KENNEBUNKPORT – When President Bush comes to town Thursday, Leann Smith plans to set up the lawn chair, bring out the binoculars and spend the day with her boyfriend gawking at the first family’s compound.

“It is sooooo intriguing, fascinating, exciting and exhilarating,” said Smith of Manchester, N.H.

The president’s four-day visit is the first time Kennebunkport has been host of a sitting president since Bush’s father was president and the family home in Kennebunkport became the summer White House.

Even before President George W. Bush’s arrival, tourists were lining up on Ocean Avenue to catch a glimpse of the family’s three-story, stone-and-shingle home overlooking the ocean. More were expected Thursday.

The last time he came to Kennebunkport was in June 2000, when he and his siblings converged for a birthday party for their mother.

This time, he will be in Kennebunkport for his own birthday – he turns 55 on Friday.

White House officials expect the president to stay close to the family grounds, unlike his father who is often spotted playing golf or fishing in his cigarette boat, Fidelity.

The town, a wealthy enclave with a mix of lobster boats and expansive summer homes, has warm feelings for the Bushes.

The former president has spent at least part of every summer since childhood here, except when he was in the Navy during World War II. Locals have watched George W. and the other Bush children grow up.

“Everyone knows the drill,” said Steve Kingston, owner of The Clam Shack, a popular takeout seafood restaurant, where years ago the president ate fried food and where secret service agents still order lobster rolls.

The Secret Service detail has security arrangements in place that date to the elder Bush’s 12 years as vice president and president.

“We’ve done this before,” said James Pollard, special agent in charge. “It’s established and well under control. The Coast Guard, the Navy, the president’s detail, the former president’s detail, we’re all in sync.”

Police Chief Robert Sullivan also knows what to expect with the president in town over the busy Fourth of July week: “It’ll be a madhouse.”

At least 62 members of the White House press corps are making the trip, but they won’t be staying where reporters camped out during the previous Bush administration. That hotel, the Shawmut, has been razed.

Across town, there was a buzz on the streets before the arrival of the first family, along with former President Bush, Florida Gov. Jeb Bush and other family members.

“Not many small towns get to brag that there are two presidents in residence,” said Jim Dumont, who works at The Clam Shack.

Already there were four flags flying at the compound: the U.S. flag and the flags of Maine, Florida and Texas, where the president served as governor.

Jim Solomon, a lifelong Democrat from Brookline, Mass., decided to spend three days in the area to see what all the fuss was about.

“People had never heard of Kennebunkport until Bush became president,” he said. “Bush has put it on the map.”

Kim Quillen of Kokomo, Ind., was so thrilled to be standing near the Bush compound earlier in the week that she got out her cellphone and called her daughter back home.

“I shrieked, ‘Guess where I’m standing?’ and when she heard she said, ‘No way, Mom!”‘ Quillen said.