VERMONT

Bernie Sanders Vermont rally: When to arrive, where to park & what to expect in Montpelier

The Sanders campaign expects 3,000 people at the Montpelier rally. If you're one of them, here's what you need to know.

April McCullum
Burlington Free Press

Bernie Sanders' campaign expects thousands of people to greet the senator at his first home-state rally on Saturday.

The campaign rally, to be held outdoors on the lawn of the Vermont Statehouse in Montpelier, comes three months into Sanders' second Democratic presidential campaign. Sanders opted not to launch his campaign in Vermont, as he had done in 2015.

The event gives Sanders an opportunity to recognize the Vermonters who have supported his unlikely political rise, and energize Vermont followers who could cross state lines to volunteer for his campaign. 

More:Bernie Sanders to hold first Vermont 2020 campaign rally in Montpelier

The event is expected to cause traffic delays in downtown Montpelier. 

In its application to use the Statehouse lawn, the Sanders campaign told the Vermont Department of Buildings and General Services that they expected at least 3,000 people to attend the rally. The Burlington Free Press obtained the application through a public records request.

Shannon Jackson, a spokesman for the Sanders campaign, declined to share an updated crowd estimate Tuesday.

Here's what to know about the rally if you'll be in Montpelier that day:

Schedule 

People can gather at the Statehouse lawn starting at 12:30 p.m.

Singer/songwriter Brandi Carlile is scheduled to take the stage at 1:15 p.m., according to the Sanders campaign. 

Brandi Carlile performs sold-out shows May 24 and 25 at the Shelburne Museum.

Campaign spokesman Jackson said the pre-rally program will also include "speeches by leaders and supporters that highlight parts of the senator's political impact."

The rally itself begins at 2 p.m.

Jackson said the speaker list was not available as of Tuesday.

LOOK BACK ON 2015 IN BURLINGTON: Sanders: 'We begin a political revolution'

Sanders' 2015 campaign kickoff in Burlington featured a slate of Vermonters, including activist and author Bill McKibben, Ben & Jerry's Homemade founders Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield, Champlain Housing Trust CEO Brenda Torpy, and Donna Bailey, executive director of the Addison County Parent/Child Center.

Free ice cream 

The tradition continues: As at Sanders' first presidential campaign kickoff in May 2015, there will be free Ben & Jerry's ice cream at the Saturday event, Jackson said.

The campaign also expects food trucks on site.

People line up for free Ben & Jerry's ice cream before Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders announces he is a candidate for the Democratic nomination for president at Waterfront Park in Burlington on Tuesday, May 26, 2015.

Getting there

The Vermont Statehouse is located at 115 State Street in Montpelier. 

Anthony Facos, chief of the Montpelier Police Department, recommends car pooling if at all possible.

State and federal parking lots will be available to the public, as well as lots down the road at Montpelier High School and up the hill at National Life Group. 

Street closures

The section of State Street in front of the Statehouse will be closed for the rally, but people will still be able to access some parking along that street, Montpelier Police Chief Anthony Facos said in an email.

Slightly east of the capitol, another section of State Street between Elm Street and Main Street is closed for the regular Montpelier farmers market from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m.

There are no plans for shuttle service to the rally.

The following map shows the rally location (in blue), street closures (in red) and several of the available parking locations (in purple). 

What to leave at home

The Sanders campaign says weapons, sharp objects and signs or banners on sticks will not be allowed through security. 

Bags are allowed, but they may be searched.

Also not welcome: illegal substances and alcohol, adds Montpelier Police Chief Facos. 

Weather

The Sanders campaign said they usually hold outdoor rallies regardless of weather. In case of "violent weather," the campaign said they would prioritize the safety of the crowd.

Note: Sanders campaign spokesman Shannon Jackson was misidentified in an earlier version of this article. 

Contact April McCullum at 802-660-1863 or amccullum@freepressmedia.com. Follow her on Twitter at @April_McCullum