Thousands attend Harris' massive campaign rally on Ben Franklin Parkway

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) — The Harris campaign's massive election eve rally on Benjamin Franklin Parkway in Center City drew thousands of participants Monday night.

The lines for the event were so long that some people waited all the way back to Logan Square. The security checkpoint was on 22nd Street.

Pennsylvania Senator Bob Casey and Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker opened the event.

“We are all gathered here tonight, and to be precise, 248 years ago our democracy was born. Regardless of what we hear from this other man, remember: We live in the greatest nation in the world,” she told the crowd.

“I want to thank you all for being here and what you are doing for our community and our country at this moment. All the work that is done, all the doors that are knocked on – it is thanks to your work. And we appreciate that commitment to our country at this critical time,” Casey said.

The event, held directly in front of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, was both a concert and a rally.

People came to see the star-studded lineup including Lady Gaga, Oprah, The Roots, Jazmine Sullivan, Freeway and Just Blaze, DJ Cassidy, Fat Joe, DJ Jazzy Jeff, Ricky Martin and Adam Blackstone.

At the end of the evening, Vice President Kamala Harris was scheduled to appear around 11 p.m

The event marks the final push before Election Day for the Harris campaign to make its mark in Pennsylvania, a key battleground state.

City officials told Action News they are ready to prepare for upcoming events on Election Day, Tuesday.

“We have expanded our control area, we have expanded our staffing levels in the next few days. Some people may be concerned about tonight's event. We have a full staff on site. “We will be ready to respond to whatever happens tomorrow and whatever arises this week,” noted Philadelphia Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel.

Harris and Trump's final push before Election Day takes them to the same part of Pennsylvania

Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump made their final addresses to voters in the same parts of Pennsylvania around the same time Monday, focusing on the state that could help or hurt their chances on the final full day of the presidential campaign.

In Pittsburgh, Trump gave what his campaign aides described as his closing statement after his previous attempt – a mass rally at New York's Madison Square Garden – was derailed by crude and racist jokes. He has also distracted the message with falsehoods about voter fraud and invocations of violence.

MORE INFORMATION | Live updates on the 2024 election in the Philadelphia region and with a focus on Pennsylvania

“Over the last four years, Americans have suffered one catastrophic failure, betrayal and humiliation after another,” the Republican candidate said, sounding hoarse but energetic after speaking for hours each day.

The crowd exploded in cheers as the Republican candidate said the country should tell Harris: “You're fired,” his catchphrase from “The Apprentice,” the reality TV show that made him a nationally recognized star.

Harris, the Democratic nominee, spent all of Monday in Pennsylvania and was on her way to Pittsburgh while Trump was speaking there.

“This is it,” Harris said in Pittsburgh in front of the Carrie Furnaces, a historic steel plant that commemorates the city’s industrial heritage. “Tomorrow is election day and the momentum is on our side.”

“We have to finish strong,” she added. “Make no mistake, we will win.”

With 19 Electoral College votes, the state is the biggest prize of all the battlegrounds. A Trump victory there would break the Democrats' “blue wall” and make it harder for Harris to win the necessary 270 votes.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.