WELLINGTON, Ohio — Just days ahead of former President Donald Trump's visit, the small town of Wellington, Ohio is preparing to welcome the polarizing political figure.
The city's population is currently no more than 5,000, but come Saturday, far more are expected.
"Something of this magnitude, I've never experienced in my lifetime," said Gene Hartman, Wellington Council President.
Trump is expected to make his first appearance in Ohio on June 26 with a "Save America Rally" in Lorain County.
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"It's exciting, It's chilling," says Cassie Bartos, a Trump supporter and Wellington resident.
And many supporters are already planning ahead to get the best seats in the house.
"A lot of people are going to be coming at five in the morning, or Friday night, sleeping in their cars," said Bartos. "I got friends that are coming out from other cities"
It's not hard to believe, either. Mike Boatman of Evansville, Indiana traveled six hours to see Trump this weekend. Rick Frazier of New Bremen also traveled a bit of distance to attend the rally, but says there are more people coming from locations even further away.
RELATED: 'Front Row Joes' arrive in Wellington ahead of former President Donald Trump's Saturday rally
"This one we have people as far as Buffalo, New York, Pennsylvania, a few other states coming," said Frazier, a member of the 'Front Row Joes.'
Secret Service told 3News' Marisa Saenz that the Lorain County Sheriff's Office, Wellington Police and Ohio State Highway Patrol are just a few of the law enforcement agencies who will help with security at the upcoming event.
This discovery prompted our 3News reporter to wonder, who exactly is paying for the rally?
"The village has no funding involved with this and I'm not exactly sure where the funding is coming from," said Hartman.
"The sheriff has indicated locals generally don't get reimbursed for expenses when a sitting or former President comes to Lorain County," the Lorain County Commissioner's Office said, however.
3News reached out to the Lorain County Sheriff's Office, top Trump officials and the Lorain County Fair Board, but did not receive a response by the time of publication.