Former President Barack Obama, joined by several other living presidents, will host a dedication ceremony for the opening of the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago on Thursday.
The Obama Foundation made the announcement in March. The ceremony will have performances from artists such as The Roots, Christina Aguilera, Bruce Springsteen, Jennifer Hudson, John Legend, Stevie Wonder, and Marc Anthony.
The center will be open to the public on June 19, ahead of a weekend of Juneteenth and America celebrations, as the country approaches its 250th anniversary.
The Obama Foundation said the center sits on about 19 acres in Jackson Park.
Notably, President Donald Trump was not included in the ceremony. People magazine confirmed his exclusion.
The center cost $850 million to build. It includes a 235-foot tower with a museum, a branch of the Chicago Public Library, and even sports courts. It was intended to function like a community center.
“As a 45,000 square-foot multipurpose athletic and events space, the Home Court features a gymnasium with a regulation-size NBA court with intersecting practice courts, flexible seating, exercise training space, and fitness equipment. This space will accommodate everything from enriching basketball and other sports programs to large events and formal banquets,” the foundation said.
Obama is a noted basketball fan.
“Visitors of all ages will be invited to explore the open campus, engage with immersive exhibits and public programs, and discover how they can make a difference in their own communities.”
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C-Span will provide coverage of the event, and confirmed former presidents George W. Bush and Bill Clinton will be attending. Programming begins at 10:15 a.m. EST.
Visitors will need to purchase tickets for the general museum. The rest of the 19-acre campus, including the library, playground, and other facilities, is free.