LAS VEGAS - Metro Police and United States Secret Service converged for hours on the Element by Westin Hotel in Summerlin Wednesday evening to prepare for a distinguished guest: President Barack Obama.
After security sweeps and road closures, the presidential motorcade made its way to its final destination of the night.
Carol and Ed Bieganowski were part of a small crowd that gathered close to the hotel near the Bruce Woodbury Beltway and Town Center Drive to see the president arrive.
"It was very exciting though, all the motorcycles and flashing lights," Carol said.
"I was very excited. I hadn't been this close to a president in years, so I was sort of privileged to be down here," Ed added.
Onlookers were curious as to why President Obama chose to stay farther away from the bright lights of the Las Vegas Strip.
"This Element is earth friendly, and I think he's trying to promote that on his visit," Carol Bieganowski said.
Energy will be a major theme on this presidential trip. President Obama is on a three-day tour of five battleground states. Nevada, a toss-up state, could determine whether he gets a second term in the White House.
Aside from tight security, his arrival in Summerlin had little fanfare. Only a few families who wanted to see a presidential motorcade in person chose to greet the president.
"We came down to see the president arrive here at the Element in Summerlin. We got to see the motorcade, and the kids loved it," said onlooker Philip Davis.
"I thought it was really exciting, and I really liked it," added 6-year-old Rylee Davis.
"I liked the motorcycles," 6-year-old Jamison Bourey said.
Those motorcycles and the rest of the motorcade will take off again Thursday morning. The motorcade travels to UPS near Warm Springs Road and Bermuda Road. Drivers should expect some traffic delays along the 215 Beltway Thursday morning.
The president's remarks are scheduled for 10 a.m.
