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Posted on Fri, Apr 30, 2010 : 12:30 p.m.

Get up-to-the-minute U-M commencement coverage on AnnArbor.com all day Saturday

By Amalie Nash

Evidence is plentiful this week of President Barack Obama's impending arrival - from the long lines to score tickets to see him speak to the preparations around Michigan Stadium to the helicopters flying overhead Thursday afternoon.

Many in the city are wondering what the chaos will be like - or how to avoid the madness altogether.

All week, AnnArbor.com has brought you stories leading up to commencement day, from the weather forecast to the seemingly unflappable student speaker.

Obama-Friday.jpg

President Barack Obama walks to the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington, Friday. He'll be in Ann Arbor on Saturday.

Evan Vucci | The Associated Press

Tonight, we'll be downtown reporting on the preparations and the mood around the stadium. At midnight, South Main Street will be closed and won't reopen until Saturday at 2 p.m.

And Saturday morning, a team of AnnArbor.com reporters and photographers will be up early - as will anyone who lives near Elbel Field since the sound system testing starts at the crack of dawn. Graduates will gather there and travel en masse to the stadium.

Throughout the day, you'll find comprehensive coverage on AnnArbor.com of President Obama's commencement address - and all that surrounds it. We'll be live blogging throughout the event (with any luck, connectivity won't be an issue in the Big House).

We'll tell you what's going on inside and outside the stadium - including protests  and traffic jams, and we'll have stories of those who simply come out to see what's going on. We'll talk to students and parents. We'll have videos and slideshows.

And we'll post a copy of Obama's speech as soon as we get it, as well as first-hand accounts from people who are there and have agreed to share their experiences throughout the day. In addition, we'll have a link to the live stream provided by the Big Ten Network to watch the speech online.

You'll even notice some changes to our homepage that day.

We want you to be part of our coverage. Here's how:

  • Follow us on Twitter & post your updates: @AnnArborcom. Use the hashtags #obamaA2 or #umgrad10
  • Send us a TwitPic: AnnArborcom.2010@twitpic.com
  • Text us what you're seeing & hearing: 734-719-1050.
  • Email us your experience, photos or video: news@annarbor.com
  • Post your thoughts on Facebook and watch our page for live updates: Facebook.com/AnnArborcom
  • Like our new Facebook page and watch it during the ceremony for more live updates: U-M graduation 2010: Obama in Ann Arbor

If you want to watch the speech with some of our staff members, you can do that too. The first floor of AnnArbor.com at 301 E. Liberty St. will be open from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

After it's over, we'll have plenty of coverage wrapping up the big day.

If you have ideas or see something we might want to report, let us know. E-mail or call the newsroom at 734-623-2530 anytime throughout the day.

Are you ready for tomorrow? Are you going or staying away? What do you think the chaos will be like? Comment below.

Comments

amlive

Fri, Apr 30, 2010 : 9:22 p.m.

Parade? Are you talking about Obama's motorcade arrival. I didn't hear any public arrival announced, and kind of figured they were sending him in through secret underground tunnels, or at least quietly through the back door. But really, where, what time?

Moose

Fri, Apr 30, 2010 : 8:30 p.m.

I intend to walk over and watch the parade. Maybe take some pics to show the grandkids.

Chuck Marshall

Fri, Apr 30, 2010 : 12:49 p.m.

I'll be there photo-journaling the event and attending the President's speech during Commencement. Even though it will be total chaos, I think it will be fun to see it through my camera :)