a concert one day in advance.

“It’s like one big slumber party under the stars,” said Kathryn Marks, a freshman in biology who camped out just to keep a friend company.

As the sun rose on Saturday morning, the crowd waiting outside C.Y. Stephens doubled, then tripled, in size. Food wrappers and beer cans littered the courtyard as campers slowly emerged from their sleeping bags.

“I came for the experience of camping out as well as getting concert tickets,” said Chad Mortensen, an Ames High School student. “This is a time for no responsibility or worries — just a time to have fun.”