The Flynn Center Credit: File photo

Updated at 10:48 p.m.: Police said at midday that the campaign has issued nearly 20,000 free tickets.

Donald Trump’s presidential campaign has given out more than 18,000 free tickets for his appearance Thursday night at the 1,400-seat Flynn Center for the Performing Arts, Burlington Police Chief Brandon del Pozo said Wednesday.

Del Pozo said that the large gap between tickets issued and seats available is a problem.

“We’re working with the campaign to see what their plans are to accommodate people who don’t have tickets,” del Pozo said. As of Wednesday afternoon, the campaign had not offered any indication it had any such plans. The city has no plans to cancel the event, del Pozo said.

Asked if Trump’s campaign had been cooperative in planning for the overflow, del Pozo said, “They’re cooperative when it comes to a safe event inside the Flynn. They consider what happens outside the theater as the province of police and public safety agencies rather than the campaign.”

The city is planning to close streets around the Flynn and bring in extra patrols in response both to the possible overflow of attendees and to planned protests. Del Pozo said lower Church Street between Main and King streets will be closed to traffic and parking starting at noon Thursday.

Main Street from Church to St. Paul Streets will be closed to traffic and parking starting at 1 p.m., he said. Protesters plan a rally at City Hall Park and a vigil at St. Paul and Main streets in response to Trump’s 7 p.m. appearance at the Flynn.

The event originally was planned for only the 1,000-seat main floor space of the Flynn, but based on the large number of tickets being issued, balcony seats were added Tuesday, Flynn Executive Director John Killacky said. That brings the seating total to about 1,400.

Trump’s campaign has been issuing free tickets via the online site EventBrite. Shortly after tickets became available, the site indicated the event was sold out, but that quickly changed and tickets remained available Wednesday afternoon, even after local officials expressed concern about the gap between the number of tickets and seats.

Some Trump opponents have indicated in online discussions that they were acquiring tickets, but then planned not to use them, hoping it would leave empty seats at the theater. The strategy will not likely have that effect, given the large number of tickets issued, but it means no one knows how many people who acquired tickets will actually try to use them.

Killacky said doors will open at 5 p.m. Secret Service will be screening event-goers, and Trump goes on stage at 7 p.m. sharp. If seated attendees leave the theater in protest, no new attendees will be let in, he said.

Del Pozo said police will be patrolling outside, at what he described as a significant overtime cost to the city. If those who get shut out have complaints, he will refer them to the Trump campaign. He offered this advice to attendees: “If you come, don’t expect to get in.”

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Terri Hallenbeck was a Seven Days staff writer covering politics, the Legislature and state issues from 2014 to 2017.

21 replies on “Trump Issues Nearly 20,000 Tickets to Flynn Event”

  1. So it’s now costing the tax payers of Burlington money because the campaign knowingly created this situation?

  2. Trump wants mexico to pay the bill for a fence to keep illegals out then he should foot the bill for the costs to the city for this unbelievably stupid stunt. it is going to be a circus, and I will be amazed if no one is hurt. Some sort of riot is bound to happen with that many people with diametrically opposed views in one place. I was going to go out of interest, and to show my son how the political process works. Now we are probably going to be as far away as possible, this is a recipe for disaster! (just like a Trump presidency would be!)
    shm

  3. Trump’s handlers should be cited & arraigned by police for violation of Burlington’s city ordinance 21-46, barring disorderly conduct with: “… intent to cause public inconvenience, or annoyance or recklessly creating a risk thereof: …(b) Makes unreasonable noise; or… (e) Obstructs vehicular or pedestrian traffic.” It’s a $250-$500 fine, but it’s the right thing to do in light of their wilful disregard for this event’s impact on our city today.

  4. I think Trump’s team would LOVE if all the people who wanted to go went ironically; they’d then have an opportunity to make Bernie’s roots look crazy, which I am sure is the goal…

  5. Ii welcome Donald Trump Burlington Vermont he got my vote and my heart ,I live in Burlington on pine St,I’m gay and a male witch and blessed bev too freedom .

  6. a recipe for a melee…is this what Trump wants?….history repeats itself….ie Weimar Republic publc brawls lead by the “brown shirt” thugs

  7. Several hundred people who have been communicating privately online applied for tickets starting 12/31 and the vast majority said they would attend the rally on January 7th. On Monday, January 4th, we received emails telling us to reregister. I have scant idea how many did so; those who did received tickets with different numbers from their original tickets. Now we have no idea which tickets, if any, will be honored.
    The group was private, by invitation. and I am personally concerned it was accessed and that we will not be admitted even though many will “camp out” in order to be admitted.
    That makes it all the more possible we have been trumped by the dump of 20,000 tickets.
    Ann Geer

  8. Some of you are ignorant to the point of sadness. Social media is blowing up about collecting all the tickets so they can trash them. Does it really matter if you get “tickets”?. No, it’s a free show. First come first serve. He will make sure seats are filled. I hope Bernie does something in the state and all the Republicans stage pathetic protests as well.

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