The event is free and open to the public.

It will be the seventh visit to Nevada this year for the former North Carolina senator and former vice presidential nominee.

Edwards' campaign is pursuing a "four-state strategy" focusing on the states that have the earliest nominating contests, including Nevada.

Late last month, while the candidate visited Reno, his wife, Elizabeth Edwards, drew a good-sized crowd for the opening of the campaign's Las Vegas office.

Dodd will be on hand to open his campaign's Las Vegas office on Thursday at 5:45 p.m. The office is at 2801 S. Valley View Blvd., No. 3, one block south of Sahara Avenue. The public is welcome.

After the office opening, the Connecticut senator will stay in Las Vegas for a private fundraiser.

On Friday, he travels to Northern Nevada, meeting with Culinary union workers in Reno in the morning; having a picnic lunch for members of the public in Carson City's Fuji Park at noon; and having a town hall meeting in Reno on Friday evening.

It will be Dodd's fourth swing through the Silver State this year.

Dodd's wife, Jackie, also has visited.