New London – The city’s entire police force will be mobilized next weekend as an estimated 300,000 people descend on the city for the 39th annual Sailfest.

Chief Administrative Officer Steven Fields said behind-the-scenes preparations to keep the public safe have been part of the regular meetings taking place with the fire and police departments, along with a host of partners expected to lend a hand for this year’s event.

Fields is a former lieutenant colonel for the state police and a longtime volunteer for the event who has had input on safety planning in the past. This year’s event runs from July 8-10.

Along with the more than 70 officers from the city's police department, Fields said agreements are in place with police and fire departments from surrounding towns, along with other agencies that include the FBI and U.S. Coast Guard.

He declined to discuss any specifics of the planning but acknowledged “new challenges going on in this society.”

He said the city hosts a unified incident command center where all activities and patrols, both on land and on the water, are monitored during the event.

Certain streets will be closed to vehicular traffic starting on Saturday - including portions of Bank, State and South Water streets - to accommodate the food and crafts booths and children's rides set up in the downtown area.

A list of road closing and the schedule of complete list of Sailfest events is available on flyers distributed at the event and at Sailfest.org

As in the past, coolers, backpacks and strollers will not be allowed to be left unattended at Waterfront Park and there will be check points before entering the waterfront. Police urge visitors to carry personal items in clear plastic bags.

Fields urged people to have fun but also report anything suspicious to police.

One of the major draws for Sailfest will be Saturday evening’s fireworks display. Other municipalities such as Norwich and Hartford have canceled their fireworks due to cost concerns.

Barbara Neff, executive director of the volunteer Sailfest Committee, said with planning made so far in advance there was never any serious consideration of canceling the fireworks. It’s unclear if the absence of other fireworks events in the state might lead to more visitors to New London’s event.

The Sailfest fireworks are paid for by the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation with associated costs covered by sponsorship and vendor fees.

“We work very hard to cover costs we have to cover each year,” Neff said.

She said the consideration of costs will be an ongoing discussion for next year’s event.

Confident safety concerns are fully covered, Neff said visitors should concentrate on events and the 250 vendors slated to appear for this year’s event. Vendors, music venues and children’s activities will be set up not only at Waterfront Park but on downtown city streets.

Neff said a Sailfest committee of three dozen people has been meeting weekly and the group expects 75 to 100 volunteers to help with the event this year.

Along with dealing with a host of last-minute preparations, Neff is the city’s dockmaster and said she expects 37 boats will use city moorings during the event. The city’s Port Authority has contracted for a boat shuttle to provide a way for visitors to get to shore.

Neff said the event gets better each year thanks to not only the Sailfest committee but the consultants brought in to give ideas about what can be done to make the event a success - and she fully expects a successful event.

g.smith@theday.com