President Donald Trump is visiting Orlando this Tuesday, June 18 to host a rally at the Amway Center to announce his campaign for his second term presidential run.
If you didn’t know that yet, welcome to the internet.
The event will kick-off with a day-long street festival outside the arena starting at 10 a.m. and is expected to last roughly seven hours leading up to the main event which starts inside at 8 p.m. The street event will feature screens to watch the stage show inside if you didn’t manage to secure a seat, food trucks, and a free concert featuring Houston-based band The Guzzlers (Facebook | Website).
President Trump has announced via Twitter that there have been over 100,000 requests online for tickets at the 20,000 seat arena, but that claim can only be confirmed with the president’s campaign offices as they are controlling the ticket sales, not the arena.
You can click HERE for more information on the event or to register for tickets but they do not guarantee entry to the event as it is first-come, first-serve. Doors for the rally open at 4 p.m.
Transportation to the event is expected to be, well, a clustercuss. The Florida Department of Transportation has just announced that they will add additional SunRail trains on the evening of the event to help ease the traffic downtown. SunRail will operate on a normal schedule through 10 p.m. after which there will be three more trains added, all departing from Church Street Station.
- Northbound – 10:15 p.m., 10:30 p.m., and 10:45 p.m.
- Southbound – 10 p.m., 10:15 p.m., and 10:45 p.m.
LYNX and LYMMO will operate normal hours on Tuesday, June 18 but riders should expect route detours and delays. Click HERE for up-to-date information.
As we told you last week, a number of downtown areas will be closed to traffic for the event and City officials have also announced that the I-4 westbound South Street on-ramp will also be closed by 2 p.m. that same day. Other streets will begin closing as early as 9 a.m. Closures are being led by the Secret Service in cooperation with the Orlando Police Department and further closures will be implemented as-needed throughout the day.
Protesters will be gathering at Stonewall Bar, 741 W. Church Street [GMap], just up the street. The “Win With Love Rally” is scheduled to begin at 5 p.m. and last through 7:30 p.m. and is being spearheaded by Pulse survivor Brandon Wolf.
The protest will feature speeches from politicians, activists, and notables from across the state as well as an appearance by the infamous “Trump Baby” blimp that garnered headlines after its debut in Parliament Square in London, England.
Attendees to the protest will not be allowed to carry large bags or backpacks, to wear masks, or to carry sticks for their signs or banners.
Parking for both events will be tight and those heading downtown on this day are suggested to use rideshare or to ride a bike. Those who must drive a vehicle can make use of the parking garages listed in the map below. Your best bet will be to park near Lake Eola and to take a Lime/HOPR bike to your destination.
Protesters who require ADA parking can make use of a special event-specific ADA lot on South Lee Avenue and West Church Street.
The protest rally is being advertised as non-violent and will be barricaded around the site for added protection. Violent behavior will not be permitted, according to event officials.
Obviously, there will also be an increased police presence in the area as well.
Whichever event you attend, Bungalower would like to ask everyone to keep their sticks on the ice and play nice. The eyes of the nation will be on The City Beautiful this Tuesday.