SYRACUSE — President Donald Trump will speak at a Republican Party midterm rally Friday, Oct. 9, at the Nicholas J. Pirro Convention Center on the Oncenter campus in Syracuse.

Doors at the venue, located at 800 S. State St., open at 3 p.m. The main program begins at 5:30 p.m., with Trump expected to take the stage at 7 p.m.

President Trump will be supporting Bruce Blakeman, the Republican candidate for New York governor.

The rally is free to attend, but anyone planning to go should prepare for expenses, a potentially long wait outside and heavy security.

The Oncenter is about an hour and a half drive from Norwich. Attendees should allow considerably more travel time Friday because downtown traffic, parking and presidential security restrictions could cause delays, many will arrive by 11 a.m.

Admission and seating are first come, first served. Attendees must register online through the Republican Party event website before arriving, (https://events.gop.com/events/midterm-rally-in-syracuse-ny-president-donald-j-trump).

After registering and verification, take a screenshot of the confirmation and save it directly on your phone or print a paper copy as a backup.

With a large numbers of people at the venue and using their phones at the same time, cellular service could become slow or unreliable. So keep a copy of your registration you can share without service.

While registering provides a ticket, attendees should not assume that it guarantees admission. In an effort to thwart no-shows and protesters who create fake registrations, the event hands out more seats than are available at the site. Once full, doors are closed even if you have a ticket.

<strong>Expect people to line up very early</strong>

Doors do not open until 3 p.m., but attendees should expect people to begin lining up well before then, many will be there by or before noon.

Those hoping to get inside, particularly those hoping to stand closer to the front, should arrive in the early morning. Dress for the weather, wear comfortable shoes and be prepared to remain outside and stand for several hours.

It can common etiquette to introduce yourself to the people immediately ahead of and behind you in line, you will be standing next to them for a large part of the day.

During long waits, people sometimes briefly step away to use a restroom, get food or take care of another necessity and then return to the line. Knowing the people around you helps you remember who was already there and can prevent confusion when someone returns.

A communal system often develops in long event lines, with neighboring attendees informally keeping track of one another's places. That courtesy should not be used to allow additional friends or members of a group to arrive much later and move ahead of people who have been waiting. Groups should arrive together whenever possible.

<strong>Eat and use the restroom before</strong>

Anyone planning to spend the event near the front of a standing crowd should take care of food and restroom needs before settling into a position.

The Oncenter has restrooms inside, but once a standing crowd fills in, someone who leaves a front area will not be able to get back to the same location.

Once inside, the secret service will not allow anyone to re-enter after leaving the building.

Use the restroom before entering or shortly after getting inside. Attendees should also consider how long they may be standing during the program and Trump's remarks. It will not be uncommon for many attendees to be onsite before noon and the president’s remarks will likely end after 10 p.m., if his other rallies are an indication.

There is no admission charge for the rally, but visitors should budget for expenses like parking, food and drinks or merchandise from vendors.

Street vendors may also be present around the event area selling food, drinks or political merchandise to those in line and outside the building. Anything purchased outside must still comply with venue security rules before entering, no food or drinks can enter the center.

<strong>Bring as little as possible</strong>

The simplest way to get through security is to bring as little as possible.

The Oncenter strongly encourages patrons not to bring a bag and has a clear-bag policy.

Permitted bags include clear plastic, vinyl or PVC bags no larger than 12 inches by 6 inches by 12 inches and one-gallon clear plastic freezer bags. Small wallets or clutches must comply with the venue's size restrictions. Those who do not comply will be turned away.

Backpacks, purses, fanny packs, computer bags, camera cases, luggage, coolers and other prohibited bags should be left at home or in a vehicle.

The venue does not provide storage for prohibited bags or other belongings, but there will be garbage receptacles.

Metal detector screening and searches by law enforcement will be occurring. Please do whatever they tell you to do.

<strong>What not to bring</strong>

Weapons are prohibited, no knives of any kind. Bringing even a legal firearm by accident will likely result in your arrest. Other than a cell phone, most electronics will be prohibited.

Other prohibited items include poles, selfie sticks, chains, laser pointers, noisemakers, stickers, and most kinds of video, audio and camera equipment. Use your cellphone. If you are unsure if you can bring something, don’t bring it.

<strong>Stay safe, don’t instigate</strong>

People attending the rally should avoid confrontations with protesters.

Do not leave the line to argue with demonstrators, respond to taunts or otherwise become involved in a confrontation. If a problem develops, move away from it and notify police or security personnel.

At presidential events, law enforcement often uses barricades, designated protest areas or separate gathering locations to keep demonstrators and people waiting to enter an event apart.

Parking rates vary but credit cards and mobile payments are accepted at most.

The Centro Transit Hub is also located several blocks from The Oncenter, and bus stops are located along State Street near the venue.

From Norwich, the trip to the event is approximately an hour and a half away.

If you leave too late in the day you will encounter slower traffic and road closure as law enforcement prepares for the president’s arrival.

Most people at the event will likely be friendly and understanding, since most committed serious time and effort to being there. If you show respect, you will be treated respectfully. Like you, most are excited to be there and take part in a historic event.