The time and place have been set for President Obama's visit to Charlottesville. Instead of UVA, the commander in chief will now campaign at the nTelos Wireless Pavilion at 1:00 Wednesday afternoon.
The campaign stop is part of a two-day college tour, where he will highlight the parts of his platform that will impact young, college age voters. He will also focus on the importance of getting out the youth vote.
Now, the next big step for the Obama campaign is helping people get their hands on tickets. Volunteers at the downtown mall office, spent the morning making calls, and spreading the word that the president will be in town on Wednesday.
"As it turns out for logistical reasons, the UVA sites didn't work out at this time with students just arriving, so the decision was made late [Friday] to go with the pavilion," said Jim Nix, with the Charlottesville Democrats.
Tickets will be handed out Sunday at noon and will be free, but on a first-come first-served basis at multiple locations (listed below). Volunteers are already bracing for long lines similar to what we saw when first lady Michelle Obama was expected to visit.
Obama campaign volunteer Karen Wicks said, "It was just a mad house, but everyone is just so excited that our president is going to be here."
The first phone calls went to people who waited for a chance to see Mrs. Obama, but the campaign stresses there is only one way to get a guaranteed ticket – to volunteer.
"They come in and work two hours before the event and help us prepare for the event and that will earn them a guaranteed ticket. So if anyone is interested in doing that they can come down to the office and talk with us about that," said Nix.
Extra people will be working in the office to handle the crowds.
Wicks heard the president speak during his last stop in Charlottesville, and says all the frenzy is just getting her more pumped up.
"Folks need to be prepared to come early and wait a little while, but boy oh boy, is it ever worth the wait. This is a charismatic president who really knows how to just light up the space," said Wicks.
See below for details about ticket locations.
Press Release from the Obama Campaign
Grassroots Event with President Obama in Charlottesville, VA
On Wednesday, August 29, President Obama will deliver remarks at a grassroots event at the Charlottesville nTelos Wireless Pavilion as part of his two-day college tour, following grassroots events in Iowa and Colorado. During the tour, President Obama will discuss the choice for young voters in this election between two fundamentally different visions of how to grow the economy, in part by ensuring that our future workers can afford to get a college degree. The President will also highlight the importance of registering to vote, especially amongst young people, and will encourage Americans to understand their voting rights and know how to exercise them in their state.
EVENT LOCATION: Charlottesville nTelos Wireless Pavilion
DOORS OPEN: 1:00 PM EDT
Ticket Distribution Information for Members of the Public: Tickets are available for the President's event in Charlottesville, VA. The event is free and open to the public, but tickets are required for entrance. One ticket per person will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. To pick up your ticket, visit one of the following locations beginning Sunday, August 26 at 12:00 PM EDT.
OFA-VA Downtown Charlottesville Field Office
407 E Main Street
Charlottesville, VA 22902
Additional ticket pick-up sites
OFA-VA Albemarle Field Office
335 Greenbrier Drive, Suite 206
Charlottesville, VA 22901
OFA-VA Fluvanna Field Office
265 Turkeysag Trail, #110
Palmyra, Fluvanna County,VA 22963
UVA Campus
The Corner
1325 West Main St.
Charlottesville, VA 22903
