Coastal Carolina University staff is busy preparing for a visit from Democratic presidential candidate U.S. Sen. Barack Obama scheduled for Thursday at Kimbel Gymnasium. Doors open at 6 p.m.

Free tickets for CCU students, faculty and staff are available at Wheelwright Box Office Monday through Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Free tickets are also available at the following locations during specific hours:

- Horry County Democratic Party, 900 4th Ave., Conway, Monday, Aug. 20 through Thursday, Aug. 23 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Phone: 843-601-6058

- Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, 1200 North Oak St., Monday, Aug. 20 through Thursday, Aug. 23 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., 843-626-7444

- Sandy Grove Missionary Baptist Church, 1008 Carver St., Myrtle Beach, Monday, Aug. 20 and Wednesday, Aug. 22 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.; Tuesday, Aug. 21 and Thursday, Aug. 23 from 1 to 6 p.m., 843-448-3281

- African Imports Barbershop, 2605 4th Ave., Conway, Monday, Aug. 20 through Thursday, Aug. 23 from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., 843-246-4330

- G&L Beauty and Barber, 1612 4th Avenue Suite C, Conway, Tuesday, Aug. 21 through Thursday, Aug. 23 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., 843-248-7156

- Remcare Plaza, 500 North Main St., Marion, Monday, Aug. 20 through Thursday, Aug. 23 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., 843-423-9998

- Obama for America Pee Dee Regional HQ, 466 West Cheves, Florence, Monday, Aug. 20 through Thursday, Aug. 23 from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., 843-662-2408

This is Obama's first visit to the Grand Strand, but second visit to the Pee Dee area. In April, he held a town hall meeting in Florence