Being inside the arena when nothing is happening onstage is just as exciting as when the stage is graced with the likes of Donald Trump, Ben Carson, and Paul Ryan. Although the pomp and circumstance, dramatic speeches, and state-by-state votes occurred in the evening, the Quicken Loans Arena was full of Republicans and action the entire day.

While the arena stage was empty, the many shops and stalls in the hallways surrounding the arena floor, as well as outside the arena proper, were full of shoppers. Since Progressive Field, the home of the Cleveland Indians, was being used as a security checkpoint, the stalls and visitors spread into the otherwise empty stadium as well. Stores selling everything from “Hillary for Prison” t-shirts to popcorn to wood carvings bustled with delegates and guests. The party atmosphere I felt on the first day continued the entire time.

Inside the arena, various speakers came to the stage to rehearse, do microphone checks, and ensure that everything would move smoothly that evening. The group of speakers reciting the Pledge of Allegiance, the Patriotic Nationality Ambassadors, ran through the pledge twice. Various people in attendance stood both times. 

Credentialed guests, delegates, and press also wandered around the entire arena. The press kept busy interviewing and filming as everyone else engaged in conversation and went shopping. As my job is to follow the Illinois delegation, I met with one of the delegates, Brad Schonder, from Addison, IL (in the 8th Congressional district). Mr. Schonder is a “100% supporter” of Donald Trump and was happy with the way things had proceeded so far in the convention. According to him, the Illinois delegation had not done anything of too much interest in the past few days. Instead of meeting, they had held a celebration at Cleveland’s North Coast Harbor Sunday evening and spent all of Monday on the floor voting. 

I also briefly interviewed Carl Toepel from Sheboygan County, Wisconsin. Mr. Toepel had attended Western Illinois University and was at his 11th convention, having attended his first when he was 17 (he is currently 77). Like Mr. Schonder, Mr. Toepel is also a huge Trump supporter. 

I hope to get in touch with other Illinois delegates as the week proceeds. If you have questions you’d like me to ask the Illinois delegates, tweet me @GarethCordery