Both presidential campaigns are pulling out all the stops with star-studded area events planned through the weekend, further underscoring the significance of Southwestern Ohio in determining the country’s 45th president.

This final push by both candidates indicates the importance of the region to the outcome of the presidential election, said Kathy Wyenandt, chair of the Butler County Democratic Party Central Committee.

A new poll released Wednesday shows President Barack Obama leading Republican Mitt Romney by 5 percentage points among likely Ohio voters but the race is a dead heat in Virginia and Florida, which are two other crucial swing states.

If the election were held today, Obama would take 50 percent of the vote to Romney’s 45 percent, according to a new poll released Wednesday by Quinnipiac University/The New York Times/CBS News.

The deadlock sets up a possible historic election night when all eyes could be on Ohio with the presidency hanging in the balance.

Wyenandt said she’s surprised, considering that this area is considered Republican-dominated, that Romney is making another last-minute campaign stop four days before the election.

“They must think it’s not a done deal for them,” she said of the Republican party. “It speaks to the fact that Ohio is not a done deal.”

David Kern, chairman of the Butler County Republican Party, declared the county a victory for Romney and said the rally will show Republicans’ “confirmed enthusiasm.”

He said the location of the rally is a “compliment to Butler County” and shows its importance in the presidential race.

Wyenandt called the rally “a last-ditch effort” to “close the deal” in Ohio.

“Ohio is not solidly in their column. They are clinging onto what they can get,” she said.

Musician Kid Rock, Olympian Scott Hamilton and golfing great Jack Nicklaus will join Romney today at The Square @ Union Center in West Chester. Gov. John Kasich, Sen. Rob Portman, John Boehner and other high profile Republicans are also expected to attend.

Meanwhile, Obama campaign events include a visit from First Lady Michelle Obama on Saturday at Miami University.

President Obama will be joined by Grammy winners Stevie Wonder and will.i.am during an event Sunday in Cincinnati.

The Romney campaign chose to host its “mega rally” in Butler County because it “is the most Republican area of Ohio,” according to West Chester Twp. trustee Catherine Stoker.

“Romney needs to win Ohio in order to win the presidency,” she said. “If Republicans want to win Ohio, this is a good spot to do it.”

Stoker said a 2004 campaign stop by George W. Bush attracted more than 50,000 people to Voice of America park. The township’s proximity to major interstates including Interstate 275 and 75 helps West Chester Twp. become a prime campaign stop.

“I am always pleased to see West Chester in the spotlight; it gives more people and companies a view of West Chester,” Stoker said.

Sgt. Matthew Tombragel with the West Chester Police Department said people should arrive early and expect long traffic delays.

The Square @ Union Centre has been closed since early Wednesday, and several road closures have been in place since Wednesday in the surrounding area.

Centre Pointe Drive is closed just west of the AK Steel/West Chester Towne Square entrance and just east of the MidPointe Library West Chester entrance. West Chester Towne Centre Drive is closed south of Centre Loop, including the roundabout, according to the township.

Sgt. Tombragel said “it’s all hands on deck” for local police officers assisting in event security.

“Our No. 1 goal is to take care of the citizens of West Chester; it’s a balancing act,” Tombragel said. “If someone calls West Chester police on Friday we’re going to be there; we won’t let the campaign stop interfere with our operations.”

In anticipation of the rally, the MidPointe Library at 9363 Centre Pointe Drive will be closing at 3 p.m. today. The library will re-open at 9 a.m. Saturday.

Some area restaurants said they are preparing for the rally but don’t expect it to increase business.

“I think it is a positive that he is going to be here,” said Paul Harrison, manager of Aladdin’s Eatery at 9344 Union Centre Blvd. “It’s been my experience in the past that usually a rally or parade or something like that doesn’t benefit the business because people are trying to get back to their cars so they can get out of the heavy traffic.”

Tom Williams, manager at Bob Evans, 9223 Schulze Drive, said the restaurant prepared heavily for a rally earlier this year, but turnout was not what he expected. He will bring in two additional employees.

Kevin Molony, owner of Mellow Mushroom Pizza Bakers, which opened in September just off Union Centre Boulevard at 9238 Floer Drive, said he was excited to hear of the rally and its extensive list of special guests.

“I’m proud to be part of a community that would be chosen for something like that,” Molony said. “I think it’s something any community should host if they can. Certainly there may be a little bit of a strain on the traffic, but why not West Chester?”

Still, Molony said he wasn’t planning to add to the typical Friday night staff of 35 employees.

“Friday nights are full anyway,” he said.

Staff writers Hannah Poturalski, Eric Schwartzberg and Skip Weaver contributed to this report.