STAFFORD -- The University of Mary Washington's Stafford campus employees found jobseekers already parking their cars at 6:15 a.m. Monday morning.
Sen. Mark Warner's office announced that he would host a Federal Job Fair from 9 a.m. until noon about one week prior.
However, by Friday more than 3,000 Virginians had pre-registered to attend. So the event was extended until 4 p.m.
But when the senator's staff arrived they found that the crowd had grown.
Virginia State troopers were called to help direct traffic as major delays were reported on roads leading to the university.
In addition to Stafford and Prince William County residents, some jobseekers traveled from as far as Norfolk, Richmond, Lynchburg and Loudon County.
Despite the lines and long wait to get inside the building, the crowd was in an upbeat mood. Most took the opportunity to network and compare notes on other job fairs they had attended.
Warner arrived about 9:30 a.m. and stopped to greet those in line.
John Gambrino, a north Stafford resident who recently retired from the Marine Corps after 24 years, lightheartedly asked Warner, "Can I give you my resumé, senator?"
With a good natured laugh, Warner responded, "You'll get more benefit leaving it with the agencies inside."
However he allowed that he has a slight economic edge on many others that are unemployed. "I'm on terminal leave," he said. "So I at least continue to get paid until April 30."
Though 43 agencies had registered, several were not able to attend the event.
Since the agencies had originally signed up to be on site for only three hours, many had to quickly adapt to cover the additional hours.
Job seekers were also informed of Rep. Rob Wittman's, R-1st, job fair scheduled at the same location March 22 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The event will have representatives from the private sector as well as the government.
Due to the massive response, Parikh said Warner's office is planning to conduct another job fair in the near future. Details will be available on the senator's Web site at: http://warner.senate.gov.
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