"This year, unlike other years, we have a lot of events," said Rick Torres, the city's street maintenance supervisor. "We're going to have our hands full. There's just the potential for a major traffic jam."

But Torres is confident a few extra steps taken by Celebrate Saratoga! sponsor the Saratoga Chamber of Commerce, the city and the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office will keep the increased traffic from capsizing any of the events.

This year, as in years past, Big Basin Way between Saratoga­Los Gatos Road and Sixth Street will be closed to traffic from 2 p.m. Sept 21 to 1 a.m. Sept. 22. St. Charles Street, which connects Oak Street to Sixth Street, will also be closed to cut down on traffic jams in that area.

There will be no parking allowed on Oak or Sixth streets, and one side of Komina Avenue will also be no parking.

Motorists who need to get to and from Highway 9 will be redirected on Oak and Sixth streets, he said. But those going to see singer Chris Isaak perform at the Mountain Winery that evening will be encouraged to travel from Saratoga-Sunnyvale Road up Pierce Road to Highway 9 in order to reach the venue.

In addition, in an effort to cut down on traffic to the event, visitors to Celebrate Saratoga! are encouraged to park at Saratoga High School, Saratoga Presbyterian Church (across from the high school), the Argonaut Shopping Center or West Valley College's lot 5 and take shuttle buses to the event, which come every 15 minutes, Torres said. The event has included the shuttle service for many years but this year has added the West Valley lot.

Also, the city will use two lighted message board signs to reinforce the shuttle service and reroute traffic. One, asking fair visitors to use the shuttle, will be located on Saratoga Avenue near Scotland Drive, and another, asking Mountain Winery visitors to use Pierce Road, will be located on Saratoga-Sunnyvale Road at Cox Avenue.

The city will also have other signs posted on Saratoga­Los Gatos Road at Fruitvale Avenue and on Saratoga Avenue at Herriman Drive, Torres said. In addition, Torres will try to have a couple more maintenance staff members on hand to maintain traffic barricades and clean up after the event—he usually has between six and eight; this year he's hoping for 10 or 11.

Sheriff's office Sgt. Ted Atlas is working with the Chamber and the city to prepare for sheriff's coverage of the event. He said deputies will be controlling traffic at the intersection of Oak Street and Saratoga­Los Gatos Road as well as throughout the area to help traffic run more smoothly. There will also be a sheriff's office presence at the event and additional beat officers on patrol, he said.

Those who brave the storm for Celebrate Saratoga!, however, will be in for a variety of tempting treats and activities. From 5:30 to 10:30 p.m., about 30,000 visitors are expected to descend on Big Basin Way to enjoy six live bands on six different stages, the offerings of 12 wineries and 15 restaurants and a fun zone for children complete with games and bouncing apparatus, said the Chamber's executive director Kristin Davis.

The event will include home-made cotton candy—"We actually spin it ourselves"—and the "world-famous hot bead necklaces," which include some blinking lighted beads, Davis said. "We always sell out on them; they're really popular."

Saratoga's youth commission will also be back to raise money for the Warner Hutton House by selling light ropes.

"It should be great," Davis said. "It's an amazing night. Kids in strollers, people in their 80s and everybody in-between. Celebrate is just able to encompass everyone, and everyone has a good time."