STRUTHERS — The Union Pacific Big Boy is scheduled to arrive Sunday in the city’s downtown for what Mayor Catherine Cercone Miller has described as a major event.

“This is the first time our city has ever seen anything this big, and possibly will ever see anything this big come through our downtown,” Miller said. “We’re expecting between (4,000) and 5,000 (people).”

At 133 feet and 1.2 million pounds, Big Boy No. 4014 is the world’s largest operating locomotive. It is traveling coast to coast to celebrate the nation’s 250th anniversary. Returning from Philadelphia, Big Boy will stop in Struthers at 11:30 a.m. While spectators can view the train, direct access will not be granted.

Parking has proven to be a challenge, with Miller saying that city officials are talking with downtown businesses to solve the issue.

“The parking has kind of been a logistical nightmare, but we’ve been working on it,” Miller said. “A lot of the local little places have agreed to let their parking lots be used for public parking, and then we also have 28 acres along the (Mahoning River). We’re hoping that’s where most of the people park, and we’re working with (adult-care agency) Purple Cat. They’ll be shuttling people back and forth.”

Portions of State and Bridge streets will be closed to traffic starting early Sunday morning. Nine public parking lots will be available in addition to three sites for permit holders. Handicapped parking will be set up at WesBanco Bank, 32 State St.

Aside from Purple Cat, the city is coordinating with several businesses to make the downtown area something for spectators and visitors to enjoy.

“We have a lot of vendors that are going to be set up. A lot of the business owners, we’ve been meeting with them to make sure everything goes smoothly,” Miller said. “We will have food, we will have different memorabilia from the Union Pacific Railroad. I’m sure there’s going to be a ton of photographers set up. We are just trying to make the entire downtown spectators-only.”

Working with JAC Management, live entertainment will take place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Staging will be at the ECMSI building, 158 S. Bridge St.

One business that’s been working with the city is Selah Restaurant, owned by Brian Palumbo.

“We will not be opening the actual restaurant that day, but we’ll be setting up food stations in the parking lot,” Palumbo said. “We’ll be doing sausage sandwiches, kielbasa sandwiches (and) we’ll have a beer truck here.”

Palmubo said that the theater company Top Hat Productions, which he is director of, will be hosting a fundraiser at the event in coordination with several high schools.

A number of safety measures are also planned for the event, including barriers to make sure people don’t get too close to the train according to Struthers’ Safety Director Anthony Lariccia.

“There’s barriers set up. You’re only allowed 25 feet from the Big Boy train … Union Pacific, they specifically ask for that when they come through town,” Lariccia said. “Our police are just well trained in large groups and events, same thing with our fire (department).”

The Youngstown Police Department will provide drone services.

DORA IN EFFECT

On Monday, Struthers City Council at a special meeting passed an ordinance to create a Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area, or DORA.

Selah Restaurant, Donavito’s Restaurant & Catering and Monk’s Pub & Grub will be selling beer for outdoor consumption to visitors of legal drinking age. Patrons also can walk around with an open can or bottle of beer in the designated area.

The DORA will be in effect between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Sunday only.