UTICA, N.Y. -- Utica is known for a few things; its unique food, diverse community and especially the Boilermaker Road Race.
"Make sure it's ready for the 15K, the best road race in the USA at the Boilermaker in Utica, New York," Mayor Robert Palmieri said.
To help show off the city for arguably its most popular weekend, Mayor Palmieri joined other city officials and volunteers in tidying up the streets Wednesday.
It's part of his weekly sweeps initiative.
"It's kind of like Christmas in July and that's the feeling we want to have not only for our residents, but for a lot of the tourists that are coming in here," Palmieri said.
City police are also gearing up and getting ready for the big event.
"We're gonna have a full contingent of law enforcement officers from essentially around the state," said Charles Kelly, UPD Boilermaker Road Race law enforcement coordinator. "We get a lot of help from the New York State Police, the Oneida County Sheriff's Office, and all of those little jurisdictions that the Boilermaker runs through."
Security procedures have intensified in recent years. So far the Boilermaker has, for the most part, been a safe event.
"There's been no incidents of anyone getting hurt, but obviously we get calls into unified command center for different items, and then they have to be cleared by the multiple canine units that are here for Boilermaker Sunday," Kelly said.
Police say it's important for people not to rush and to always have a plan.
"Be vigilant," Kelly said. "If you see something out there that isn't right, there's several law enforcement officers on the track and at the post race party. Certainly get their attention and let them know what you're seeing."
Keeping Utica clean and safe for its big weekend.
The Health and Wellness Expo kicks off Boilermaker Weekend this Friday and Saturday.
The race gets underway Sunday morning.