By 4:30 p.m. Thursday the line outside the Obama For America Fairfax office stretched the entire span of the shopping center on Lee Highway with people eagerly hoping for a ticket to see President Barack Obama’s grassroots event Saturday.

The first family in line arrived at 9 a.m. with lawn chairs and umbrellas to shield from the sun. Soon after they arrived, the line started to build with a large portion of people arriving between 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. to claim one of the available 750 tickets.

Melissa Trapp drove with her daughter Sydney from Fredericksburg and got in line around 1:30 p.m. She said her six-year-old-daughter had been entertained all day and was excited for the chance to see Obama speak.

“She told me to go everywhere she can see the president or first lady,” Trapp said. “She wants to see him back in office.”

In front of the Trapps in line was another group of four. Kenya Savage drove from Loudoun County with her sons Tyler and Trever to try to get tickets.

“We thought it was important for the boys to see the President of the United States,” Savage said.

Volunteers carrying clipboards walked up and down the line of people, waiting to offer assistance in registering voters for the November election.

Many people had young children with them and had brought along various electronics and toys to keep themselves occupied until ticket distribution began at 5:30 p.m. Members of the Obama for America Office allowed people periodically to cool off and use the bathroom, including people with infants toward the front of the line.

The line moved slowly and at 7:30 p.m. only 300 tickets remained with a long line of people still hopeful of receiving one. Once inside the office, each person received his or her ticket, with the option of receiving two. Children under 8 are not required to present a ticket.

Ticket recipients registered their information in a computer with a volunteer and were advised to arrive at the event earlier than the listed “doors open” time of 2 p.m. Saturday. No bags, sharp objects, liquids or signs will be allowed inside Centreville High School. Cameras are permitted.

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