Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama will visit Casper and Laramie on Friday, his campaign announced today.

The Illinois senator will speak at 2 p.m. Friday at the Casper Recreation Center gymnasium. Doors will open at 12:30 p.m., and the public is asked to enter through the Casper Ice Arena.

The event is free and open to the public, but space is limited, and tickets are required. Admission is on a first-come, first-served basis. Tickets are available at the Obama campaign office in Casper, 254 N. Center St., #206, from 4 to 8:30 p.m. today and from 9 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Thursday; and at the Sheridan office, 118 N. Brooks, from 9 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Thursday.

Obama will then speak at 7:15 p.m. at the University of Wyoming Arena-Auditorium in Laramie. Doors will open at 5 p.m. Tickets are not required for this event, but admission is on a first-come, first-served basis.