By Jane Prendergast
The Cincinnati Enquirer

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If you're navigating downtown Cincinnati this morning, you'll begin to notice signs that Tall Stacks is near - the first traffic detours start today.

The huge five-day event along the Ohio Riverfront officially starts Wednesday, but preparing for the safety of the half-million people expected to take in the five-day event has gone on for months.

None of the previous four Tall Stacks events, which started with Cincinnati's bicentennial in 1988, had significant safety problems. But to make sure that's the case again, more than 100 Cincinnati police officers will be dedicated to the festival each day, with many assigned to traffic posts, said Capt. James Whalen, District 1 commander.

TALL STACKS GUIDE

Planning your visit General information:  • Getting there  • Rules  • Tickets  • Weather forecast Schedules:  • Daily events  • Concerts & theater  • Sawyertown (Kids)  • On the Kentucky side Cincinnati.Com's Tall Stacks section

"It's similar to Riverfest for us, but five days in a row," he said. "You're talking about 100,000 extra people downtown every day."

Karen Bender, marketing director for Tall Stacks, said there have been discussions about security in light of the ongoing concern of terrorism after the Sept. 11 attacks.

"You can't say that Tall Stacks is any different than, say, the New Orleans Jazzfest," Bender said. "This is a safe event. And we're preparing for it to be a safe event."

The Coast Guard has not yet released its river rules for pleasure boaters during the event, but commercial vessels such as riverboats always have the right of way on the river.

Starting at 7 a.m. today, Mehring Way will be closed between Broadway and Pete Rose Way. Wednesday, the closure broadens to eastbound and westbound traffic from Elm Street to Broadway.

It will stay closed until the morning of Oct. 20, except for being opened temporarily Oct. 19 for Bengals game traffic.

Police and event organizers issue these reminders:

• No matter where you park, don't leave items in your car that can be stolen.

• No coolers, beverages or food. No pets, except for trained guide animals.

• No weapons, foul/abusive language, photography tripods, backpacks, lawn chairs, recreational sporting goods or umbrellas with pointed ends.

• On-shore alcohol sales end every night at 10 p.m.

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Email jprendergast@enquirer.com