Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama is coming to Roanoke on Friday.

Obama will hold a 12:30 p.m. rally at the Roanoke Civic Center coliseum, appearing with U.S. Sen. Jim Webb.

Doors will open at 10 a.m. The event is free and open to the public on a first-come, first served basis, but Obama's campaign is recommending that those who plan to attend RSVP at va.barackobama.com.

Because of limited parking at the civic center, the campaign is urging people to car pool or use public transportation if possible.

This will be Obama's seventh campaign appearance in Virginia since the primary season, and the first visit to Roanoke by either major-party presidential candidate.

Obama and Republican John McCain are in a neck and neck race for Virginia's 13 electoral votes.

McCain campaigned in Virginia Beach earlier this week and is scheduled to appear in Prince William County on Saturday. A Republican official said the time and venue for that event isn't set

McCain's campaign said earlier this week that the Republican may make a trip to Southwest Virginia in the closing weeks of the campaign, but no campaign stops in the region had been planned.

-- Michael Sluss