A pre-4th visit by the president, 3 years ago

On July 2nd of 2015, President Barack Obama spoke at UW-La Crosse, in the Recreational Eagle Center.  It was Obama’s only visit to the city during his eight years in the White House, but it continued a tradition of presidents…past, present, and future…making speeches on the university campus, dating back to John F. Kennedy in 1959.  Obama’s stop in La Crosse fell during the city’s 4th of July festival, but he didn’t make it to the party himself, but he told the audience that he has heard good things about Riverfest.  His previous visit to La Crosse had been in 2008, during Oktoberfest.
 
The headline performer at Riverfest that summer was country singer Dustin Lynch, performing on the 3rd.  On the north side of La Crosse, a popular restaurant would close before the year was over.  Edwardo’s on Rose Street would shut down after a total of 55 years in business in different locations.
 
Gas prices for that 4th of July were a little lower than they are this year.  Regular was selling for $2.73 a gallon in La Crosse.  The lowest price in America was $2.44 in South Carolina.  It was up to $3.48 in Alaska.  Pain at the pump three years ago, 2015, yesterday in La Crosse.