Find out what time the gates open for the event... and be there at least 30-45 minutes before then and stand in line.
I went to the Palin Rally in Carson, CA on Saturday... gates opened at 11:30... which is when I got there... the line was already snaked 1/2 around the soccer stadium.
Gee, and you don't hear about this stuff from the lamestream media! I wonder why? (LOL!)