Officials bracing for Donald Trump's Macon Coliseum appearance, expected throng

Donald Trump's campaign stop in Macon on Monday night could be one of the biggest and wildest political events the city has ever seen.

Thousands are expected inside the Macon Coliseum to hear the maverick candidate for the Republican presidential nomination, and there's a promise of protesters outside.

The campaign is distributing free tickets online for the event. Brandon Phillips, the Georgia director of Trump's campaign, deferred questions about the number of tickets distributed as of Friday to Hope Hicks, Trump's national media spokeswoman. Hicks did not respond to an email, however.

David Higdon, the coliseum's event manager, said he didn't know how many tickets had been distributed, but he's expecting a big crowd. Based on the numbers Trump has drawn at similar events -- and the buzz he's been hearing about the Macon rally -- Higdon said he looking for a capacity crowd of 8,000.

"I'm anticipating a full house," he said. "I think a lot of people are going to come."

Bibb County Sheriff David Davis met Friday with representatives from the Secret Service, the GBI, the Georgia State Patrol and the Macon-Bibb Fire Department to plan security for the event.

Davis said he has been involved in planning for other large political events in the past, including visits by sitting presidents and vice presidents, but none quite like the Trump event.

"I don't think we have had anyone with such a high level of feelings both for and against in the past, and that brings a little bit different perspective to this visit," he said. "We have a plan in place and as long as everyone acts civil, we will be fine."

Davis said deputies will help escort Trump to and from the event and with directing traffic. He did not expect there would be reimbursement for the cost, but Davis said that is standard practice for such events.

"It's our duty to make sure he has a safe stay in Macon, and also at the same time to make sure the people who want to see him are kept safe," the sheriff said.

Jack Ellis, a former Macon mayor, said he will be part of a group of protesters in front of the coliseum. He said it will be "a loud and peaceful" protest.

Ellis said he disagrees with Trump on many issues, but in particular Trump's stance on immigration, the Syrian refugee crisis and Trump's derogatory comments about President Barack Obama.

"We just feel this guy is bad news," he said.

Ellis and Davis have communicated about the planned protest and plans for security.

Suzanne Wood, a former chairwoman of the Bibb County Republican Party, said the local group's involvement with the event has primarily been to round up volunteers to help with the crowd and seating. She said she expects people to come from a wide area of the state, and she has even had people from Florida contact her about coming.

Wood said she has heard many people say they are coming -- even though they don't necessarily support Trump.

One of those is Mary Huffstetler, who is going with her husband and their two children. She called herself a conservative and said she is undecided on which candidate she will vote for in the primary.

"I am very excited to hear what he has to say," she said. "I think he is unconventional and people are always looking for something that is not predictable."

While presidential candidates these days are known for well-rehearsed, recurring stump speeches, Trump has won supporters -- and detractors -- for off-the-cuff remarks that some prospective voters have found offensive.

Wood said that's why she thinks a big crowd will show up Monday, with many people coming more out of curiosity to see what might happen rather than being Trump supporters.

"I've had people tell me 'I don't like Trump, but I want to come,'" she said. "He doesn't do the same canned speech."

Phillips said details of the event are still being worked out, and he couldn't say who might be introducing Trump. He said there will be a rope line, where Trump will greet supporters, but he didn't know details of when or how that might happen.

The event starts at 7:30 p.m., but people can start arriving at 5 p.m. Higdon said it would be a good idea for people to get there as early as possible because everyone entering will have to go through a security screen.

Although tickets are free, parking is $5 per vehicle.

To contact writer Wayne Crenshaw, call 256-9725.

This story was originally published November 28, 2015 at 9:00 PM with the headline "Officials bracing for Donald Trump's Macon Coliseum appearance, expected throng ."