Clinton, Obama, surrogates returning to NC

Sens. Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, as well as their surrogates, are planning campaign visits to the state as the Tuesday primary nears.

Both candidates are expected to attend the state Democratic Party's Jefferson-Jackson Dinner on Saturday night at Dorton Arena in Raleigh. Tickets for the fund-raising event are sold out.

Also according to the campaigns:

- Clinton and daughter Chelsea Clinton will be in the state Friday. Their schedules have not yet been announced.

- Obama will hold a rally at Cricket Arena in Charlotte on Friday. Doors open at 3:30 p.m., and the event starts at 5:30 p.m. Tickets are required and are available for free at www.nc.barackobama.com.

- Michelle Obama will appear at a get-out-the-vote event Friday in Durham. The program starts at 12:30 p.m. at the Durham Armory, 220 Foster St. Doors open at 11:30 a.m. She is also scheduled to atttend a rally with singer Gladys Knight at UNC-Asheville. Doors open at 4:30 p.m.

The events are free and open to the public, but tickets are required. To receive a ticket by e-mail, go to www.nc.barackobama.com.

Tickets for the Durham event also are available until 7 p.m. today at a table outside the Durham Athletic Park at Corporation and Morris streets.

- Clinton supporters in Johnston County plan a "Hillary Fest" at 5:30 p.m. today at the Durwood Stephenson Center in Smithfield.

Speakers will include Judith McHale, former president and chief executive of Discovery Communications Inc., which owns the Discovery TV channel; Elizabeth Bagley, former ambassador to Portugal; and First Lady Mary Easley.

There will also be a Hillary Clinton look-a-like contest for children ages 5-12.