HARRISBURG, Pa. — Update, 3:45 p.m.: Trooper Megan Frazer, a spokesperson with the Pennsylvania State Police, announced Wednesday afternoon that all parking lots around the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex are now full. Motorists are advised to avoid the area if possible, and to expect "major traffic delays" on all roads near the complex.
Previously
Former President Donald Trump is hosting a rally inside the New Holland Arena at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex Wednesday evening.
This is his first trip back to the Keystone State since the assassination attempt in Butler County.
This isn't his first time at the Farm Show Complex; Trump was a featured speaker there back in February during the National Rifle Association's Great American Outdoor Show.
Given the nature of Trump’s most recent visit, Republican Congressman Scott Perry believes Trump’s rally today will be strong.
“The American people will see a leader who is not going to be intimidated under the, obviously, the most extreme of circumstances,” Perry said.
Law enforcement will be on high alert Wednesday and performing security sweeps ahead of the event.
According to the City of Harrisburg, the U.S. Secret Service, Pennsylvania State Police, Capitol Police and Harrisburg Police will all be involved in the security of Wednesday's event.
Harrisburg Police will focus mostly on traffic control.
Some supporters of Trump camped out outside the New Holland Arena ahead of his rally and shared they are not concerned for their safety.
“I feel pretty safe given that it’s inside so I don’t think there’s going to be any snipers today. I’m hoping to get really close up because I got here at midnight," said Ryan, a Trump supporter.
Edward Young, another Trump supporter, told us he slept outside the arena overnight.
“We’re here to show support,” Young said. "Donald Trump in 2016 said to us, the working men and women of America, I got your back and we’re here to show him sir I got your back, we got your back. We’re standing by you, and we’re gonna see that you get re-elected. We’re going to do everything in our power."
FOX43 also heard from Dr. Stephen Medvic, a professor of government from Franklin and Marshall College who shared why Pennsylvania is such an important state for presidential candidates to visit ahead of the election.
"When you look back to 2016 and 2020, it turns out that Pennsylvania, along with Michigan and Wisconsin, were the closest states, and those were really the ones that determined the outcome of the election," Medvic said. "I think what former President Trump is trying to accomplish here with this rally, is to excite his supporters to maybe sign up some new volunteers to go knocking on doors and also to get some media coverage."
Dr. Medvic also shared that campaign stops to the same state from either party are important because it means more opportunities for new voters to get to know the candidates.
Doors open to the New Holland Arena at 2 p.m., and Trump is scheduled to take to the stage at 6 p.m.