The final touches are being put on the Capital City as it gets ready to celebrate Missouri's Bicentennial Parade and Ball on Saturday.
Celebrations begin with the parade at 10 a.m. and continue with an ice cream social at the Governor's Mansion immediately after. The Bicentennial Inaugural Ball is also Saturday evening at the Capitol North Lawn.
Additionally, the Capitol will be housing Missouri's professional sports championship trophies and other community engagement items from 8 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Saturday.
Kelli Jones, communications director for the Governor's Office, said the organizers are expecting well over 3,000 people to participate in Saturday's events.
As of Thursday, Jones said 2,200 had RSVP'd for the ball, but the Governor's Office isn't tracking potential attendance for the parade, ice cream social or other activities.
The parade, which has nearly 100 participants, will begin outside the Capitol on High Street.
Sgt. Andrew Lenart, Community Services Division supervisor with the Jefferson City Police Department, said he is expecting a good turnout for the parade, but the department doesn't have crowd estimates.
"It is going to be a pretty impressive parade with a lot of impressive floats, so I would expect - I would hope the turnout is good because I think it's going to be a good parade," Lenart said.
He said the police department is working in conjunction with several state agencies in preparation for street closures around the Capitol.
The police department is also assisting the state throughout the parade with officers stationed at intersections, leading the parade and providing tail cars for the parade.
There are 95 parade participants with around 130 pieces as some participants have multiple vehicles.
The parade will feature Budweiser Clydesdales, University of Marching Mizzou, JC Penney's 1947 Cadillac, a float from the boyhood hometown of Walt Disney and more.
Every state agency and many elected officials are also participating in the parade.
Jones said the 1.5-mile parade route leaves a good amount of space for participants to spread out while moving.
The parade will also be live streamed with Ned Reynolds and Kermit Miller announcing on the governor's Facebook page.
Lenart suggested Jefferson City residents and visitors be patient with road closures and potential traffic congestion Saturday morning.
He also suggested parade goers use common sense safety measures, like locking vehicles, keeping valuables nearby and being aware of surroundings, but the police department isn't expecting any major threats.
Mayor Carrie Tergin said the city has been promoting Saturday's events and reminding local businesses about planned road closures and the expected influx of people.
Tergin suggested Jefferson City residents have the parade and events on their calendars and plan to go.
"This is really going to be a parade that will be very exciting and something we really haven't seen before," Tergin said.
The governor and first lady will host an ice cream social with 1,000 free scoops from the Ice Cream Factory immediately after the parade.
Throughout the morning and afternoon, Super Bowl trophies for the Kansas City Chiefs and St. Louis Rams, a replica St. Louis Blues Stanley Cup trophy, and World Series trophies from the Kansas City Royals and St. Louis Cardinals will be on display at the Capitol Rotunda.
The Missouri Bicentennial Quilt and mural, and the Missouri State Parks Quilt, will also be on display.
On Saturday evening, Missourians will be gathering at the newly constructed portico on the north end of the Capitol for a night of live music from Branson's The Duttons.
The Bicentennial Inaugural Ball, which is black-tie optional, will begin at 6:30 p.m. with the Grand March of elected officials, but check-in begins at 5 p.m. on the east and west sides of the Capitol Building.
The bicentennial celebration and night will end with a fireworks display at 9:30 p.m. over the Missouri River.