Thousands attend star-studded Obama Center opening ceremony; center opens to public | Updates

The former president and first lady read to children at the presidential center library on opening day Friday.

The Obamas read to children and parents at the library at the presidential center 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.

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 dignitaries got to see the Obama Presidential Center on Thursday. On Friday, it's our turn!

The first members of the public get to experience it. If you're planning to visit the museum soon, just a reminder, you don't need tickets to visit the campus, but you do need tickets to get into the museum.

Free events include visits to the top of the museum and the public library.

Admission is discounted for Illinois residents at $26 for adults and $15 for kids. Illinoisans can visit the museum for free on Tuesdays.

All tickets are sold out until November. December tickets will be released soon.

This weekend, events for ticketed people will include programs featuring artists, story time, and hands-on activities at the center's library branch, as well as double Dutch performances, interactive programs in the fruit and vegetable garden, and "sports and play stations" at the athletic center with mascots from Chicago's teams.

Free events include visits to the top of the museum and the public library.

And of course, you can just stroll through the beautiful grounds.

On Friday morning, as the Obama Presidential Center opens its doors to the people and the community, many of the streets and sidewalks that were closed on Thursday will be open.

Although, there will still be some traffic and sidewalk restrictions on Midway Plaisance, Dorchester, and 60th streets. ABC7 expects that many street and sidewalk closures will be lifted by 6 a.m.

Residents and visitors alike are being advised about increased traffic and should plan accordingly.

Residents and visitors alike are being advised about increased traffic and should plan accordingly.

The Chicago Police Department and the city's Office of Emergency Management and Communications are reminding everyone that security measures are still in place and may cause delays.

Meanwhile, the excitement continues as many of the thousands who attended the watch party yesterday will be some of the first from the public who gets to experience the living legacy of America's 44th president and the nation's first African American president.

City and center officials strongly urge anyone heading over to the center to take public transportation not only for Friday's public opening, but also the weekend's Juneteenth celebrations.