Biden wraps up summer with Labor Day visit to North Shores

President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden are expected to spend the coming three-day weekend at his home in North Shores. According to the White House Week Ahead Guidance and Press Schedule issued Aug. 27, the president is expected to be in town beginning Friday, Sept. 1.

As of press deadline Aug. 31, the White House hadn’t said what time Biden will be arriving locally or specifically how long he will be staying. However, in advance of his arrival, the Federal Aviation Administration issued a restricted flight area notice Aug. 30 for the airspace near his North Shores home that goes into effect at 7:15 p.m., Friday, Sept. 1, and ends at 10:30 a.m., Monday, Sept. 4.

This will be the fifth time since Father’s Day that Biden has been in town. If he’s looking to end the summer on a high note, this will be the last weekend of the summer that Funland is open while he’s in town. Funland closes for the season Monday, Sept. 11.

It appears Biden is getting a little rest and relaxation before another international trip. According to the White House, Biden is scheduled to travel Thursday, Sept. 7, to New Delhi, India, and then to Hanoi, Vietnam, the evening of Sunday, Sept. 10. Then, on Monday, Sept. 11, he will travel to Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Alaska before returning to the White House.

Updated Sept. 2: The president and first lady did not arrive Sept. 1 as originally planned. Instead, they will arrive Saturday, Sept. 2. According to Sept. 1 press release from the White House, the presidential couple will be surveying storm damage in Florida caused by Hurricane Idalia during the day Saturday and then arriving to their North Shores home late in the evening. According to the press release, they’ll arrive at Dover Air Force Base at 8:15 p.m. and then their North Shores home by 8:35 p.m.

If the Bidens aren’t interested in going to Funland, there’s always CAMP Rehoboth’s annual Sunfestival, which is taking place this weekend.

Here’s a list of security measures taken when Biden is in town:

• Gordons Pond users could see restrictions. The park’s parking lot is just around the corner from Biden’s home and is used as a landing site for Marine One.
• If Biden decides to drive, which he’s done a few times this summer, motorists on Route 1 should be prepared for delays. By road, there’s really only one way to his house – southbound on Route 1, then through Rehoboth Beach. As the presidential motorcade makes its way south, police and state personnel sit at all intersections blocking traffic.
• The FAA’s temporary flight restrictions limit use of the airspace – including drones – from Dover south to Ocean City, Md., and west to the Maryland border.
• The Coast Guard establishes security zones in the ocean area immediately in front of North Shores beach and in the Lewes-Rehoboth Canal.

Biden typically doesn’t do too much when he’s in town for these long weekends. However, he does like to ride his bike on the Gordons Pond Trail, walk on the beach near his North Shores home and attend mass at St. Edmond Catholic Church in Rehoboth Beach. If he’s seen out and about, send photos to reporter Chris Flood at cflood@capegazette.com.

Editor’s Note: This story has been updated to show a change of plans for the president and first lady.