CHICAGO (WLS) -- The Obama Presidential Center has officially opened to the public.
Thousands attended the Obama Presidential Center Grand Opening ceremony Thursday.
Here's what to know about the events.
Watch the full opening ceremony below:
The Obama Presidential Center officially opened to the public Friday.
"I am so fantastic. I have never seen anything like this in my whole entire life," Adrienne Afflalo said.
Afflalo was one of the lucky few to snag a ticket for Friday.
"It's just a wonderful thing the Lord has done for this area, and I appreciate Obama and his family wanting here in this area," Marjorie Blakely said.
Blakely and her son, Antonio Terry, stopped by to take a photo in front of the center on their way back to their new home in Nashville.
"I'm a doctoreal student at Tennessee State University, and Obama center was opened on the same day, Juneteenth, a celebration for Black Americans," Terry said.
Artist T.M. Noel traveled to share his artwork, entitled "The Weight of the World and FLOTUS," which he says was inspired by the Obamas' time in the White House.
"We look at Barack and Michelle as hope, and we want that hope," Noel said.
Ron Schafetz and his dogs, Penny and Pippen, wanted to celebrate the moment with a creative photo by the statue of fellow dog lovers, the Obamas.
He said Friday is about hope and joy.
"Whatever it takes to get everybody happy," Schafetz said.
The Obama Presidential Center opens soon, and there are openings and closings to navigate.
Monday, June 8 at 6 a.m. - Friday, June 19 at 6 a.m.
Blackstone, from Midway Plaisance to 60th St. - no parking both sides of the street.
60th St. from Dorchester to Blackstone.
Monday, June 8 at 6 a.m. - Monday, June 22 at 5 p.m.
60th St. from Dorchester to Stony Island - no parking both sides of the street.
60th St. from Blackstone to Stony Island EB
Monday, June 15 at 6 a.m. through Friday, June 19 at 7 p.m.
Midway Plaisance, from Dorchester to Stony Island EB and WB
Blackstone, from 59th St. to Midway Plaisance
Cornell, from Stony Island to 57th St.
Stony Island, from Midway Plaisance to 63rd St.
Stony Island, from 59th St. to 57th St.
59th St. EB, from Harper to Stony Island.
Monday, June 15 at 6 a.m. - Saturday, June 20 at 11:59 p.m.
Midway Plaisance, from Woodlawn to Blackstone.
Dorchester, from 59th to 60th St.
Wednesday, June 17 at 6 a.m. - Friday, June 19 at 6 a.m.
Woodlawn, from 59th to 60th St.
Midway Plaisance, from Ellis to Woodlawn.
Sidewalk restrictions
Monday, June 8 at 6 a.m. - Monday, June 22 at 5 p.m.
60th St. from Dorchester to Stony Island.
Monday, June 15 at 6 a.m. - Friday, June 19 at 7 p.m.
Midway Plaisance, from Dorchester to Stony Island.
Blackstone, from 59th St. to Midway Plaisance.
Cornell, from Stony Island to 57th St.
Monday, June 15 at 6 a.m. - Saturday, June 20 at 11:59 p.m.
Midway Plaisance, from Woodlawn to Blackstone.
Dorchester, from 59th St. to 60th St.
Grand opening celebrations continue all weekend at the Obama Presidential Center.
Tickets to the museum are sold out, but the campus is open.
Organizers encourage people to come out and enjoy the free family-friendly activities.
Nearly 2,000 visited the Obama center on the first day it opened to the public.
The first 100 visitors were greeted by the Obamas themselves.
Some waited years for Friday, and others traveled thousands of miles.
"This is a reminder what we can accomplish if we come together," said Derek Mack, who traveled from Georgia.
The campus was near its 15,000-person capacity all day.
"I cried a couple of times. I promise I did. Seeing the civil rights movement and fighting for their rights, it was just beautiful," Dr. Tiffany Brown said.
One family of four was among the first to tour the center.
"We had the special treat that we got to meet the first lady and the president. It was a special moment that we were able to see them. I got to hug the first lady and thank them for what they've done for the country and for the city," Cristina Villarreal said.
Several people said they didn't have tickets but still booked flights.
"To be in a city that is known for our first Black president, being at the inauguration, this brings everything back full circle for my life," said Coni Mack, who traveled from Georgia.
"Tight now we need to show our kids a lot of love and inclusion and acceptance, and so we are happy to show that to them," Kerrin Quezada said.
"Juneteenth is our freedom. So this moment, I can't describe it; it's too emotional," Inelda Cañate said.
Now, the reviews are coming in.
"I would say I love how thought about everything and they took their time building the Obama place. I love that," one child said.
The former president and first lady read to children at the presidential center library on opening day Friday.
Barack and Michelle Obama read "Where the Wild Things Are" to a crowd of students, staff and parents from Ray Elementary school.
Reading the Maurice Sendak book has become a tradition for the Obamas.
They read the book to children while in the White House, and Mrs. Obama narrated a special 60th anniversary unabridged audiobook edition.
The Obamas hope the book inspires young people to dream bigger, explore new possibilities, and recognize their own potential to lead and create change in their communities.
"This is your library. When I was your age, I loved books; I loved coming to libraries. Although sometimes the librarians said, 'shhh' because I was too loud," Barack Obama said.
After the interactive reading, Obama's parting message was encouraging the students to come back.
"When you read 'Just Like Max,' you bring the world to you; you can see everything and learn everything," Barack Obama said. "I want you guys to keep reading and the library is a great place to do that."
Reading Rainbow icon LeVar Burton also read to the children.
Some Ray parents volunteered for this special field trip.
"I was really excited to see my president, Barack Obama, Michelle Obama. They were everything and more I would have wished for," Daunte Henderson said.
"I am so pleased ... what a gift to us and our children, and something I will cherish for a long time," Benjamin Walker said.
Now 10-year-old August DuBois met Obama when he was in office.
"Last time I saw him when I was 1 I pinched his nose. I think I have a more pleasant experience with him this time," DuBois said.
The kids went to playground after the special reading.
Then the library was open to the public with people standing in line to get in and to check out books and get their very own Chicago Public Library card from the Obama branch.
The Obama Presidential Center officially opened to the public Friday.
"I am so fantastic. I have never seen anything like this in my whole entire life," Adrienne Afflalo said.
Afflalo was one of the lucky few to snag a ticket for Friday.
"It's just a wonderful thing the Lord has done for this area, and I appreciate Obama and his family wanting here in this area," Marjorie Blakely said.
Blakely and her son, Antonio Terry, stopped by to take a photo in front of the center on their way back to their new home in Nashville.
"I'm a doctoreal student at Tennessee State University, and Obama center was opened on the same day, Juneteenth, a celebration for Black Americans," Terry said.
Artist T.M. Noel traveled to share his artwork, entitled "The Weight of the World and FLOTUS," which he says was inspired by the Obamas' time in the White House.
"We look at Barack and Michelle as hope, and we want that hope," Noel said.
Ron Schafetz and his dogs, Penny and Pippen, wanted to celebrate the moment with a creative photo by the statue of fellow dog lovers, the Obamas.
He said Friday is about hope and joy.
"Whatever it takes to get everybody happy," Schafetz said.
