JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – President Barack Obama's visited Jacksonville on Saturday for a wedding in the city's Avondale neighborhood, the White House confirmed Friday. A source who was working the event told News4Jax President Obama was the best man, and Secretary of State John Kerry officiated the wedding.
Helen Pajcic, the daughter of prominent Jacksonville attorney and former gubernatorial candidate Steve Pajcic, is marrying Marvin Nicholson, the White House travel director.
Nicholas and President Obama appear to have a close relationship. A photo posted to the White House Flickr account shows the President playing a practical joke on Nicholson. Obama is seen trying to throw off a scale that Nicholson was standing on. It was named one of the best photos of Obama's presidency by Business Insider.
Air Force One arrived at 5:50 p.m. at Jacksonville International Airport and is slated to depart at 7:35 p.m., according to the travel itinerary released by the White House.
"This is just a private event and the president is looking forward it," a White House spokesperson said.
According to a media report. President Obama and Secretary of State John Kerry were seen at a conference table on the plane, watching the Houston Texans and Oakland Raiders play in an AFC wild-card game.
The wedding was scheduled for 6 p.m. at a private residence in Avondale. President Obama departed from the Jacksonville International Airport on Air Force One just before 8 p.m.
Before he was elected president in 2008, then-Senator Obama held his first presidential campaign fundraiser at Steve Pajcic's Avondale home.
Obama visited Jacksonville several times during the campaigns leading up to and during the course of his presidency.
Obama was last in Jacksonville to campaign for Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton at the University of North Florida in November.
The government pays for the use of Air Force One and Secret Service protection for the president's personal travel, but while on vacation, the First Family covers their own hotel, food and other expenses.
Neighborhood Excitement
People lined up on Montgomery Road in Avondale Saturday night, awaiting the arrival of President Obama's motorcade.
A group of children were seen holding up a sign that read, "Thank you, Obama!"
Patrol cars blocked access to the street, where the wedding was being held at a private residence.
Neighbors are excited about the President's visit.
"I saw something on Facebook and I saw that President Obama was coming here not only to Jacksonville but to our neighborhood," said Inga Makarenko.
Other neighbors can't wait to hear about the wedding from their friends who were in attendance. "We know some friends that are going and are friends with some of the Pajcic family and we're excited for them. A wedding is a big day. It's a special day," said neighbor Amy Gay.
Not even political affiliation stopped the crowds from lining up. "We are big Trump supporters but regardless you never have an incident here where you have the President coming to your neighborhood," said Don Rushlow.