Hey, Tampa Bay, FL people.. What time are ya'll lining up to see Obama?

[glowing]

Its first come, first in. I'm just wondering what time I need to get my butt there.

[DU9598]

1. Des Moines

I have a large group of friends planning to gather at my house about 4 pm and then heading over to the East Village to hear Sen. Obama tomorrow night at 7:30 pm. If I learn how to post pics on here, I sure will. I got a new camera just for this speech tomorrow night.

If you can, please post Tampa pics.

[SaveAmerica]

2. It is well worth it to be as early as you can get yourself there, in NC we lined up at 12:00

Obama was to speak at 5:30 with doors opening at 3:00. So getting there 3 hours before the doors opened had us about 200 people away the front door. When the doors opened the bulk of people in front of us went to find seats to sit in, we were asked if we wanted on the floor. We said yes and got spots front and left of Obama, it was awesome! I shook his hand and many others on the front row of the floor group (in front of the podium) gave the Secret Service his books to be autographed. It is so worth it to do what you can to get there as early as you can. My husband had only a few hours of vacation time left for the rest of this year and he used half of them to get there early. I told my kids we were standing 10 feet away from what could be the next president of the United States. So thrilling.

[glowing]

3. I was thinking of going early.. I'm going solo.. so, I'm hoping to manuever

a good little spot.. Thanks..

[SaveAmerica]

6. Another tip is that you have to go through security-everyone crowds around the first metal detectors

If you look to the left or the right you'll see shorter lines on those detectors and you'll get through faster. Find someone who's working the event and as them for directions to get to the podium. You'll save time. Will you PM me when you get back? I'd love to know how it goes. My son took a picture with my cell phone of Obama as he was shaking my hand. You can't see me or my hand but Obama is forever on my cell.

[glowing]

7. I'm sure.. I started out not caring.. then Clinton started doing some strange stuff.

and I like that people are getting involved. If people are paying attention, then we have a democracy. Then the corporations won't have as much power. I hope the work for America remains a commitment... So, I'd like to see our next President speak..

[Political Tiger]

20. I live in Tampa but can't go :(

Unfortunately, I have a dentist appointment and I can't miss that, but while the dentist is poking around in my mouth I'll be thinking of Obama! lol

[L0oniX]

4. Tampa St Pete Times Forum doors open 10:30am ...I'll be there at 9am.

The Obama show begins at 12pm.

[glowing]

5. I'm thinking earlier.. vollunteers have to be there at 6am.. and I think

they gave out more tickets than they have room for.. that's why it says first come, first in.

[glowing]

8. I'm kicking again for any late risers.

[Coexist]

9. 8

[glowing]

11. I was thinking about that time too.

[JimGinPA]

10. Seeing Him In Person Is Well Worth The Wait - Get There As Early As You Can...

People will line up several hours before the gates open.

[glowing]

12. It is Tampa.. people love to be late here.

[glowing]

13. kick--tickets are sold out.

[nonobadfish]

14. If the doors open at 10:30, I'd get there by at least 7:00 am. I'm not kidding...

People have been lining up REALLY early. We got to the coliseum in Jackson 5 hours before they opened the door (and seven hours before he spoke). We were about tenth in line, but the line got long really quickly after that.

When you get in, if you have someone with you, one person needs to get seats right away and the other needs to ask someone about standing on the floor around the stage. In Jackson, they told us that everyone had to have a seat, yet when the seats were filled, they let the latecomers stand on the floor. We were so early that our seats were great, but if I had known that I could have gotten on the front line standing up against the barricade, I would have done that. So get a seat, but keep your options open so you can beat the others to the floor if you want to.

One more thing: You will be able to tell how Obama is going to get to the stage if you look. He shakes the hands along the line of people who are standing along that pathway to and from the stage.

Have a wonderful time!

[nonobadfish]

16. I just realized you said you are going solo...so change my advice just a little.

When you get in, run to your seat and then ask the person beside you to save your seat for a second, and then find out about standing on the floor. The good seats fill up fast, so you want to get one...but you also don't want to miss being able to stand on the floor if you can be close to the barricade.

One thing I forgot...they were really tough on us about what we could take in, but they did allow us to take a copy of Audacity of Hope or Dreams of My Father for Obama to sign. Those along the pathway to and from the stage were able to get those signed.

[glowing]

17. I was going to leave around 7 am.. that should be good.. vollunteers

are to be there at 6am.. they don't need anymore.. I checked just to make sure.. So, now I get to enjoy the show. I really want my CodePink shirt signed.. Do you think I could bring that in?

[nonobadfish]

18. I'm not sure. There have been different reports from different venues.

In Jackson, they said we couldn't even take our purses in...only things that would fit in our pockets, yet they would let me carry the book in. I had to put my money and my keys in my pocket and put my purse in the car. Later arrivals were allowed to bring thier purses in, though, so I don't know what the official rule was.

And in Jackson, they would only let us pass books or paper to secret service people who then took them to Obama to be signed, no shirts.

But others have gotten shirts signed, so if you can get it in, I'd sure try it.

[glowing]

19. they say no bags.. so I was thinking of carrying a clear little plastic bag

with my camera and cell phone and keys in it.. I don't even know if I'll get an autograph.. the arena can hold 20,000. I'm not sure I will be able to get close enough..

[ruby slippers]

15. I just paid to see him in Maitland, so don't hold him up. He is due

there at 7:30 in the ballroom....but I have an extra Tampa ticket I'm not using now so that is one less person you have to crowd in with.