DAVENPORT, Iowa-- It's the calm before the storm, as locals prepare for the Republican presidential candidate, Donald J. Trump, to make a stop in Davenport, Iowa.
"Parking is going to be atrocious for us. I can already see we're not going to have any parking on 3rd Street. So yeah, it might be a little chaos for everyone," says downtown Davenport resident Cyndi Clark.
The rally, expected to attract thousands of people, will fall on the same day as Bix Festival races. Some are worried about downtown congestion.
This will be the first Midwest stop the Republican nominee will make since the Republican National Convention.
"Iowa's a pivotal state. We're first in the nation, and it's very important he comes here and gets Iowa," said Scott County republican John Ortega.
Local GOP leaders say that what their party needs to win the election is a single, united voice of support for Trump.
"I really think he'll take Iowa. And if he does, he's well on his way to be president," said Ortega.
But others aren't as certain.
"I think he has a lot of work to do here. I don't think he will be successful," said Clark.
Whether you're flocking to the speech or keeping your distance, locals say this stop, once again, puts Davenport on the political road map even if that road is a busy one.
"Although we're in the Midwest, we might not seem like we're important, but we are. We start caucuses. We start our elections, so I think it's important that they both come and say what they have to say. Everyone's equal. We all need to have our own opinions," Clark said.
Trump will hold his town hall meeting on Thursday at the Adler Theatre in downtown Davenport. The doors will open at 1 p.m., and he is scheduled to speak at 4 p.m.