Question for Obama supporters that have been to a rally

[mohc]

I will be going to the Obama rally in Sunrise, FL today to get my first in person glimpse at Obama. The doors open at 2:00 PM and the actual rally will begin at 3:30 PM. I have heard about the massive lines that have formed for some of the previous rallies, and was wondering if anyone here had any experience with them. The venue holds about 22k people in concert formats which is what I assume they will use today. I would not be surprised if it ends up being a capacity crowd and its first come first serve basis. How early should I try to get there? My current plan is to leave here around 11:00 AM, which should get me there a little before 12:00 noon (I live in Palm Beach County).

[Avalux]

1. I'd get there at 11 or even earlier.

Seriously. I attended an event here in San Antonio; doors opened at noon, we got there at 10 and almost didn't get in. It was a smaller venue but I'd expect about the same or even worse at this stage of the game. Take bottled water and a sack lunch with you cause you'll be in line for awhile.

Have a great time! :hi:

[mohc]

6. It will probably take a ton of bottled water

It will be 95° today in Florida, and it is usually much more humid close to the swamp where Sunrise is. This is the reason I wanted to minimize the time I was in line, but if 2 hours early still risks not getting in I will leave as early as I can. Thanks for the advice and I am sure I will have a great time. :hi:

[tekisui]

2. Make a day of it, and go as early as you can.

Bring a camp chair to wait in line, and maybe a book.

[Lena inRI]

3. You're already late. . .

. . . LOL. . .just kidding ;-). . .

but seriously, it's the traffic and parking issues that eat up the time.

For me, the RI venue was smaller than the Sunrise BankAtlanic Center and RI was last March whereas now Obama has a much stronger crowd pull. . .

You're good to go at 11:00 AM IF there is traffic flow on I-95 AND enough parking. . .

AND bring water to drink while you're in line!

I was so impressed with how Barack spoke to us FIRST who were rejected from the field house due to full capacity. . .he really RESPECTS his supporters.

Enjoy and I wish I could be there with ya!
:hi: :kick: :hi: :kick: :hi:

[Barack_America]

9. I agree with this, but would add...

When you get into the stadium, suck it up and go for the floor, even if it means you have to stand.

Have fun! :applause:

[mohc]

10. Yikes!

I will probably be using the Sawgrass Expressway which has an exit for the BAC, so I will pretty much be using the highway the entire way there. Parking however will be a problem, but I am used to the parking issues from going to the occasional Panthers game. Hopefully I will get there in time. :hi:

[lojasmo]

4. I'd get there at nine

Camp chair, ipod, book, and a pickanic basket. (beer and cooler optional)

[mohc]

11. Hmm

That gives me about 2 minutes...I guess I should stop typing and just leave...

[nancyr]

5. I waited in line for 5 hours.

[mod mom]

7. I've worked rallies for the Obama campaign (good suggestion for the future)

We usually have to be there early and there are always long lines when we get there (for example we had to be there at 9:30 for a 1 pm event). I spoke w one elderly man who said there was a line at 7 am for an 1pm event.

[JTFrog]

8. People actually lined up at 5:30 am in a little town called Plainfield Indiana.

We showed up about an hour early and had a bit of a wait, but security was great and they got people right in and seated. They had about double the people show up as tickets they gave away online, but they were able to squeeze us all in :)

That was a couple months ago.

When he came to Indy this month, that was much more massive lol. We parked at a friend's place about a mile away and just walked.

[mmonk]

12. Early as possible.

You can think you were there in plenty of time and still have a large line in front of you. Get there 2 1/2 to 3 hours before the door opens minimum.

[RoadRage]

13. Well.. in Feb. for the rally in Omaha, NE

It was suppose to start at 5pm. We got there around 2:30pm, and the line was already 6 blocks long. The venue holds about 10,000 people - and we were the last quarter to get in the door. And, this is little Omaha, NE - republican central with a "smaller" population.

I'd probaly leave around 9 or 10 (so like.. um.. now). Worst case- you get a REALLY good seat!

[DevonRex]

14. Folks in Denver lined up before 5:00 a.m. for a venue that opened

the doors at 9:00 for a 10:00 rally. There were 2 lines for the public, 1 for precinct captains. The 2 lines each stretched over a half mile long (when I last saw them), winding around buildings and down side streets. And this was in bitterly cold temperatures.

Parking may be the hardest part. We had to park a mile away in a no parking zone. Thankfully we didn't get towed or even ticketed and the neighborhood closest to the event had Obama signs all over the place, so nobody complained.

[mmonk]

15. Question. Do you have an email ticket or the like?

[mohc]

17. I RSVPd on barackobama.com

And received email confirmation of my sign up, but it does not appear to be a ticket. Even though I am signed up, I believe entrance is still first come first served, no guaranteed entrance.

[mmonk]

19. Take the email confirmation with you.

In NC, you couldn't get in without it (though it may be different for you).

[mohc]

16. OK

Thanks to everyone that replied. I will be heading out just as soon as my girlfriend is ready to go and hopefully we will have no trouble getting in. I've got to be one of the palest men in South Florida so I am not looking forward to the sun and heat standing in line, but I am sure it will be worth the wait. I'll try to take some pictures and share them here when I get home.

:hi:

[crispini]

18. Take sunscreen!

and a hat!

Good luck. I waited 7 hours to see him. It was excellent.

[stillcool]

20. Happy trails!.....

Haven't been to a rally myself, but I love hearing about DU'ers experiences. I look forward to reading about yours!