Milwaukee area sees busy night as both presidential candidates visit on Friday
MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Campaign rallies for both presidential candidates made Milwaukee a busy place Friday night, Nov 1. The traffic jams we saw earlier in the day both downtown and near Wisconsin State Fair Park were nonexistent in the 9 p.m. hour. People going to the rallies were indoors, but there were other events going on keeping things busy, like Halloween parties on this Halloween weekend.
A packed city translated into a bonus night for Joan the dog who got to wear a cute costume and got to walk to a party. Joan's owner learned from the Republican National Convention not to drive on nights like these.
"And with the RNC, we lived in the security zone so like we been through worse than this," said Hannah Barth, Halloween partier.
With a lot of meters covered, parking was challenging near Fiserv Forum, where Former President Donald Trump was hosting a rally.
"No complaints. Wedding was awesome, but traffic was tough, and we had to adapt on the fly," said Paul Piotrowski, wedding goer.
"Had an event that was supposed to be downtown that got canceled for that reason like I think people were like yea if I'm not going to a rally we're staying home," said Emily Berry from Shorewood.
A rally for former President Trump brought supporters out early in the day.
"We got here at like 4:45. It wasn't as cold as it is now when we got here, but I think that was also cause the crowd was blocking people," said Sophie Meyer from Hartford.
Things heated up as pro-union voices moved toward Fiserv shouting, "worker, power, worker, power."
But their message remained peaceful as police kept watch.
"Unions work hard to defend and expand the rights of working people. Will Trump do that? No," they shouted.
Just six miles away...
"Totally stocked, so excited," said Vashti Lozier from Shorewood.
Excitement was building outside Wisconsin State Fair Park to see Vice President Kamala Harris.
"I'm so excited. This is my first rally I've ever been to. So, I'm like super-duper excited," said Michelle Young from Milwaukee.
But traffic along 84th Street stretching back to the freeway dampened some of the highs.
"I got off the freeway because it wasn't moving at all, so I just came Wisconsin Avenue which was smooth until I got up here," said Valerie Nelson from Milwaukee.
"The traffic is bad, but we decided to park over here by the Halloween thing because Gate 5 will take forever," said Alicia Smith from Milwaukee.
Those who work nearby told us this resembles State Fair traffic. Sadly, it also led to some anxious feelings and to this fender bender involving two vehicles both headed to this Harris event.
"Little nervous that the Trump rally is not that far away, so just a little bit of concerns but overall feel pretty safe," said Young.