President Donald Trump will host a rally in Great Falls on Thursday, and one vendor is hoping for a rally of his own.
Rocky Granata of New York drove into Great Falls on Wednesday and began setting up shop along 3rd Street NW in front of the former Dimitri’s restaurant.
Granata travels across the country to sell Trump merchandise wherever the President is conducting a rally: hats, banners, flags, pins, and more.
Granata estimates that he drives about 5,000 miles each month, and is often joined by fellow Trump supporters.
While in Great Falls, one of his fellow merchants is Randal Thom, who operates an Alaskan malamute breeding facility in Minnesota. Thom said that one of his dogs is even named after President Trump.
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President Trump’s visit means that a lot of people will be affected by the logistics of the event.
- The President’s rally is scheduled to begin at 4 p.m. at the Four Seasons Arena at Montana ExpoPark.
- Details about the time that Air Force One will arrive are not released to the public, and information about the Presidential motorcade from the airport to the event site will not be released. However, people should expect that all roads between the airport and the Montana ExpoPark are subject to being blocked off at any point before, during, and after the rally.
- The Great Falls Police Department says that "residents, business owners, and visitors should anticipate prolonged delays, traffic rerouting, and spontaneous and lengthy road closures throughout the afternoon."
- KRTV plans to broadcast (on TV and online) the Presidential visit from the time Air Force One arrives until it departs, and will have reporters at several key areas: the arrival of Air Force One; the motorcade; the rally inside the arena; the protest outside the facility; and the departure of Air Force One.
- There is no word yet on whether President Trump will visit Malmstrom Air Force Base or any other organizations or businesses in/around Great Falls.
- The following text appears on the tickets: "No posters, banners, or signs may be brought into 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.
