From parking to preparations, Obama visit keeps workers busy

by Sarah Rice (srice@wsbt.com)

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washington high school preps for obama talk

Volunteers and workers were busy preparing for Sen. Barack Obama's visit to Washington High School on Wednesday, April 9, 2008. (WSBT photo)

By Tiffany Griffin

Story Created: Apr 9, 2008 at 10:50 AM EST

Story Updated: Apr 9, 2008 at 7:58 PM EST

SOUTH BEND — Sen. Barack Obama is expected to take center stage at South Bend's Washington High School around 10 p.m. Wednesday.

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Dozens of people kept busy setting up for the presidential candidate's visit — some arriving as early as 5 a.m.

Getting ready for an event of this magnitude doesn't just take a lot of people, it takes time. And some workers say that can make their job difficult.

"We got started around 7:30," said AAY’S Rent-All employee Jim Troyer.

And workers from AAY’S Rent-All didn't waste any time, loading and unloading the fencing used to build security barricades.

"There's a lot of things that go into it. A lot of people. A lot of different companies," said AAY’S Rent-All employee Josh Stith.

Taping, twisting, and hanging everything from banners to lights.

With so much to do, in such little time, it can be difficult, especially when workers are given such short notice.

"Oh yeah, it's a lot of people to deal with security-wise. It puts people behind, obviously the security reasons that's understandable. It definitely makes us get ready earlier. It puts wrenches where you don't need them. It makes it harder a lot of times. But we work around it," said Troyer.

And the preparations didn't end on the inside.

After living next to Washington High School for more than 30 years, Rick Sobczak knows how hectic traffic can get. He's glad to see police are already preparing.

"I see the cones are out already and they're blocking some of the streets," he said.

In anticipation of a transformation, the "Pride of the West Side" has never seen before.

"Actually it's been exciting," said Troyer.

Workers had the majority of the work done by noon.

The doors at Washington will open Wednesday at 8 p.m. and the event is scheduled to begin at 10 p.m.

Washington Street from Lombardy Drive to Summit Drive will be closed to through traffic. Parking is available on neighborhood streets, or in the large lot at the former K-Mart at Summit Drive and Western Avenue. From there attendees can walk to the school.

For the latest on Sen. Obama's visit to South Bend, stay with WSBT News and WSBT.com.

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