Who knew hanging out in prison would be so popular?

Not the United Way of Butler County, that's for sure.

United Way officials hoped to attract 200 to 250 people to its fundraising Slumber in the Slammer tonight in the new Butler County Prison on South Washington Street.

But so many people called to get in on the one-time event the United Way had to stop tickets sales at 4 p.m. Thursday.

"We were going to sell tickets up to the 7 p.m. start time, but we think we'll be close to 400 by this (Thursday) afternoon," said Leslie Osche, United Way executive director.

The fundraiser for the United Way, VOICe, Mental Health Services of Butler County and Butler County Children and Youth will have participants spend the night in the prison tonight before it opens to house prisoners July 1.

Tickets are $20.

Osche said slumberers will be processed when they come to the jail, issued striped uniforms should they want them and fingerprinted.

Then participants can take tours of the prison, play games, and listen to jailhouse blues played by a singer.

Anyone who wants to get out early in the night can bond out with an additional $10 donation.

What has surprised the United Way staff is some of the groups that will be in the prison: Girl Scouts; Boy Scouts; children's birthday parties; and even a bridal party, expected to arrive after their rehearsal dinner and spend the night before the wedding on Saturday.

Osche will spend the night there and plans on playing many games of checkers with the warden and prison guards.

"Its going to be an experience," she said.