GOP Rally Expects Big, Early Crowd
Posted: October 4, 2012
HARRISONBURG — People planning to attend today’s Mitt Romney rally at the Augusta Expoland in Fishersville are advised to arrive hours early to nab prime viewing spots.
Gates open at 4 p.m. for the 6 p.m. event at 277 Expo Road. But John Scott, Expoland’s general manager, expects a line to get into the rally to form as early as noon.
“If everybody came at 4 o’clock,” he said, “there will be delays.”
Scott adds that Expoland has but one way in and out.
Romney, the Republican nominee for president, will be joined on stage by his running mate, Paul Ryan, and country music singer Trace Adkins.
Adkins is expected to perform to kick off the event, followed by speeches from Ryan and Romney, and then another Adkins set to close out the rally. As of Wednesday afternoon, no other speakers had been announced, but that was still subject to change.
When Ryan visited the Rockingham County Fairgrounds last month, several local elected officials spoke to the 3,100 people in attendance before the presidential candidate took the stage.
Del. Steve Landes, R-Weyers Cave, will attend the Fishersville rally, but isn’t expected to speak. Sen. Emmett Hanger, R-Mount Solon, said he has a meeting in Richmond that may prevent him from attending, adding that he wasn’t sure if he would be asked to talk.
Sixth District Rep. Bob Goodlatte, R-Roanoke, said he intends to participate, but did not know in what capacity.
Like the Ryan rally, today’s event will have airportlike security. No bags, sharp objects, umbrellas, liquids or signs are allowed. Cameras are permitted.
The event area is outside and will be standing room only, though a handicap section with seating will be available. In an overflow section on a hill outside the gates — and not subject to security — chairs are permitted.
The rally section can hold 5,000 people, and the overflow portion is large enough to handle however many others attend, Scott said.
“It is sufficient and actually pretty nice,” he said, adding that the stage is within view.
Tickets to the event will be available at Expoland today. They are free, but required.
Also, tickets are available at www.mittromney.com/states/virginia or the Harrisonburg GOP office at 182 Neff Ave.
President Barack Obama’s campaign staff in Virginia will not hold a press event as a response to the rally, a spokesman said. The day of Ryan’s rally in Rockingham County, the Democratic Party of Virginia asked Harrisonburg Mayor Richard Baugh to speak at the fairgrounds entrance to counter the Republican ticket’s message.
Virginia is one of a handful of swing states that both campaigns have focused on winning, proven by Obama and Romney making several stops each in the commonwealth. Obama will be in Fairfax on Friday.
Election Day is Nov. 6.
Contact Preston Knight at 574-6272 or pknight@dnronline.com
Gates open at 4 p.m. for the 6 p.m. event at 277 Expo Road. But John Scott, Expoland’s general manager, expects a line to get into the rally to form as early as noon.
“If everybody came at 4 o’clock,” he said, “there will be delays.”
Scott adds that Expoland has but one way in and out.
Romney, the Republican nominee for president, will be joined on stage by his running mate, Paul Ryan, and country music singer Trace Adkins.
Adkins is expected to perform to kick off the event, followed by speeches from Ryan and Romney, and then another Adkins set to close out the rally. As of Wednesday afternoon, no other speakers had been announced, but that was still subject to change.
When Ryan visited the Rockingham County Fairgrounds last month, several local elected officials spoke to the 3,100 people in attendance before the presidential candidate took the stage.
Del. Steve Landes, R-Weyers Cave, will attend the Fishersville rally, but isn’t expected to speak. Sen. Emmett Hanger, R-Mount Solon, said he has a meeting in Richmond that may prevent him from attending, adding that he wasn’t sure if he would be asked to talk.
Sixth District Rep. Bob Goodlatte, R-Roanoke, said he intends to participate, but did not know in what capacity.
Like the Ryan rally, today’s event will have airportlike security. No bags, sharp objects, umbrellas, liquids or signs are allowed. Cameras are permitted.
The event area is outside and will be standing room only, though a handicap section with seating will be available. In an overflow section on a hill outside the gates — and not subject to security — chairs are permitted.
The rally section can hold 5,000 people, and the overflow portion is large enough to handle however many others attend, Scott said.
“It is sufficient and actually pretty nice,” he said, adding that the stage is within view.
Tickets to the event will be available at Expoland today. They are free, but required.
Also, tickets are available at www.mittromney.com/states/virginia or the Harrisonburg GOP office at 182 Neff Ave.
President Barack Obama’s campaign staff in Virginia will not hold a press event as a response to the rally, a spokesman said. The day of Ryan’s rally in Rockingham County, the Democratic Party of Virginia asked Harrisonburg Mayor Richard Baugh to speak at the fairgrounds entrance to counter the Republican ticket’s message.
Virginia is one of a handful of swing states that both campaigns have focused on winning, proven by Obama and Romney making several stops each in the commonwealth. Obama will be in Fairfax on Friday.
Election Day is Nov. 6.
Contact Preston Knight at 574-6272 or pknight@dnronline.com