The free party will be held in the E-Centre's lobby, which can accommodate as many as 3,000 people.

The E-Centre is only a few hundred feet from where the decorated warship will sit at permanent anchor, possibly as early as the summer of 2001.

The party will begin at 2 p.m. and last until 5.

To celebrate the Navy decision to award Camden the floating museum, partygoers will be able to dance to the swing music of the Russ Patrick Orchestra of Cherry Hill, or do the strut to the Two Street Band of Gloucester City.

They'll also be able to warm up with Navy bean soup, eat battleship cake, feast their eyes on an ice sculpture and watch a 10-minute video on the history of the New Jersey.

Each party-goer will also leave with a memento.

Freeholder Pat Jones said the party could cost up to $10,000, depending on the extent of donated services and supplies.

``The county is having this party to thank all citizens who worked hard and generated community support for the ship,'' Jones said.