BAY CITY -- Bay City is making its final preparations for an explosive special anniversary.

2012 marks the 50th year for the Bay City fireworks festival. The U.S. Coast Guard is on hand at Wenonah Park this afternoon to go over crowd control, bridge closures, safe anchoring spots and boater safety.

"We're actually shooting five thousand hells from the bridge," said fireworks president Doug Clark. "We will shoot five thousand shells from the surface of the bridge. There will be 15,000 shells on either side of the river. So 50,000 shells on the big night."

It will be the largest display ever in the state.  This year's three-day festival begins on Thursday.

Meanwhile Flint will hold its fireworks event tonight. The $30,000 display is sponsored by the Mott Foundation.  It will be held at dusk at the old Chevy in the Hole site.

Also in Saginaw, the fireworks will also be held tonight.  They are slated to be launched starting at 10:15 p.m. from Ojibway Island and should be able to be seen throughout the Saginaw area.