Jake Lacey/Arizona Daily Wildcat Campaign Arizona is celebrating the completion of its fundraising drive on the UA Mall tomorrow. The fundraising effort has brought in more than $1 billion since it began in 1997. Saturday's celebration will be attended by more than 600 faculty, staff and private donors.

An upcoming celebration to mark the finale of a billion-dollar fundraising effort caused some temporary construction on the UA Mall this week as workers set up for tomorrow's event.

Performers, musicians and speakers will take the stage that has been constructed on the Mall to celebrate the successful "Campaign Arizona" fundraiser, which has received as much as $1.2 billion since its launch in 1997, said Rodney Campbell, director of communications and the University of Arizona Foundation.

Upward of 600 attendees, including faculty, staff and private donors, are going to the black tie gala event that includes refreshments and entertainment such as speeches, songs, dance performances and a student orchestra, Campbell said.

Seats for the celebration are reserved, but students who want to watch can stand outside the concert perimeter.

The preparatory construction on the Mall included building the stages and seating for guests and installing speakers and video equipment, all of which should be removed early next week, Campbell said.

Campbell said the goal of the event is for the university community to show its gratitude to many of the people who made Campaign Arizona possible.

"It's really just a way to thank and appreciate the donors who helped make the campaign the success that it was," Campbell said.

The finale begins at 8:30 p.m. and will run until 10 p.m. For further information call 626-3540.