The last time a sitting president came to La Crosse was 5 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.  He didn’t make it to the party himself, but he told the audience that he has heard good things about Riverfest.  The headline performer at Riverfest that summer was country singer Dustin Lynch, performing on the 3rd.  Steve and Jill Doll were the Commodore and First Mate for the 2015 festival.   

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 bit higher than they are in 2020.  Regular was selling for $2.73 a gallon in La Crosse.  The lowest price in America was $2.44 in South Carolina, and it was up to $3.48 in Alaska, five years ago, 2015, yesterday in La Crosse.