Travelers should expect road closures and traffic delays as well as minor flight disruptions ahead of President Donald Trump’s visit to the Flathead Valley on Wednesday.  

Trump's campaign rally at Majestic Valley Arena will spur traffic congestion between Kalispell and Whitefish, especially on U.S. 93, where the venue is located. Those flying out of Glacier Park International Airport may also experience slight boarding delays as Trump touches down and departs from the tarmac.  

The commander in chief’s visit is part of a last-minute tour aimed at securing GOP wins in the upcoming midterm elections. The rally is likely to include some shout-outs to Aaron Flint, the Republican candidate competing with Democrat Sam Forstag for Montana’s western congressional district.  

Ticketholders vying to see Trump in-person are barred from arriving at the Majestic Valley Arena before designated parking opens at 12 p.m. Anyone arriving beforehand or loitering near the arena will be turned away by law enforcement to avoid traffic congestion, according to the Flathead County Sheriff’s Office.  

Carpooling is encouraged owing to limited parking, according to the Sheriff’s Office.  

Residents were asked to plan ahead, allow extra travel time and avoid the area if possible. 

Additional information regarding specific road closures and timing will be shared as it becomes available, according to the Sheriff’s Office.  

Sheriff Brian Heino did not respond to multiple requests for comment before press time.  

LATER AFTERNOON and early evening travelers may have to wait up to an hour to board their planes if it coincides with Trump arriving or departing from Glacier International Airport, according to Director Rob Ratkowski.  

Flights are not being rescheduled in advance because the exact timing of Trump’s visit is fairly variable, Ratkowski said.  

“The airport’s going to continue to operate as normal as much as we can, and there are no anticipated major impacts right now. But please just be patient,” he said.  

Ratkowski declined to say what aircraft Trump would arrive in, or which hangar would be used, citing security concerns. He did say that the president would not pass through the terminal.  

A temporary flight restriction was placed over Kalispell between 4:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m., Oct. 14, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.  

Ratkowski said the airport will incur a negligible cost to accommodate Trump’s visit. 

TRUMP’S VISIT caught Kalispell City Manager Jarod Nygren by surprise, leaving municipal officials tasked with quickly coordinating traffic control and emergency services ahead of Wednesday’s rally.  

Kalispell residents should expect traffic delays by the afternoon. Police will also be present across the entire city, especially around its northern edge, Nygren said.  

“If you’re on the north end of town, your day is going to be a bit different on Wednesday,” he said. “There is going to be a lot of disruption.” 

Nygren said he doesn’t know how much it will cost the city to accommodate the event, but that there will be a price tag tied to it.  

Councilor Kyle Waterman said during Monday’s City Council meeting that he was excited for the presidential visit.  

“I can see why he would come to Kalispell because we’re the greatest city in America. I know that city staff, police and firefighters will do their best to make sure that we are a city that’s proud,” said Waterman, who is the Democratic candidate for state Senate District 4. 

THE FLATHEAD County Republican Central Committee is helping prepare for the rally and is in contact with the White House, according to Chair Giuseppe Caltabiano.  

The committee will be supplying local law enforcement and medical personnel with plenty of food and drink, including "sandwiches and, obviously, doughnuts," Caltabiano said.  

"Obviously, there are also the Secret Services. I do not know if they will have their own food, but we just said we'll take care of you guys, whoever you are, how many you are," he added.  

The committee is gathering volunteers from around the valley to help. Caltabiano said he didn't know how many volunteers were involved, but that it was a large number.  

"We are just the grassroots support for this. We want to be able to help and support with all sorts of resources," Caltabiano said.  

Caltabiano said the rally is a celebration of the president coming to town and called for people across the political spectrum "to have an attitude of respect and unity for the office of the president, because the office of the president belongs to the whole country, not to half of the country."  

The Majestic Valley Arena declined to provide details about the event.  

Reporter Jack Underhill can be reached at 406-758-4407 or [email protected]. If you value local journalism, pledge your support at dailyinterlake.com/support.