MILWAUKEE - Getting to the lakefront Thursday night will be difficult.

The big fireworks show is Thursday night, and Lincoln Memorial Drive will be shut down around 5:30.

TODAY’S TMJ4’s Ty Milburn was out at the lakefront Thursday evening where the fireworks hadn’t started, but the party was well under way.

If you could sum up the day it is all about food, family, fun and fireworks.

Bruce Wendau was at the lakefront since 6:00 a.m. That is 6:00 a.m. WEDNESDAY to secure perhaps the best real estate on the lakefront to watch the fireworks. He's done it every year for the last 16 years.

“It’s a lot of fun,” Wendau said.

Wendau isn't alone. The land rush is on at the lakefront. Many have already set up shop, and many thousands more are on the way.

Heather Stapanski says she wouldn't miss it for all the money in the world.

“It's a family day, just camping out and having fun,” Stepanski said.

The fireworks are the main attraction of course, but there is plenty to do: playing games, eating food and passing down a family tradition to your kids.

“I have done it from a little kid on. It’s something we've always done and now just bring the kids up the same way,” Justin Wallace said.

Fireworks start at 9:30 Thursday night. It’s a 50 minute show.