By Katie Redefer

REHOBOTH BEACH — Planning to enjoy an ice cream cone by the Rehoboth Beach Boardwalk this week? You could run into the president of the United States.

President Joseph R. Biden paid his first visit to the Delaware beaches this week since he was sworn into office in January. He is staying at his $2.7 million North Shores beach home until Friday to celebrate first lady Jill Biden’s 70th birthday, which was on Thursday.

Most locals and tourists in Rehoboth expressed excitement toward President Biden’s visit, while some visitors said they hadn’t heard he was in town. Others said they would make a note to visit their favorite Biden-spotting locations in town, like Browseabout Books on Rehoboth Avenue or Gordons Pond Trail in the southernmost part in Cape Henlopen  State Park.

The president and first lady were, in fact, spotted biking near the Gordons Pond entrance mid-Thursday afternoon. Some onlookers even sang “Happy Birthday” to the first lady.

Jim and Beth Hamelin, visiting Rehoboth from northern Virginia, were staying at the Boardwalk Plaza Hotel Wednesday evening when they saw President Biden landing at Gordon’s Pond from their hotel room.

“If we run into him, I’ll buy him a drink. [President Biden’s] got the hardest job in the country,” Mr. Hamelin said. “Sure, he might interrupt your dinner plans sometimes by being here. But he’s one of the best guys to have around.”

On Thursday’s mild and cloudy afternoon, a decent flock of tourists and locals spent their day perusing local stores on Rehoboth Avenue and Boardwalk. Most said they were enjoying the calm beach day before the inevitable boom of tourism hits Rehoboth in the coming week. Some were a bit surprised President Biden’s visit wasn’t causing more commotion, at least in regard to the traffic.

“We had talked about it, like wondering if [the traffic] was going to be an issue. But thankfully we’re here, and it hasn’t been a problem,” said Jackie Lessing of Bethany Beach, who was enjoying ice cream on the Boardwalk with her family.

“I think the Delaware shore is underappreciated and [President Biden] will bring more attention to this area, which will have both good and bad caveats,” Gary Lessing added.

Visiting from Sarasota, Florida, Jim Meister said he is a registered Republican who voted for President Biden. He wished the president a safe visit while he’s in town.

“My concern, in this crazy day and age we live in, is for his safety,” he said. “But I’m certain he’s got the proper protections in place.”

Kevin and Denise Dwyer of Millville also said they saw minimal traffic when driving into Rehoboth on Thursday morning.

Ahead of the presidential visit, the Federal Aviation Administration issued a temporary flight restriction for most airspace between Dover and Ocean City, Maryland from 5:45 p.m. Wednesday to 11:30 a.m., Friday.

President Biden touched down via helicopter at the Gordons Pond parking lot Wednesday evening. On Tuesday, the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control said the Gordons Pond beaches and parking lots would be closed Thursday and today. However, Secret Service stationed at the entrance on Ocean Drive were allowing visitors to enter the park early Thursday afternoon. Secret Service also closed off streets inside North Shores near President Biden’s home.

“I think it’s great that they’re coming down to their place,” said Ann Marie Bracken of Milton. “I hope they can enjoy some time without people being all over them, so they can have a little bit of privacy.”

Although most people in Rehoboth seem comfortable with the Bidens’ presence, not everyone is happy about it. That can be exemplified through the heated debates in the comments of local Facebook groups, and the Donald Trump merchandise that can be spotted inside Rehoboth Avenue and Boardwalk T-shirt shops.

But, President Biden’s local supporters couldn’t be more thrilled.

“[President Biden] has done so much for our country already, I mean look at how he’s handling COVID,” said Alan Spiegelman of Ocean View. “He looks and acts like a president when the one before him did not. When he stands at the podium to give a speech, the connection he makes with his audience is incredible.”