What you should know about Obama's visit Monday
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1 of 23By Alex Horvath / The Californian
President Obama landed at the International Terminal at Meadows Field Airport in Kern County on Monday for the dedication of the Cesar Chavez National Monument.
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2 of 23By Alex Horvath / The Californian
President Obama landed at the International Terminal at Meadows Field Airport in Kern County on Monday for the dedication of the Cesar Chavez National Monument.
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3 of 23
By Alex Horvath / The Californian
President Obama greets about 72 well-wishers after landing at the International Terminal at Meadows Field Airport in Kern County on Monday for the dedication of the Cesar Chavez National Monument.
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4 of 23
By Henry A. Barrios/ The Californian
President Obama greets about 72 well-wishers after landing at the International Terminal at Meadows Field Airport in Kern County on Monday for the dedication of the Cesar Chavez National Monument. The President shakes hands with Julie Pharo from Clovis.
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5 of 23
By Henry A. Barrios / The Californian
President Obama exits Air Force One after landing at the International Terminal at Meadows Field Airport in Kern County on Monday for the dedication of the Cesar Chavez National Monument.
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6 of 23
By Shelby Mack / The Californian
President Obama turns and waves as he boards Air Force One to depart from Meadows Field after his visit to Kern County on Monday.
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7 of 23
By Alex Horvath / The Californian
President Obama, aboard Air Force One, takes off from the International Terminal at Meadows Field Airport in Kern County on Monday after attending the dedication of the Cesar Chavez National Monument.
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8 of 23
By Felix Adamo / The Californian
President Obama looks out over the crowd as he takes the stage at La Paz to announce the establishment of the Cesar E. Chavez National Monument in Kern County.
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9 of 23
By Felix Adamo / The Californian
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By Felix Adamo / The Californian
President Obama greets the crowd after his speech at La Paz where he announced the establishment of the Cesar E. Chavez National Monument.
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11 of 23
By Felix Adamo / The Californian
Thousands packed the grounds at La Paz to hear President Barack Obama announce the establishment of the Cesar E. Chavez National Monument.
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By Felix Adamo / The Californian
President Obama addresses the crowd at the newly established national monument, the Cesar E. Chavez National Monument in Keene.
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By Felix Adamo / The Californian
The presidential motorcade arrives at La Paz for the dedication of the Cesar E. Chavez National Monument.
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By Felix Adamo / The Californian
President Barack Obama acknowledges the warm reception he received at La Paz.
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By Felix Adamo / The Californian
Every hand had a camera or smart phone to take photos when the president took the stage at La Paz.
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By Felix Adamo / The Californian
President Obama thanks the crowd for the reception he received when he took the podium.
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By Felix Adamo / The Californian
On the roof of the Cesar E. Chavez National Monument, Secret Service agents keep an eye on things before the arrival of the president.
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By Felix Adamo / The Californian
Singer and actor Kris Kristofferson played a song and said a few words to the crowd before the arrival of the president.
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By Felix Adamo / The Californian
Actress Rosario Dawson, left, spent time posing for photos with fans while they all waited for the president to arrive.
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By Felix Adamo / The Californian
Dolores Huerta, left, stood with Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis as President Obama spoke.
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By Felix Adamo / The Californian
United States Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar has long championed Chavez.
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By Felix Adamo / The Californian
The "Obamanos" bumper sticker was a popular sight at the dedication of Cesar E. Chavez National Monument in Keene, CA.
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By Felix Adamo / The Californian
The president tried to greet as many Americans as he could following his speech at the dedication of the Cesar E. Chavez National Monument.
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By THE BAKERSFIELD CALIFORNIAN
President Obama is scheduled to visit Kern County Monday for the dedication of the Cesar Chavez National Monument. Here's what you might want to know.
Q: When is the president arriving?
A: Last week, Kern County Airports officials said Obama is expected to arrive at about 9 a.m. at Meadows Field.
Q: OK, I'm not going. What does this mean for my commute?
A: California Highway Patrol officials Sunday night said Highway 58 will not be closed. The president will be escorted through the area. The CHP said it will do its best to keep traffic flowing, but the freeway will be a bit delayed.
Q: Why is the president visiting Kern County?
A: For the dedication of the monument at Nuestra Senora Reina de la Paz, the UFW's headquarters and Chavez's home for much of his career.
La Paz is a 187-acre property. The monument area, donated by the Cesar Chavez Foundation to the federal government, will be a 3-acre portion that includes a memorial garden where Chavez is buried, his office and his house.
The monument is being designated under the Antiquities Act. It will be the fourth national monument Obama has designated.
Q: How can I go?
A: It's certainly likely people will try to get a glimpse of Air Force One at Meadows Field. But if you haven't already signed up for the event at La Paz and received a confirmation email from the United Farm Workers saying you're in, it's too late.
Those receiving an email were directed to arrive at a parking lot and staging area at Challenger Road and Capital Hills Parkway in Tehachapi between 6:30 and 7:30 a.m. Monday.
Then between 7 and 9 a.m., the invited guests will be shuttled from there to La Paz. The confirmation emails say guests should plan to spend most of the day in La Paz. That's because shuttles won't get them back to their cars until mid-afternoon, or even as late as 5 p.m.
Q: What if I want to visit the monument some other time?
A: The Cesar Chavez Foundation website says the National Chavez Center is open every day from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., except on major holidays. Those hours are expected to remain the same following the dedication.
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