Grand Forks is preparing for a visit of a presidential scale.
Early Wednesday evening, it involved some actual scaling.
Motorists, bikers and pedestrians gawked as Patrick Garry climbed up the west side of the Sorlie Bridge, nearly 30 feet above Demers Avenue.
Garry, a rigger at HG Light & Sound, was installing an antenna to help broadcast former President Bill Clinton's speech, scheduled for Saturday morning near the flood obelisk south of the bridge.
The public is invited to the event, which is scheduled to start at 10:45 a.m. The public is asked to arrive at 10:15 a.m.
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HG Sound & Light owner Jamie Lunski stood safely on the sidewalk while Garry installed the antenna, which will transmit back to City Hall, where the speech will be broadcast on the city's Channel 2.
"It's all part of the city's Public Information Center," Lunski said. "We'll also be broadcasting from the meeting rooms, the banquet hall and the arena at the Alerus Center."
Lunski said the company will use two cameras to videotape the outdoor event and have a trailer parked under the bridge that will act as a control room.
"I need to get this up and tested since we have so many things going on Saturday," he said.
A worn out Garry finally made his way down after a half an hour on the bridge. He struggled with a mount coupling and had a small window to place the antenna so it could shoot at City Hall between two other buildings.
"Between trying to be cautious and not drop anything, it's tiring," he said.
Bieri is a Herald staff reporter. Reach him at (701) 780-1118; (800) 477-6572, ext. 118; or send email to cbieri@gfherald.com .
