Photos by Scott McCloskey A crew member with a New York sign company sets up a large video screen Friday in front of WesBanco Arena in downtown Wheeling in preparation of President Donald Trump’s visit today.

WHEELING — Patrick Morrisey said he believes President Donald Trump’s stop here tonight won’t be the last time he makes an appearance in West Virginia before the November midterm elections.

“I believe the president knows the road to the Senate Majority goes through West Virginia,” Morrisey said Friday as he was making last-minute preparations before meeting Trump here today.

The state’s Republican attorney general, who is running for U.S. Senate against incumbent Democrat Joe Manchin, will be one of the speakers during the president’s rally at WesBanco Arena. Trump is expected to address a capacity crowd of 7,000 when he takes the stage in support of Morrisey at 7 p.m.

Morrisey and his campaign spokesman, Nathan Brand, were among those who were making plans Friday in anticipation of the president’s arrival. Brand said he spent his day making phone calls to Republicans across the state and coordinating details with the White House. He said Morrisey will drive to Wheeling this morning and meet the president at the arena rather than meeting him at the Wheeling-Ohio County Airport when Air Force One lands here this evening.

“He will not be at the airport given the tight turnaround,” Brand said of Morrisey.

The Morrisey campaign worked as hundreds of people — from city, state and federal leaders to Republican officials and the venue’s management — helped to make the president’s trip here today possible.

At the arena, crews spent much of the day Friday setting up the stage and running wires for lights and sound. The Secret Service also was there to implement security measures that Greater Wheeling Sports and Entertainment Authority Executive Director Dennis Magruder called “extreme.”

“This is a major production for us,” Magruder said. “This is like any other event, but this one we are doing more on the fly. Typically, we have more time.”

In some ways, a presidential visit is nothing new for Magruder. He was the manager of the arena when former President George W. Bush visited twice in the early 2000s. Still, he said, it was “refreshing” to see how well the Secret Service does its job as he watched and worked with the agents Friday afternoon.

“Obviously, there’s an air of excitement here,” Magruder said. “The national eyes will be on Wheeling Saturday night.”

Elgine McArdle, chairwoman of Ohio County’s Republican Party, said she also spent her day Friday “coordinating from my cell phone.”

“It’s a big flurry,” the chairwoman said of the president’s visit. “There are a number of volunteers I’m trying to coordinate.”

McArdle said more than 70 people had offered to help set up chairs, distribute campaign signs and unload boxes for and during the event.

“There are lots of moving parts,” she said. “But it’s greatly organized.”

McArdle’s advice to those going to the event was to get to the arena early. Doors open at the arena at 4 p.m. The chairwoman was in Charleston when Trump held a similar rally Aug. 21 at the Charleston Civic Center. People were lined up at the doors at 3:30 p.m. for that 7 p.m. event, she said.

She said she didn’t get to meet the president in Charleston. But McArdle said she is hopeful she will get that opportunity today.

“I think it will be a big ‘thank you,'” McArdle said when asked what she might say to Trump if she gets to talk to him.

Mayor Glenn Elliott said Friday that he was not certain if any city official would get a chance to speak with the president. Although Bush met with city leaders during at least one of his trips, Elliott said the Trump administration had not reached out to them. However, city officials had been in touch with the White House to see if they could get a few minutes of the president’s time.

“We’re certainly open to (meeting with the president),” he said. “But this is a political, not a policy visit.”

Several other West Virginia Republicans are expected to be at the event today, McArdle said. They include Gov. Jim Justice; U.S. Rep. David McKinley, R-W.Va.; U.S. Sen. Shelley Capito, R-W.Va.; state Sen. Ryan Ferns, R-Ohio; and Melody Potter, chairwoman of the state Republican party.

Meanwhile, Wheeling police officers and firefighters will be out in full force during the event.

“Most, if not all, of the Wheeling Police Department are working (today),” said Philip Stahl, the public information officer for the police and Wheeling Fire Department. “There will be a heavy law enforcement presence in downtown Wheeling.”

Although several streets will be closed as the president’s motorcade makes its way from the airport to the arena, and some in downtown during the event, Stahl said the closures would not affect emergency response if someone has to call 911 this evening.

“We’ll find a way to get there,” he said.

Stahl also suggested that motorists who have to use the interstate system to travel through Wheeling use I-470 instead of I-70. The exit ramps to W.Va. 2 — Main Street — will be closed for a while Saturday evening, and traffic on I-70 is likely to be slow, he said.

Meanwhile, people venturing to Centre Market for Oktoberfest should not have any problems in that area. Stahl said the parking garage there will be open, and none of the streets in Center Wheeling will be closed for the president’s visit. Others looking to drive through the city or park there should look for posted signs that will help guide the way.

He did offer one piece of advice to those who want to see the president pass through.

“If you want to watch the motorcade, stay on the sidewalk,” Stahl said.