Published: March 27, 2008 11:47 pm      

Obama visit already a hot ticket

Campaign releases plans for town hall meeting

Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama will hold a “town hall meeting” Saturday in Johnstown – taking questions from the audience – officials said Thursday.

Among the new details released was the time of Obama’s speech: 1 p.m. at Greater Johnstown High School’s gymnasium.

Doors are scheduled to open at 11:30 a.m.

The event is free, but tickets are required. All tickets that were initially available were distributed Thursday evening, but workers at Obama’s Johnstown campaign headquarters said they hope to have more available today.

The office at 508 Main St. is open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Using a buzz word in Obama’s campaign, the Saturday speech is labeled a “road to change” meeting.

“He’s going to give a short speech and then take some questions,” Obama spokesman Matt Lehrich said. “He really wants to have a discussion with Pennsylvania voters.”

The campaign also set a few rules for attendees: Leave bags at home, limit personal belongings and don’t bring signs or banners.

Obama starts a Pennsylvania tour today with events scheduled in Pittsburgh and Greensburg. On Sunday, he is due in State College.