About 7,500 people will be allowed inside the main area, Clark County Sheriff Gene Kelly said. But others will be able to stand outside the venue and look in, he said.
“Mr. Trump’s America first message is resonating in Springfield,” said Seth Unger, the Ohio communications director for Trump’s campaign, “and he’s excited to spread his vision for making America great again and to encourage local residents to get out and vote for change in November.”
At least 40 deputies will work the event, Kelly said, as well as state highway patrol to ensure everyone’s safety.
“We’re going to try to have multiple units out directing the traffic and expediting the traffic,” Kelly said, “but we expect there’ll be some congestion.”
People in the area should plan for backups, he said, especially parents and buses leaving Reid School and Shawnee High School from about 2:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Ohio 41.
“We’ll try to move it as quickly as possible,” Kelly said.
He wants drivers at that time to take alternate routes if possible. Deputies will direct traffic towards Interstate 70, he said, as well as off Laybourne Road toward Leffel Lane.
He’s hopeful the Clark-Shawnee school district will use the one-call system to notify parents of the event if it hasn’t been done already.
Kelly also wants people to prepare for security at the event.
“We’re asking people to prepare just as if they were going to an airport,” he said.
Secret Service agents will screen everyone, he said, and weapons of any kind will not be allowed.
Trump will likely discuss his agenda, which includes repealing the Affordable Care Act, as well as the importance of naming justices to the U.S. Supreme Court, said Lynda Smith, chairwoman of the Clark County Republican Party.
This is the second time in less than two weeks that the presidential race has brought major candidates to visit Springfield. Last week, Tim Kaine, the Democratic candidate for vice president, hosted a rally at the Heritage Center of Clark County, where he told voters Ohio is a critical state for both parties.
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