Safety, security top priorities ahead of Aquatennial fireworks finale
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Thousands of people are expected to attend the 83rd Aquatennial celebration, and organizers say keeping guests safe is top of mind.
The four-day event ends with a firework show on the Mississippi riverfront Saturday night in downtown Minneapolis.
The Aquatennial celebration brings back memories for some Minnesotans.
“We used to do the Aquatennial parade when I was a kid. It was pretty fun. We’d decorate our boats and sail up here from Hastings,” Minneapolis resident Chris Benson said. “It was a crazy fun thing.”
Mark Remme, Minneapolis Downtown Council communications and research director, helped organize the event. He said keeping guests safe is most important.
“Aquatennial always prioritizes safety each year and so we work very closely with our law enforcement agencies and outreach teams,” Remme said. “We certainly have a lot of different agencies [who] will be here tonight.”
Remme said a security plan was in the works several weeks before the event started. A series of barricades still sits along Second Street between Fifth and 11th avenues.
Minneapolis police said they’re using the barriers to deter crime after illegal street racing and dangerous activity on the Fourth of July.
According to the Aquatennial website, the event will be equipped with over 10 safety teams to make sure people are in place to respond if needed.
Some who live in the Mill District say people should leave their doubts at home and come check out the Aquatennial festivities.
“It’s a city, there are lots of people here. When you have lots of people, some things are going to happen. It’s still a great city,” Mill District resident Emory Rosenow said.
The firework show starts at 10 p.m.
Metro Transit is offering free rides from 8 p.m. until midnight.