What you need to know about President Trump’s visit to Columbia
President Donald Trump is set to make a stop in Columbia Thursday for the Make America Great Again rally.
According to the City of Columbia, only ticketed passengers or people dropping off or picking up passengers will be allowed to park at the airport. As for rally parking, multiple roads near the airport will be closed off.
“There is no rally parking permitted in any of the parking lots at Columbia Regional Airport, and parking is not permitted on Airport Drive from State Route H to East Angel Lane. There is also no parking on East Angel Lane between Airport Drive and U.S. Highway 63. Beginning at 8 a.m. on Nov. 1, Airport Drive will be closed to all traffic from the southernmost entrance to the airport terminal to the northernmost entrance of the General Mail Facility. Vehicles in violation of parking prohibitions will be ticketed and towed at the owner’s expense,” according to a press release sent from the City of Columbia.
“According to rally organizers, rally parking will be available at the Cartwright Business and Technology Park located on the southeast corner of U.S. Highway 63 and Route H. Attendees should enter the parking area via State Route H. Shuttles will transport attendees to the rally,” the release said. “There is ADA parking available at the Cartwright Business and Technology Park. Shuttles between the hangar and Cartwright Business Park are scheduled to be available by 8 a.m. on Nov. 1. Gates to the rally will open at 3 p.m. “
City spokesperson Steve Sapp said Route H can be accessed from the east or west, which means Rangeline Rd. and Highway 63 will likely experience heavy traffic Thursday. The Mayor of Ashland said cars will likely be able to park in the field at Cartwright, but that will depend on the rain.
Sapp said the Columbia Police Department, airport security and other law enforcement agencies will assist in security under the direction of the Secret Service but those details haven’t been released. ABC 17 News has confirmed that the Secret Service has looked into a number of places around Columbia ahead of the president’s arrival.
Officials have said there could be anywhere from 5,000 to 15,000 people attending. Sapp said it’s unclear if people will be turned away, but said there may be an overflow area.
Doors will open at 3:30 p.m. and the president will arrive at 6:30 p.m. The rally will be held in Hangar 350 at Columbia Regional Airport.
According to donaldjtrump.com, ticket holders are not allowed to bring in posters, banners, or signs inside the event. There is no dress code. No professional cameras with a detachable lens are permitted, no tripods, monopods, selfie sticks or GoPros. ID is not required for entry.
The president is in Fort Myers, Florida, Wednesday night, before his arrival in Columbia on Thursday. According to local media reports in Fort Myers, security and other event details have also been tight-lipped.
