ROBERTSDALE, Ala. — People lined up the length of both sides of the Baldwin County Annex in the rain to get into the main auditorium Tuesday afternoon. The crowd, ranging from men and women in business suits to workers in neat t-shirts and jeans was quiet, polite, but insistent on getting in.

Were they after one of the five “golden tickets” to Willie Wonka’s chocolate factory? Looking for tickets to the Super Bowl?

No. Something better. A job ot ThyssenKrupp’s new steel plant in Calvert. The plant is scheduled to begin full operation in 2010 and will employ about 2700 says Mary Mullins, a spokesperson for ThyssenKrupp.

We are happy to be bucking the trend,” said Mullins. “There’s a big turnout, a lot of excitement, and by the time 2010 comes along, we will be rarin’ to go.”

Marvin Lee of Fairhope had a ream of forms with him as he filled out a paper application.

“These are DD-214 forms,” said Lee, indicating the government form that shows a veteran has been honorably discharged. Lee also had paperwork showing the various schools the Army had sent him to. He says he’s had “about eight” different specialties while in the Army.

“I saw an ad in the paper and I have done construction, among other things,” said Lee, indicating that he’d put an application in with the company building the plant.

“I saw an ad in the paper and I have been looking for employment, so I thought I would apply,” said Lee.

Thomas Jones of Foley also comes from the military.

“I just can’t find anything in my background,” said Jones, who said that he had been a weapon systems engineer in the Navy. He also did a stint in the Merchant Marine.

“I can fix anything,” Jones said, adding that he came back to this area from overseas to be with family.

“I am glad to see something of this caliber come to the area,” said Jones.

Susan Lovett, the personnel director for the Baldwin County Commission was gratified to see the crowd.

“I had no idea this many would show up,” said Lovett.

“The county has a hiring freeze right now, and this is all about supplying jobs. We are delighted to co-host the fair. We’re just excited that so many people are interested,” said Lovett.

If you missed the job fair, don’t despair. Online applications for the plant are still being accepted. For hourly operator and maintenance positions, go to jobs.aidt.edu/steel.

For professional and salaried positions, go to thyssenkruppnewusplant.com. Both sites give instructions on how to apply.