Everyone in Florida’s Friendliest Hometown is jockeying for position in the fervent fight to see President Trump on Friday in The Villages.

The venue will be the Buffalo Sports Complex at The Villages High School at Middleton. More than 17,000 tickets have been distributed. The gym can “serve as an end-stage concert venue with temporary folding chair seating exceeding a capacity of 3,000 spectators,” according to the VHS Athletic Department’s website. The could lead to a major disappointment for more than 10,000 ticket holders.

This diagram provided by the White House shows the layout of the event
This diagram provided by the White House shows the layout of the venue and parking.

RSVPing does not guarantee entrance, once capacity is reached, the venue will be closed, and individuals will be turned away.

Sheryl and James Fatig of the Village of Shady Brook are among the hopeful.

“We are very excited to hopefully see our president. It will be an honor to listen to him speak in person. We love and respect him for bringing dignity and justice back to the White House,” Sheryl Fatig said.

Then there are the challenges of parking and traffic.

Barricades and equipment were being set up Thursday afternoon at The Vilages High School at Middleton
Barricades and equipment were being set up Thursday afternoon at The Villages High School at Middleton.

“Due to limited roadway capacity in the Middleton area, significant traffic delays are expected in and around the surrounding areas. We strongly encourage residents and visitors to avoid the area if possible to help reduce congestion,” the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement.

The sheriff’s office is also warning that parking will be very limited.

There is also a long list of things that cannot be brought to Trump’s event:

• Aerosols

• Ammunition

• Animals other than service/guide animals

• Bags (NO bags are allowed)

• Balloons

• Bicycles

• Coolers

• Drones and other unmanned aircraft systems

• Explosives

• Firearms

• Flammable Liquids

• Glass, thermal, or metal containers

• Laser Pointers

• Mace/Pepper spray

• Packages

• Range Finders

• Recreational motorized mobility devices

• Selfie Sticks

• Signs exceeding the size restrictions (20’x3’x1/4”)

• Structures

• Support for signs and placards

• Toy guns

• Weapons of any kind

• Any other items determined to be a potential safety hazard