WARREN - Daron Lee wasn't taking any chances on Friday.
The Warren man was the first in line for tickets to see President Barack Obama and former President Bill Clinton speak Monday at the Covelli Centre in Youngstown.
Tickets were handed out beginning at 1 p.m. from the Organizing for America office on South Park Avenue. Lee, 47, showed up at 9 a.m. He said he would have waited six hours - even in the snow - for the chance to hear Obama speak.
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Tribune Chronicle photos / Bonnie Hazen
A long line forms Friday outside the Obama election headquarters in Warren for a chance to get tickets for the appearance of President Obama with former President Clinton on Monday at the Covelli Centre in Youngstown.
Hundreds of others joined the line that stretched from the Park Avenue office and down Franklin Street. Some shivered with the touch of a cool fall breeze; others clapped and cheered the chill away, chanting "four more years."
Although most who were questioned said they were eager to see both president and former president alike, some had their favorites.
"I'm here to see Clinton - Bubba, the big dog," said Doug Thomas of Howland. He had stopped earlier that morning to check out the length of the line with his 84-year-old mother but returned later in the afternoon alone.
Referring to his present position in line - last - he joked, "I'd rather be first."
"We're glad to wait," said Sheila McKnight, 64, of Braceville. "This is a special privilege to see two living presidents."
Ron Schoch, 62, of Warren, said the cool weather didn't faze him, and he'd still wait in line if it were snowing.
Others admitted the wait was starting to take its toll. "It's a long line. It's getting cold," said Louise Kovar, 69, of Windham. But "it's worth it."
Tickets also were handed out at the Youngstown venue, where a line starting forming just after 7 a.m.
Covelli Centre workers estimated the crowd reached about 2,500, according to Tribune Chronicle newspartner WYTV 33 News. Some of those in line brought chairs and others brought umbrellas to block the sun while they waited their turn.
"I feel like it's just gonna be an amazing experience, especially with two presidents in one building. Like, how can you miss this?" Emily Kinnick of Austintown said.
The campaign visit kicks off at 4 p.m. at the Covelli Centre, with doors opening at 2:30.
The visit will be Obama's second in the Mahoning Valley on his re-election campaign and his fourth visit as president.
Clinton visited the Valley both as president and in support of fellow Democrats after he left the White House.