BUFFALO, N.Y. – After two weeks of fanfare, the new USS Little Rocks officially enters service tomorrow when it’s commissioned at Canalside next to its namesake.
But with celebrations beginning as early as 8 a.m. and going well into the afternoon, the weather presents health concerns.
There's a tent set up, but it's only for dignitaries. Everyone else is expected to sit in chairs currently set up in grassy area that’s covered with snow.
The Canalside commissioning committee says it will have escorts to help those with trouble walking over slippery areas, but it won’t be helping with the cold.
“Those people will also be escorted through Canalside to their designated area and will be given assistance in sitting down,” said Daniel Mecca of the USS Little Rock commissioning committee.
“The good thing is the folks at Canalside have spent their time clearing the snow, so our intention is that we'll be working on the snow and have it clear for the morning."
The commissioning committee says the drop off spot for the ceremony is the corner of Washington and Scott streets, with the entrance at Main Street and Marine Drive.
Transportation will also help people who may struggle to walk or who use wheelchairs get through security.
The commissioning committee will not be providing extra tents nor outdoor heaters.
With temperatures expected to be in the mid-twenties, wind chill could make that feel like the teens.
The dress code originally called for military guests to wear service blue and civilians to dress businesslike, but the committee says abandon ship.
"In a perfect world, we could have that kind of freedom to wear what it called for, but people really need to dress for the weather. This is a 90 minute ceremony, so they can expect to be outside for longer than that, maybe two hours, maybe three hours, so we're telling people to check the forecast, dress appropriately, don't worry about what you're wearing, it's better to stay warm,” Mecca said.
It’s on guests to dress for the weather and decide if they’re comfortable and healthy enough to attend.
“AMR medical service has been part of security planning and operations planning of the event, so it's my understanding that they will have some extra staff on standby in the event there is an issue,” Captain Jeff Rinaldo of the Buffalo Police Department said.
If you or a loved one decides Saturday morning it’s just too cold to attend, Channel 2 will live stream the commissioning on WGRZ.com.