SOUTH BEND — Police, politicians and pundits were making final adjustments Sunday night, with a Dyngus Day visit from former President Bill Clinton just hours away.

It was anything but a relaxing Easter holiday for dozens of volunteers, as they prepared for President Clinton and Chelsea Clinton to arrive in South Bend.

It's one of the most anticipated visits in the 78-year history of Dyngus Day in South Bend. Over the years, the traditional Polish celebration has evolved into a political event, aimed at giving voters a chance to meet candidates face to face, and local party leaders a last push to get out the vote before Election Day.

This year, some are predicting a record crowd.

On Easter Sunday, there was little time for celebration at the West Side Democratic and Civic Club. There were vacuums running, and brooms being pushed. Political signs were stapled up, and tables and chairs moved into their final positions.

And Club President Tim Hudak was taking it all in.

"[We're] energized [and] excited," he said. "[And] very nervous at this point! It is going to be a different Dyngus Day. That's what I can say about that."

Normally, Dyngus Day draws a crowd of around 1,000 people at the Club where it was started 78 years ago.

But with the Clintons and former Maryland Governor Kathleen Kennedy Townsend making an appearance this year, the predictions have grown to over 6,000.

Kennedy-Townsend is the daughter of former presidential candidate and brother of John F. Kennedy, Robert Kennedy.

"The way the hype has been built up in the last few days, I would really expect about 10,000 folks," said Hudak.

It's a major challenge for a small venue like the West Side Democratic Club.

And volunteer Terry LaVine is getting ready for it all.

"This is about 200 pounds of cabbage," he said, pointing to buckets of the traditional fare, cooked on Friday, and now stored in a giant walk-in freezer. "Me and my wife will be here at 3."

That's 3 in the morning.

After all, 1,000 pounds of polish sausage, noodles and cabbage won't cook itself!

But he's happy to go without sleep to witness something he hasn't seen in 40 years.

When asked if he remembered Robert Kennedy's Dyngus Day campaign stop at the Club in 1968, LaVine said, "Oh, yeah. It was a madhouse then."

But Terry says Monday's event will be even bigger.

"More cars, more vehicles, more people," he said.

And that has some living nearby a little worried.

Sylvia Torres has lived less than a block away from the Club for the last 8 years. She says even a normal Dyngus Day can be a traffic nightmare.

This year, she's worried she won't be able to get out of her driveway to go to work.

"Sometimes they even park in my driveway," she said. "I can't imagine what it will be this year. [I'm going to try] to get out at least an hour earlier."

Some aren't taking any chances though. They're parking in front of their driveways now, so they don't get blocked in.

Even so, most don't seem to mind.

"[It's worth the headache] definitely," said Catalino Jacinto, who lives just down the block. "I'm going to try to head out there and see if I can get in!"

"I never imagined a president coming here," echoed another neighbor.

And while Hudak promises it will be "a logistical nightmare," he says there is a simple solution.

"Be patient, come early, and be prepared to walk," he said.

Organizers expect President Clinton's speech to focus heavily on the economy, and what his wife plans to do to help the working poor.

The president and Chelsea Clinton will join Kathleen Kennedy Townsend at the West Side Democratic Club at 11:30 a.m. From there, they'll travel to the Elks Lodge on Western Avenue for Solidarity Day. They are expected to arrive around 12:45 p.m.

At 3:15 p.m., President Clinton will attend a rally at Rochester Community High School. Chelsea will travel to a rally in Bloomington, Ind.

South Bend police are also preparing for the president's visit. Roads across the city's west side are expected to be jammed, and some streets -- including Western Avenue -- will likely be shut down by the Secret Service while the president's motorcade is en route to both events.

Officers will also be enforcing parking restrictions around both the Democratic Club and Elks Lodge. Anyone parking in front of a driveway or in a fire lane will be ticketed and towed.