HOUSTON – The line continued to grow outside of the Toyota Center ahead of President Donald Trump's visit to Houston on Monday evening.
Many Trump supporters danced, took pictures and napped while they waited in line to see the president in person for the Make America Great Again Rally.
The gates opened earlier than the scheduled 3:30 p.m time, so the crowds started pouring inside.
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Long lines winding around Toyota Center ahead of President Trump's rally for Sen. Ted Cruz tonight. KPRC2 / Click2Houston
Posted by KPRC2 Syan Rhodes on Monday, October 22, 2018
Hayden Hamilton traveled from South Carolina to attend the rally. She said she was blown away by the crowd.
“This is amazing, I’ve never seen so many people in my life,’ said Hamilton.
Steve Pourteau arrived before the sun to stake a place in line.
“It’s part of democracy to get out here and support my president," said Pourteau.
The lines continue to grow outside of Thr Toyota Center. Trump supporters dancing, eating, snapping pictures and snoozing while they wait for the big rally@this evening. @KPRC2 pic.twitter.com/IxAQYhK492
— Brittany Jeffers (@KPRC2BrittanyJ) October 22, 2018
Others, like Logan Cohen, slept outside of the Toyota Center.
“We want to make sure we get inside to see the president, that is what we are here for.”
Julia Baker, along with her friend, wanted to camp outside to secure a seat at an already packed event.
“We got here at 7 o'clock (Sunday) morning,” said Julia Baker.
Because ticket requests for the event exceeded 100,000 and the Toyota Center only holds 18,000 people, the Trump campaign held a tailgate ahead of the rally.
The tailgate started at 9 a.m. and featured food trucks, live music, appearances by Trump campaign spokespeople and big screens for those who wanted to see Trump’s speech.
According to the campaign, the rally started at 6:30 p.m.
Right across from supporters, city crews shut down several roads in anticipation of the event, including Polk, La Branch, Belle and Jackson streets.
The Houston Police Department had a designated area near the center for protesters.
