Presidential candidates and their allies are using the final weekend before Election Day to make a big push for voters in Southwest Ohio.

Road closures are already in place near the West Chester Twp. site of a campaign rally Friday by Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney and running mate Paul Ryan.

The Republican hopefuls will be joined by several high-profile politicians and athletes at a rally at 7 p.m. Friday on The Square @ Union Centre.

“We have already witnessed thousands of RSVPs and we expect there to be thousands of attendees,” said Chris Maloney, Romney’s campaign spokesman. “Tickets will be available online until the event begins.”

Tickets are free, but required by visiting www.mittromney.com/OH, or stopping by any of the following locations: Liberty Twp. Victory Center, 4879 Mercedes Drive, Liberty Twp.; Lebanon Victory Center, 30 W. Main St., Lebanon; Kenwood Victory Center, 8220 Northcreek Drive, Cincinnati; Colerain Victory Center, 8240 Clara Ave., Colerain Twp.; and Friends of John Boehner, 7908 Cincinnati-Dayton Road, Suite I, West Chester Twp.

Gates will open at 4:30 p.m. and the event will begin around 7 p.m.

First Lady Michelle Obama will speak to supporters Saturday at Miami University.

The First Lady will speak about what’s at stake in this election for Ohioans and ask them to help get out the vote between now and Election Day, according to a press release from the Obama campaign.

Gates will open at 11:30 a.m. at Withrow Court at Miami University, 201 Tallawanda Road.

Tickets are free, but required due to limited space. Tickets will be available to the public starting on a first-come, first-served basis at 10 a.m. Friday at 32 W. Walnut St., Oxford, and 112 N. 2nd St., Hamilton.

President Barack Obama will campaign Sunday in Cincinnati, his campaign announced Wednesday evening.

Locations and times had not yet been released late Wednesday evening.

The president was scheduled to visit Duke Energy Convention Center on Wednesday, but canceled due to Hurricane Sandy.

Anyone attending the Romney/Ryan rally Friday should expect to go through airport-like security and should bring as few personal items as possible, according to the campaign. No bags, sharp objects, umbrellas, liquids, or signs will be allowed in the venue. Cameras are permitted.

“Show up early and expect delays in traffic, parking and getting inside the event,” said Sgt. Matthew Tombragel with the West Chester Police Department.

The Square @ Union Centre has been closed since early Wednesday, and several road closures have been in place since Wednesday in the surrounding area.

Centre Pointe Drive is closed just west of the AK Steel/West Chester Towne Square entrance and just east of the MidPointe Library West Chester entrance. West Chester Towne Centre Drive is closed south of Centre Loop, including the roundabout, according to the township.

Sgt. Tombragel said “it’s all hands on deck” Friday for local police officers assisting in event security.

“Our No. 1 goal is to take care of the citizens of West Chester; it’s a balancing act,” Tombragel said. “If someone calls West Chester police on Friday we’re going to be there; we won’t let the campaign stop interfere with our operations.”

In anticipation of the rally, the MidPointe Library at 9363 Centre Pointe Drive will be closing at 3 p.m. Friday. The library will re-open at 9 a.m. Saturday.

“We will attempt to stay open as late as possible, but our closing time will be based upon the recommendations of the Secret Service,” said Anita Carroll, director of MidPointe Library System.