MADISON, Wis. -- Organizers and Madison police are preparing for the annual Rhythm & Booms fireworks celebration Saturday at Warner Park.

The event starts at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, and 250,000 people are expected throughout the day at the park. Fireworks will begin at dusk, WISC-TV reported.

"There are very few cities in the United States today that can support an event like Rhythm & Booms as large as that, and have it be peaceful, friendly and cooperative in a way we can here in southern Wisconsin. We should be as proud of that achievement as the event itself," said Terry Kelly, president of the Madison Fireworks Fund.

Officials said that 200 local police officers will be on duty, including the horse patrol. Police requested that people don't bring pets or alcohol to the event.

"Please leave your grills and fireworks at home. Leave the fireworks up to the professionals on this day and also sparklers," said Gregg Knudston, Madison fire chief. "Last year we had a lot of kids with sparklers and the wires get left behind and (could) possibly cause injuries to future visitors of the park."

For the first time, there will be live music after the fireworks this year and concession stands will remain open in an effort to help ease congestion so everyone is not trying to leave the park at the same time, WISC-TV reported.

Madison Metro will again provide shuttles starting at 3 p.m. from Madison Area Technical College Truax parking lot. It will cost $4 to park and $4 for the roundtrip shuttle.

There will also be a shuttle from Madison's West Side at Hill Farms Transportation Building.

Officials are urging people to arrive early and to park their vehicles facing the direction they plan on leaving.

Those who want music to accompany the fireworks can find the synchronized soundtrack on WOLX Radio.