STEVENS POINT, Wis. (AP) -- The self-proclaimed world's largest trivia contest begins its 54-hour run Friday in Stevens Point.

Contest mastermind Jim Oliva says "The Trivia Invasion," with a focus on the British music invasion of the 1960s, is the theme for the 39th annual competition.

About 450 teams with about 12,000 players are expected to take part, some after traveling from across the nation.

Some consider the contest an annual rite of spring in central Wisconsin - a holiday of sorts to renew friendships, answer obscure pop culture questions, eat, party and get little sleep.

The contest involves eight questions read every hour on WWSP 90 FM, the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point radio station.

Contestants search books, the Internet, movies and other sources for answers.

A parade through town Friday afternoon kicks off the weekend.

It wraps up at midnight Sunday.