Whatever you do, allow plenty of time. That's the advice from Cincinnati police to the hundreds of thousands of people headed to the banks of the Ohio River tonight to take in the Third Federal Riverfest and 26th annual Toyota/WEBN Fireworks show.

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        Downtown streets close at 5 p.m., and traffic delays are expected, police said. Roughly 500,000 people are expected to turn out for the 31-minute, 30-second display, which lights the sky beginning at 9:05 p.m.

        The show, shot off from four locations - two barges and the Taylor-Southgate and L&N bridges - can be seen from the riverbanks in Newport, Covington and Cincinnati, as well as from hillsides and high-rises across town.

        Crews from Loveland-based Rozzi's Famous Fireworks spent Saturday completing the finishing touches on the show.

        “We were worried about the weather, so we're getting it done early,” production director Joe Rozzi said Saturday morning. “There are just some last-minute preparations (today). There will be constant safety checks, checking and re-checking, checking and rechecking. Safety is No. 1.”

        To help keep the crowds safe, uniformed and plain-clothed Cincinnati police officers will be on patrol.

        Alcohol is not permitted. Glass or metal containers, umbrellas and pets also are not allowed.

        In Ohio, all coolers and similar items are subject to inspection. In Kentucky, no coolers are permitted.

        The view should be clear. Sunday night's forecast calls for partly cloudy skies with lows in the mid-60s. No rain is predicted. Mr. Rozzi said details of the show and soundtrack are being kept secret, but crowds on both sides should expect “a real treat.” The show took more than six weeks to put together.

        A typical Riverfest show has 7,300 effects - 2,600 of them in the two-minute finale. The fireworks display is controlled by four computers, with another four computers on hand for backup.

        “There will be all kinds of new things, and that's all I'm going to tell,” Mr. Rozzi said.

        Enquirer reporter Jim Knippenberg contributed.

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