CLEARWATER, Fla. --  It's the visit that Clearwater resident Penny Jones has been waiting for.

  • Trump is expected to arrive Tuesday
  • He will host a rally at the Florida State Fairgrounds
  • It is his first visit to Tampa since taking office

She's been a fan of President Donald J. Trump since before he took the Oath of Office.

And she's seen him in person four times, but never as president.

On Tuesday, that will change. Trump is expected to land in Tampa to attend a round table discussion at Tampa Bay Tech. From there, he's scheduled to speak at a rally at the Florida State Fairgrounds.

Jones designed and ordered a hundred custom shirts just for the occasion. She plans to get in line with her group early Tuesday morning.

"Then yesterday I started freaking out," she said. "Because 7 a.m. is just not early enough to go."

After driving the route on Saturday night in preparation, Jones decided it would be easier to get a hotel across the street from the fairgrounds on Monday night. That way, she could be in line first thing in the morning and have a chance to be front and center.

"Some people sleep there on the ground overnight and there's people that don't get in. I just need to make sure I get in and see President Trump," she said.

Preparations were in full swing on Thursday and Friday at Tampa Bay Tech, as workers painted and power washed the school.

Principal Michael Ippolito says he's excited his school was chosen.

"Unless they tell me I can't, I'll be here!" he said, referencing the presidential visit.

As for Jones, she's looking forward to hearing what the president has to say during his Tampa visit.

"I'm good to go!" she said.

The gates to Expo Hall are set to open at 4 p.m., while the rally is set for 7 p.m.

Numerous protests are planned to take place outside of the event.