Last night, young campaigners gathered outside the National Arts Centre to show their support for their candidates.

They arrived hours before to stake out their spots, a scene reminiscent of lining up for wrist bands for the next U2 concert.

The NDP had the north side to themselves, while the across the lane Liberals and Conservatives stood elbow to elbow.

For someone who witnessed anti-globalization protesters clashing with riot police in the same spot seven years ago, this demonstration was quite tame in comparison.

Creative marks go to the young Liberal dressed in a kangaroo suit, waving the Australian flag and chanting "Howard, Howard". A reminder of the Stephen Harper speech in 2003 that was lifted from the Australian Prime Minister by one of Harper's speech writers

The Conservatives were very well organized. Spreading out around the corner they made their crowd look the biggest. They also had the best swag — lots of buttons, bandanas and a bull horn to tweak Liberal ears. One of their campaign buses also joined in, driving up and down Elgin Street loudly honking its horn.

The NDP's orange signs jumped out in the fading light and they had one of their buses stop by for support. This scribe only saw a few Bloc and the Green supporters join in.

Four or so Bloc supporters walked up behind the NDP lines carrying a couple of Quebec flags, but didn't seem to say much.

About the same number of young Greens zoomed by on the other side, to help cheer the arrival of their leader by hybrid vehicle.

The wild card came when a fathers' rights advocate in a purple van tried to get into the act, but police suggested he should drive on.

Was this a dress rehearsal for tonight's debate? We'll find out in only a few hours.

— Chris Rands