If you happened to be near the Visitor’s Center this morning, you might have noticed some dapper and intimidating looking folks perusing the area, and we’re not talking about tourists with floral patterned shirts and hefty digital SLRs. We’re talking Secret Service.

A little bird told us that Barack Obama will be making a visit to Philadelphia this Friday, April 18th. Apparently from 6 to 8PM, he’ll be giving a speech on the lawn outside the Visitor’s Center. This is definitely news to us, and a quick search through the interwebs reveals people planning bus trips from NYC to Philadelphia and attempting to score rides from Brooklyn for a campaign.

The event runs from 6 to 8PM and is free and open to the public. Anyone plan on going, or have any more information on this? Let us know!

In the meantime, this Phillyist plans on finding a bakery that can produce these Obama cookies last minute. They look delicious and full of hope.

Image Credit: Flickr user Steve Rhodes