Photos by Stacy Harrison
MANCHESTER, NH — More than a day and a half ahead of schedule, Trump supporters positioned themselves outside the SNHU Arena in downtown Manchester. They were bundled up, tucked in tents and hunkered down, prepared for a cold night’s sleep in anticipation of Monday night’s campaign stop by President Donald Trump, who is appearing in the Queen City on NH Primary Eve as part of his Keep America Great Tour.
He will be the GOP antidote to the heavy Democratic vibe that has been buzzing around the downtown in advance of Tuesday’s primary election day.
Among those who were early to the party: Libby Depiero from New Haven, CT, who has attended 51 rallies and part of the “Front Row Joes,” supporters who have been to more than 50 Trump rallies, and Olivia and Jeff Roy of Bloomfield, CT, who described themselves as “avid snowmobilers” who were not worried about the cold.
Temperatures were expected to dip below freezing overnight Sunday into Monday.
“We’ll be just fine,” said Jeff.
Trump’s rally is scheduled to being at 7 p.m. If turnout rivals Trump’s last NH appearance, prepare for long lines and the possibility of not getting into the arena.
What you need to know
In coordination with Federal, State and other local officials, there are going to be street closures throughout most of the afternoon and evening in the areas immediately surrounding the SNHU Arena. At this time, the closures (subject to change) are as follows;
7 a.m.
- Elm Street closed from Auburn Street to Lake Ave. Vehicular traffic north on Elm Street will still be able to access W Auburn St. This closure of Elm Street will extend to Merrimack Street at noon
- Willow Street closed from Auburn to Green Street. This closure will extend to Valley Street at noon.
- Auburn Street closed from Chestnut to Elm streets.
12 p.m.
- Elm Street closed from Lake Ave to Merrimack Street. Vehicles coming out of the Doubletree Hotel will be directed south to Granite Street.
- Lake Ave. closed from Elm to Pine Street.
- Chestnut Street closed from Central to Auburn streets.
- Granite Street closed from Elm to Canal streets with Parking Garage access at the Doubletree Hotel coming from Granite Street Eastbound – there will be a signboard indicating such.
2 p.m.
- Elm Street closed from Auburn to Valley Street.
- NO PARKING WILL BE ENFORCED ON ALL OF THESE CLOSED ROADS AFTER THE TIME SPECIFIED. IF YOU LEAVE A VEHICLE PARKED IN ANY OF THESE AREAS DURING THE CLOSURE, YOUR VEHICLE MAY BE TOWED.
- There may be additional closures as the day progresses and as the needs of the Secret Service dictate. There will be intermittent closures for the Presidential Motorcade for the arrival and departure of the motorcade.
- Barricades will be utilized in and around the SNHU Arena. They will be used to cordon off areas that will be restricted to persons attending the event and/or Law Enforcement personnel only.
Handicapped Parking
Old Granite Street, which can be accessed from Granite St. eastbound just after the intersection of Canal St., will be posted for handicapped parking access only. This parking will be on-street only. There is no overflow location at this time. Old Granite Street is directly across the street (west) from the SNHU Arena.
Parking
Parking on city streets, with the exception of those closed as a result of this event, will be open to the public. Most of the downtown parking is metered parking. There are no designated lots or specified parking areas for this event. The local parking garages are expected to be operating as they normally do. There are parking garages at the Doubletree Hotel and Vine St.
MTA location change/No Shuttle Service to the rally
- The Elm St reetMTA stops in front of Veteran’s Park and Stanton Park Plaza will be relocated to Chestnut St. in front of the Hillsborough County Superior Court House located at 300 Chestnut St.
- At this time there is NO shuttle service for this event. Manchester Transit Authority (MTA) will continue to operate its service while working around the road closures for the event. Please be cognizant of this as you travel to the area.
