President Donald Trump is gearing up for his visit to Nashville on Wednesday.
Trump is expected to arrive in Music City in the afternoon after visiting the cities of Romulus and Ypsilanti in Michigan.
The president will be holding a rally at 6:30 p.m. at the Municipal Auditorium in downtown Nashville. U.S. Congressman Marsha Blackburn, R-TN, is also expected to speak at the event.
Metro police officers met with safety officials outside the auditorium on Monday. They discussed everything from potential crowd size to protesters to how they will manage security.
The general manager of Municipal Auditorium could not give a ballpark of what the capacity will be for the rally. The auditorium typically holds between 9,400 and 9,700 people for most music events. On Tuesday, the Trump campaign spent much of the day setting up the auditorium.
Doors open for Trump's rally at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday. The rally is free and open to the public, but guests will need to reserve tickets ahead of time. However, the tickets do not guarantee admission to the event. Guests will be let in on a first-come, first-served basis. Click here to register for tickets.
An official with the Municipal Auditorium said they expect to have two security checkpoints. One would be on 4th Avenue North and Charlotte Avenue. Another checkpoint would be at the front doors of Municipal Auditorium. The checkpoints will be managed by the TSA, who will operate metal detectors.
Guests are not allowed to bring weapons, chains, knives or sharp objects, laser pointers, backpacks or fanny packs, umbrellas, cans, bottles or outside food. No cameras, recording devices or face masks will be allowed. Small clutches are allowed, so are clear bags no larger than 12" x 6".
Supporters started lining up outside the auditorium as early as 6 a.m. Wednesday.
Richard Snowden of Gordonsville, TN, was the first person in line. Snowden has been to about 40 Trump events.
"This is probably the most historic presidential campaign in at least a century, and so to be a part of that and to have met the candidate, now President Trump, 28 times has been a thrill," Snowden said.
Before the rally, Trump will visit Andrew Jackson's Hermitage. The president is expected to arrive sometime in the afternoon and spend about 90 minutes there.
During his visit, he will lay the presidential wreath on Jackson's tomb to commemorate his 250th birthday. He'll then go on a private tour of the mansion and will wrap up his visit by giving a short speech from the front porch of Jackson's home.
Trump is the 14th president to visit the Hermitage and the first since Ronald Reagan to attend Jackson's birthday ceremony.
A lot of people have compared to Trump to Jackson -- some calling out similarities in their demeanor, representing the anti-establishment and being very controversial. Trump has a portrait of Jackson hanging in the Oval Office.
CEO of The Andrew Jackson Foundation Howard Kittell says he believes the parallels between Trump and Jackson motivated his visit.
"We like to think that the fact that the president was coming on Andrew Jackson's 250th birthday ... that he was coming to Nashville ... wasn't a coincidence. We don't know for sure, but we'd like to think that," Kittell said.
There is already at least one planned protest. A group of Native Americans who call Trump an "Indian hater" are lining up along the route Trump will take to get there. There is no word yet on how many people will be involved.
The Hermitage will be closed to the public all day Wednesday and will reopen Thursday.
As with any presidential visit, there will be major road closures throughout the day. The president's specific routes will not be released due to security reasons.
Metro police say drivers can expect roads between Nashville International Airport and the Hermitage to be temporarily closed between 3 and 4 p.m. Wednesday. Roads will reopen as the president’s motorcade clears the route.
Roads between the Hermitage and Municipal Auditorium will be closed sometime between 5 and 6 p.m. and will reopen as the motorcade clears the route.
Road closures near the auditorium will begin around noon Wednesday to accommodate thousands of people expected in the area.
Fifth Avenue from Charlotte Avenue to James Robertson Parkway will close at noon. Gay Street between James Robertson Parkway and 5th Avenue will also close at noon. James Robertson Parkway from 3rd to 5th Avenues will close at 3 p.m., or earlier, as crowds arrive.
During the motorcade from the Hermitage to Municipal Auditorium, James Robertson Parkway will be closed between Interstate Drive and Rosa L. Parks Boulevard. It will remain closed until the end of the event.
Music City Central will be closed for most of the day on Wednesday, which will affect anyone who rides a bus.
MTA officials said Music City Central will close at 9:45 a.m. Wednesday. Bus service will then transition to 6th Avenue between Korean Veterans Boulevard and Demonbreun Street. Bus bays will be grouped in threes and marked with signs along 6th Avenue.
Officials say riders should expect bus delays on Wednesday because of rolling closures and detours during the president’s visit.
MTA will not be selling tickets on Wednesday. Anyone needing to buy them will need to do so Monday or Tuesday.
Click here for complete information on bus routes for Wednesday.
Wondering which state and local leaders will be attending the rally? Here's a list:
Gov. Bill Haslam: Will attend the rally
Lt. Gov. Randy McNally: Out of town, unable to attend
Nashville Mayor Megan Barry: Will attend the event at the Hermitage. Has not received an invitation to greet the president at the airport. Will not attend the rally at Municipal Auditorium.
Metro Nashville Public Schools Director Dr. Shawn Joseph: Will not attend
U.S. Rep. Marsha Blackburn, R-TN: Will speak at event. Initially said she would be unable to attend.
Stay with Channel 4 and WSMV.com for full coverage of the president's visit to Nashville.
