Barack Obama comes to Battle Creek: Playing with the big kids

by Laura Adams

I wanted to catch all the excitement, so I made sure to be downtown in time to catch the first of the free shuttles to CO Brown stadium from the Battle Creek Transit bus station. Great idea, by the way

The cheer went up as the first shuttle approached: “It’s the Have a Nice Day Shuttle!”

People lined up for the first bus out to the rally site.

While I was on the bus, I spoke to two ladies who were active in the Civil Rights movement during the 60′s and recalled the race riots in Detroit and Chicago. I asked them if either of them imagined that they’d one day be on their way to see a black candidate for president speak?

Neither of them did, but they were on their way to make history.

The first person I saw when I climbed down from the shuttle bus was Trae. He posed for a picture showing off his Obama t-shirt, and he did “that thing all the kids do”.

There was a really long line, stretching almost to the street.

To keep people from parking illegally on their property, one of the neighbors charged $10 for parking.

The world came to Battle Creek, yesterday, as the fleet of satellite trucks shows.

A contingent of young people from the Michigan Youth Challenge Academy was on hand to help with security.

Here is a group shot of the contingent. I asked a group of them, who came up to the fence, if they ever imagined when they signed up for the MYCA that they would find themselves at an event where they were going to be welcoming the man who had a good chance of being our next President.

None of them had. I wished them all the best for their futures.

Here is the view I had of the little stage, the stool and the lectern.

A cameraman, hoists his camera high while the crowd cheers and waves.

More people waving and cheering for the camera.

I couldn’t resist taking a picture of this. A member of the press had built a hood for his laptop so that he could see the screen, out of a Molson’s box, a Foster’s box, and some duct tape. Now that’s Yankee ingenuity for you..

This is one of the many Secret Service men and women who were present at the rally. Either that, or he is one of the Agents from the Matrix. Hard to tell from the back. They are a bunch of hard-working and very alert people, who kept an eye on things throughout the day.

Cranky Bob was keeping cool under a hat that didn’t camoflage his big smile.

Mark Schauer was on hand and worked the crowd, helping to get them all fired up.

Here is Battle Creek Enquirer reporter Trace Christenson, pad and cameras at the ready.

And you thought police officers had to carry a heavy “tool belt”. This photographer is weighed down from hip to hip with the tools of his trade.

Not suprisingly there were a few minor casualities due to the heat. Normal for an outdoor event in the summer around here when you have thousands of people baking in the 90 degree heat for hours. In minutes, she was sitting up and drinking some ice water. Thanks to all the EMT’s who were on hand to look after the crowd.

This is where Gary’s chair belongs.

And this, is Gary, standing on his chair and posing for me. I’m not sure who he works for, but he was a real hoot.

City Commissioner Andy Yankama was on hand for the occasion.

He brought a key to the city with him, in hopes of presenting it, but the campaign worker I located was not able to facilitate that. She did accept the proclamation letter and his business card.

Some of the many photographers and camerapeople baking in the hot sun on one of a pair of risers set up for the purpose.

A man from CNN adds to the tangle of wires by laying some cable.

Cranky Bob and Justin Hinkley were all aTwitter during the event.

A fleet of satellite trucks beaming out footage of the candidates.

A few people had chairs to sit on as they waited.

A young reporter interviews people behind the barrier.

A member of the press shows off the latest in hot-day headgear, otherwise known as “I should have worn a hat”.

I got a bad case of lens envy, even though her lens is so heavy it requires a prop to keep it steady.

Another familiar face, whom I collected a hug from. Here is BCPD Chief David Headings chatting with one of the many, many, local volunteers who made the event possible.

Two people in the bleachers waiting patiently for the action to start.

Things started to get interesting, here is Senator Debbie Stabenow arriving.

Followed by a man with a microphone on a stick to record the cheers of the crowd.

Here is Kate Segal, who I followed around my neighborhood just the other day. She said then that she hoped to be able to speak at the rally to welcome the candidates. And she did. Go Kate!