Headed to Indy fireworks? Arrive early

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - If you’re headed downtown Wednesday night for the Freedom Blast Forth of July celebration, organizers advise that you come prepared.

They expect crowds to be bigger than usual – prompted by bans on personal use of fireworks and canceled shows elsewhere. About 200,000 people usually turn out for the show. This year’s crowd could grow far beyond that.

Organizers also urged visitors to be sure to bring plenty of water for themselves. Though emergency supplies will be available, there won’t be enough to supply everyone who might want it.

And though there are more than 72,000 metered parking spaces in downtown Indianapolis – all free on the holiday Wednesday – organizers expect those to fill up by the afternoon. Streets around the Regions Bank Tower, where the show will be, will be closed this evening. So arrive early, they recommend.

Preparations were under way well before the start of the show. Organizers said extra emergency crews will be on hand, keeping a watchful eye out for any wayward embers that could spark fires in the severely dry conditions. But with the fireworks being shot off of a downtown high-rise, organizers say the danger is minimal.

Fireworks are set to start at 9:45 p.m.