EVERETT — There will be no shortage of enthusiasm when the Trump Train arrives at the Xfinity Arena in downtown Everett on Tuesday.
Parking spaces, on the other hand, will be scarce. And those driving in the immediate area will need patience to cope with detours around closed streets, or the foresight to park and walk a bit of a distance.
Several thousand people are expected to be on hand for the 7 p.m. campaign rally of Donald Trump, the Republican presidential nominee. Another crowd will be outside to protest his appearance.
Arlington’s Jim Brown, 73, and his wife Mary intend to be inside. They had their tickets Tuesday as they chatted about their choice at the Snohomish County Republican Party booth at the Evergreen State Fair.
“He’s not the status quo,” Jim Brown said as nearby other supporters snatched up Trump yard signs and buttons, and posed for pictures alongside a cardboard cut-out of the presidential candidate.
Doors to the event are set to open at 4 p.m. with the program getting underway at 7 p.m.
Entrance is on a first come, first serve basis. Having a ticket does not guarantee you will get in, because there will be more tickets distributed than available seats, campaign officials have said.
Those with tickets can start lining up early. In May, when Trump came to Lynden, people queued up at 6 a.m. for the 3 p.m. event. An estimated 5,000 people made it inside.
Here are some things the campaign — and the Secret Service — wants you to know if you are going inside.
There is no dress code and identification is not required to get in. But be prepared to go through airport style security screening. To speed things up, leave bags and backpacks at home.
Posters, banners, and signs are banned. Professional cameras with a detachable lens are not allowed. Do not bring tripods, monopods, selfie sticks, or GoPros because they are not permitted either. Firearms are not allowed in the arena or on the sidewalk, according to the city.
Several streets surrounding the arena will be closed to through traffic. Closures are expected to be in place by mid-day, city officials said, and include parts of Hewitt Avenue, Wall Street, Oakes Avenue, Lombard Avenue and Broadway.
If people do not need to be in that area of the city they should avoid it, said Everett spokeswoman Meghan Pembroke. If they do need to be in the area, they should pack plenty of patience, she said. The city also will have designated areas for protesters to keep sidewalk traffic moving. A parking map is available at www.downtowneverettwa.org/parking-map.
Democratic Party leaders are organizing a demonstration against Trump’s visit. Opponents of the Republican candidate will gather from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. in Clark Park on Lombard Avenue where they will hear various speakers. They will then march the short distance to the arena.
Everett Mayor Ray Stephanson, state Sen. John McCoy, D-Tulalip, and state Rep. June Robinson, D-Everett, are among those expected to speak. So too is Larry Brown, legislative and political director for the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers District Lodge 751.
Meanwhile, it will be business-as-usual for several businesses situated near the arena.
Everett Physical Therapy, a sports physical therapy practice located on the Hewitt Avenue side of the building, intends to keep its regular hours of 7 a.m.-6 p.m.
“A lot of our patients are pretty much aware,” said Inessa Pasko, the clinic manager. “They’re not canceling their appointments.”
Across the street at Brooklyn Bros. Pizzeria, they’re prepping for a busy day.
Alex Brittain, who works as the oven manager there, said extra food and dough have been ordered in anticipation that Tuesday’s crowd could be larger than what they deal with from Silvertips games and concerts.
“We’re trying to look forward to it and have fun with it,” Brittain said. “Most of the staff is showing up really early in the day.”
Lucky Handa, the owner of Curry Bistro Cuisine of India, said he was on vacation in Montana until Monday. One of his employees called him to tell him Trump was coming to town.
“It was way too short notice to make any changes,” Handa said. He still plans to open the restaurant, but serve an abbreviated menu in anticipation of crowds.
Trump’s exact travel routes have not been disclosed. Drivers should keep an eye on social media to avoid any potential impacts to Highway 526 or I-5.
The GOP candidate is reportedly holding a fundraiser at a Snohomish County location before the event. The location has not been disclosed.
Invitations sent out weeks ago said the fundraiser would be in Seattle. Supporters say it won’t be in Seattle or Bellevue but a site closer to the arena. His campaign team would not confirm any details about the money-raising event.
After the rally, Trump is expected to travel to Arizona where he’s said he will make a major speech on immigration Wednesday.
This is Trump’s third public rally in Washington this campaign. He held events in Lynden and Spokane on May 7.
Clinton has held no rallies on a similar-scale. In March, she did come to Everett where she addressed several hundred people squeezed into the Machinists Hall.
Herald reporters Rikki King, Chris Winters and Julie Muhlstein contributed to this story.
Jerry Cornfield: 360-352-8623; jcornfield@heraldnet.com Twitter: @dospueblos.
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