SCRANTON -- One of several planned campaign stops in northeastern and central Pennsylvania took place Thursday in Scranton.
Democrat Bernie Sanders spoke to nearly 2,000 people at the Scranton Cultural Center.
"This is a fantastic turnout and it sounds to me like Scranton is ready for a political revolution," said Sanders as he began his address.
The Scranton Cultural Center was at capacity for Sanders' rally. His opponent, Hillary Clinton, is also hoping for big crowds at Dunmore High School where she will stop Friday evening.
The two are fighting for delegates in Pennsylvania and Bernie Sanders stressed how important this primary is.
In front of a crowd of close to 2,000 people in Scranton, Bernie Sanders acknowledged that his run for the Democratic nomination for president has been an uphill battle.
"When we began this race, they did national polling. Secretary Clinton was 60, 65 points ahead of us. In the last couple weeks, there were a couple of polls that had us ahead of her," Sanders said.
His speech was often interrupted by bouts of cheering for almost an hour.
His most dedicated supporters waited much longer than that in a line that rounded the block in downtown Scranton.
"Super excited, and it just goes to show that what he has to say resonates in the hearts of not only with this whole country but everyone in this whole area as well. It's just really exciting to be a part of it," said Amy Manerano of Scranton.
The crowd was characteristic of those at other Sanders rallies: lots of young people. Newswatch 16 met several attendees not yet old enough to vote in next week's primary.
"I'll be old enough to vote in August, so I can't vote in the primary but I will be able to vote in the general election," said Kathleen Brown of Dallas. "I'm happy to be here."
Ellie Sullum is still 17, too, but the campaign volunteer was asked to speak before Senator Sanders.
"We all saw this sea of people that just believed so much in the same ideas and it was an incredible energy," said Sullum. "I was so emotional, when he walked on stage I started crying just a little bit because of everything he represents, it just means so much to me."
Old Forge Mayor Robert Mulkerin was an outsider there as one of the only political insiders.
"I like that he's grassroots, that he's working hard himself, as he said. It starts at the bottom up, and I really can relate to that," said Mayor Mulkerin.
The rally was met with mild opposition from Donald Trump supporters. The event drew some people who aren't yet feeling the "Bern."
"I'm actually a Hillary supporter," said University of Scranton student Subhodeep Chakrabarty. "The reason why I came is to get both sides of the picture, and I think he has a lot of good ideas."
Sanders' event was the first in a string of events in northeastern Pennsylvania. He's followed by Hillary Clinton at Dunmore High school Friday evening.
Republican presidential hopeful Ted Cruz will stop in Williamsport and Scranton on Friday.
Newswatch 16's Dave Bohman conducted a one-on-one interview with Sanders before the event.
