DETROIT – The countdown is officially on -- Detroit is just hours away from the Ford Fireworks.
The annual Detroit tradition is one of the biggest parties of the year along the Detroit River front. Hundreds of thousands of people will pack downtown Monday night to catch a glimpse of one of the best fireworks shows in the country.
Sunday was spent getting all those explosives ready to go off at just the perfect moment. Crews will work up until the last minute to make sure everything will go off without a hitch.
Monday night fireworks will light up the sky over the Motor City and on the ground police will be out in full force.
Belle Isle and the Michigan State Police are preparing for the crowds.
Lt. Michael Shaw with MSP and his team are working around the clock to make sure there aren't problems in the island.
How do you secure an event so big? Local 4 has learned it takes a village -- local, state and Homeland Security teams are working together.
Undercover officers will be in the crowds and investigators will be closely watching a network of cameras set up in Hart Plaza and along Jefferson Avenue, and police will even be positioned on some commercial buildings, keeping an eye on the action below.
No fireworks will be allowed on Belle Isle or Hart Plaza.
Children under 17 must be accompanied by an adult after 6 p.m. Monday. Belle isle will allow cars on site beginning at 2 p.m. but will stop once at capacity.