President Trump Visits Wildwood

President Trump Visits Wildwood And the Crowds go Crazy

There is a lot of judging going on these days. People judging each other. Politicians judging each other. Today you get judged by what news program you watch. Some of you are already judging where this is going. President Trump visits Wildwood, Tuesday, January 28th at 7:00 PM.

Don’t judge me. What was the first thing you thought about when you read or heard the announcement? The first thing I thought was, I will finally get to meet Evan Vucci, the famous Associated Press photographer I follow on Instagram. Sincerely!

As soon as news of the visit broke, groups of people from both political parties began to act. Registering online for the event is a prerequisite. Enter your email address and phone number, get a ticket.

Democrats registering in hopes of keeping seats empty. Republicans and presumably other Trump supporters filling out the same online application, in numbers of up to 50,000 according to one report.

In either case, the online registration process is seen as an attempt to collect email addresses and phone numbers for future campaign use. Junk mail.

Event planning and hospitality management are in my blood. Immediately my mind turned towards 7000 people jammed into Wildwood Convention Hall. Would I recognize any of the faces standing behind the President at the Keep America Great Again Rally? Would I watch?

All Roads Lead To Wildwood

I looked at the calendar and noticed the new moon is just a couple of days earlier. Did the committee think to check the tide table? Do they know the George Redding Bridge floods closed at high tide?

Regardless, this will be President Trump’s first rally on the Jersey Shore since his election. Supporting freshman Congressman Jeff Van Drew for re-election since his defection from the Democratic party. Van Drew distanced himself from the party over impeachment proceedings. Van Drew was likely feeling the heat from Atlantic County chair people on how he would vote. He left.

As a result, President Trump visits Wildwood to show appreciation for Van Drew’s undying support. But how will he arrive? According to news reports, Van Drew will fly from Washington D. C. on Airforce One with POTUS. What kind of entrance will they make in Wildwood? Marine One?

Then there are the hotel rooms. Sold out the Bolero in twelve hours. Another media report had hotels asking $1000 when President Trump visits Wildwood. My conversation with a representative of Booking.com indicated no increase in room searches since the announcement.

Politicians visiting the area usually brings a boost of media coverage. This visit will certainly be no exception. People will want their voices heard. Protests will be planned.

The new Mayor of Wildwood said it best: “I don’t think it really matters if you’re Republican or a Democrat or nonpartisan. I think we should just bask in this opportunity,” Pete Byron told Nj101.5.  “Trump brings out many emotions in people. He’s got his supporters who are really passionate as well as the folks who do not support Trump,” Byron said.

Combine Fireman’s weekend with Biker weekend and Irish Weekend and a couple of other festivals on a cold night in January, and hope for the best.

I wouldn’t stand in line for Bruce Springsteen, I’m not likely to stand in line for this event. Go. Don’t go. Somebody’s going to judge you either way. Except me.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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3 Comments

  1. Debra Mcpherson
    January 11, 2020 / 5:55 pm

    I’m afraid to discuss political these days!!! I’m with you!! I’m not judgmental!!’

    • David Greene
      January 22, 2020 / 12:36 pm

      Thank you for this information, John.

  2. January 14, 2020 / 11:36 am

    Well written as always! Only you can write or discuss any subject without offending anyone even on the most hot topics… and what’s more volatile today than politics?! It takes a truly talented photojournalist to walk that line and still write an interesting article! As friends, you know where I stand, LOL!!! Keep up the great work, John!!