COLUMBIA, S.C. -- The skies above downtown Columbia will burst with light and color as the city hosts its annual New Year's Eve fireworks display at midnight.

News19 caught up with crews making final preparations for the highly anticipated event, which takes place on State House grounds.

"There's no reason not to come out and have a great time," said Harold Reaves, the City of Columbia's special events coordinator. "Then kick it off with the fireworks right here at Main and Gervais at the State House."

Reaves has been working for months to ensure the celebration is enjoyable but, more importantly, safe for everyone attending.

"As we prepare for tonight, we make sure the fire department, police department, emergency operations, 911 dispatchers, and our other partners with the South Carolina Department of Public Safety are all working together," Reaves explained. "We have a fluid plan in place."

That plan includes road closures around the Capitol building grounds starting at 6 p.m. The 900 block of Main Street will be the first to close, followed by closures of the 1100 and 1200 blocks of Pendleton Street and College Street around 10:30 or 11 p.m., Reaves added.

Attendees are encouraged to gather between the 1100 and 1200 blocks of Gervais Street or mid-block of 1200 Main Street for the best views of the fireworks.

"When we're ringing in the new year, it's really late at night," said Brent Munnerlyn, CEO and owner of Munnerlyn Pyrotechnics and Joe Dirt Fireworks, the company behind the show. "We try not to have a 25-minute show. We aim for intensity -- not too short, but not too long -- so typically, 15 minutes is our goal for a New Year's Eve show."

This year marks Munnerlyn Pyrotechnics' third year crafting the Capitol's fireworks display.

"The unique thing about Columbia is we're using higher-altitude shells," Munnerlyn said. "We'll be shooting four- and five-inch shells that go up 400 to 600 feet to get them above the State House."

According to Munnerlyn, this year's show will be slightly larger than previous years, featuring approximately 1,000 aerial shells during the 15-minute display.

"This is one of my favorite shows," Munnerlyn said with a smile. "It's not our biggest show, but it's not often you get to shoot for the State Capitol."

With safety measures in place and an unforgettable display planned, Columbia is ready to welcome 2025 in spectacular fashion.