People are still filing into the Moda Center shortly before noon Friday to hear Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders. After the free, first come first served event, he will head to Safeco Field, home of the Seattle Mariners.

The appearances will come a day before the Washington Democratic caucuses Saturday.

Sanders, a Vermont senator, last appeared in the Portland area Sunday when he spoke at a rally in Vancouver. About 5,800 people gathered inside the gym at Vancouver's Hudson's Bay High School to listen to him speak, while 2,500 more tuned in from an overflow room.

He drew a hearty round of applause when he called for free tuition at public colleges and universities. He also spoke about campaign finance reform, corporate greed, economic inequality and his distaste for "establishment politics."

The senator returns to Safeco Field -- his second large rally here in less than a week -- hoping to energize voters a day before Washington's Democratic caucuses. Sanders has drawn big crowds in liberal cities like Seattle nationally, but in Washington he has also held events in more conservative areas like Spokane, Vancouver and Yakima.

The nominating contest is expected to draw tens of thousands of voters who will determine how 101 of the state's Democratic delegates will be awarded.

Seattle leads the way among large cities in per-capita individual contributions to Sanders, with about $145 for every 100 people, according to an analysis of federal campaign data. In terms of dollars, Seattle trails only New York and San Francisco in total individual contributions from cities, with $884,000 given through the end of February. That does not include individual contributions under $200, which makes up the majority of Sanders' support.

-- Staff and wire reports