What are you bringing to the rally?

November 3, 2008 12:35 PM

If you are going, how are you preparing for Obama's rally in Grant Park?

Can't bring chairs, bags, or signs. So, tell me: if you are going, what are you bringing? Protein bars? Walkie-talkies? Umbrella? Pepper spray? Anything and everything, including hypothetical ideas for if you were going are welcome. Also, rationale behind your choices are appreciated.

posted by AceRock to grab bag (14 comments total)

I think they are being really restrictive on what you can bring in, so I'd check ahead before bringing your walkie-talkies and umbrellas.
posted by Ponderance at 12:44 PM on November 3, 2008

Tomorrow looks like it's going to be a beautiful day. Bring lots of snacks, water, sunscreen if you will be there during the day, a fully charged iPod.
posted by onalark at 12:45 PM on November 3, 2008

Wallet (after removing bladed gimcrackery), keys (after removing bladed gimcrackery), small change, phone.

Maybe jacket (after removing a couple of bolts I've got in one pocket).
posted by aramaic at 12:45 PM on November 3, 2008

I am bringing as little as I possibly can. Keys, phone, CTA pass, all worn close to the body. A hoodie or jacket if it gets cold. Comfortable shoes, certainly.

Bottles are verboten, so I'm going to try my best to be well-fed and well-hydrated in advance - though not too hydrated, because I'd rather not have to navigate the restroom lines.
posted by Metroid Baby at 1:13 PM on November 3, 2008

At his rally in Mpls last spring, umbrellas were not allowed into the arena. There were huge piles of them outside the doors, because it had been looking rainy all day and people spent several hours in line waiting to get in. I seriously doubt they'd let you in with pepper spray, either - in fact, if I was working security I might not let you in at all after finding it, even if you were willing to give it up.

Depending on how long you expect to be waiting to get in, some sandwiches might be good. We had individually-wrapped string cheeses as we waited, and everyone seemed to be glad for them. If you bring any food to enjoy, have it in disposable containers that you don't want back - old water bottles, plastic bags, etc. just in case they make you throw it out before admitting you.

Honestly, I think the most important thing will be to wear layers in case of temperature changes and comfy shoes so you can stand up and cheer for extended periods of time. Oh, and chapstick. Nothing makes a long evening of fun drag on like needing chapstick and not having it.
posted by vytae at 1:56 PM on November 3, 2008

Don't forget photo ID or you'll probably be screwed. Camera or cameraphone, obviously. Clif bars are great for a filling snack.
posted by desjardins at 2:01 PM on November 3, 2008

Oh, and I'd bring an AM/FM radio with earbuds so I could keep abreast of what's going on. In large rallys, it's often hard to know where you're supposed to be when, and if something happens (a street is closed that you didn't expect), it's nice to know what the heck is going on. I am sure some station will have live coverage of the event.
posted by desjardins at 2:03 PM on November 3, 2008

I'm preparing for going by paying attention to all the Obamapalooza askme's (there's also one by me, wfrgms, and melodykramer).
posted by garlic at 3:08 PM on November 3, 2008

I'll probably take a nap first.
posted by jennyb at 3:21 PM on November 3, 2008

Cheap flask.
posted by wfrgms at 4:21 PM on November 3, 2008

This may be an obvious one, but I'm definitely going to wear a pair of comfortable shoes. Without any place to sit other than the ground, I know I'm going to need something to give my feet a lot of support since I'll be standing for who knows how many hours tomorrow night.

I'm still debating whether to bring my pocket-sized point and shoot camera or my digital SLR. It's never too much of a hassle to carry around when I have a bag with me, but without one, I'm not sure whether or not it'll be worth it. I'm not getting to the rally until at least 6:30 or 7, so I know I'm not going to be anywhere near the front of the crowd... But I don't want to regret not having my good camera with me if I find out that I really could have used it. Hmm. We'll see what happens with this one.
posted by sabira at 4:33 PM on November 3, 2008

NPR just reported that you can take a bag with food and water ... Trib is reporting that bags and the like wont' be allowed in - but it's unclear if that includes the ticketed area or not.

So basically, with less than 24 hours to go, no one knows what the fuck is going on and the cross talk between the mayor, city officials, the campaign, and the media is both scant and maddening in it's inconsistency.
posted by wfrgms at 4:42 PM on November 3, 2008

All communications I've gotten from the Obama Campaign say no bags. My only camera is a DSLR and I'm hoping I can take it but I've heard that in the past at rallys any camera with a detachable lens has been banned. I am not sure we'll get answers on that before tomorrow.
posted by Bunglegirl at 5:04 PM on November 3, 2008

I just got my ticket and it says:

"For security reasons do not bring bags. Please limit personal items. No signs, banners, chairs, lawn chairs, blankets, or strollers allowed."
posted by Bunglegirl at 5:06 PM on November 3, 2008