Streets closed for 'Oprah' block party

CHICAGO, Sept. 7 (UPI) -- Chicago's Michigan Avenue between Wacker Drive and Ohio Street was closed early Monday in preparation for Oprah Winfrey's season premiere block party.

The event, which is free and open to the public, is set to take place Tuesday afternoon in honor of the Season 24 premiere of "The Oprah Winfrey Show."

Scheduled to air on television Sept. 10, the episode is to feature appearances by the Black Eyed Peas, Criss Angel and Jennifer Hudson.

The Chicago Tribune said the streets will be re-opened to vehicular traffic at 5 a.m. Wednesday.

Until then, people will be allowed on the area's sidewalks and given access into its buildings, except possibly during the actual two-hour taping of the show, the newspaper said.

The entrance for the standing-room-only event is being set up at the intersection of Michigan and Ohio, and will open at noon Tuesday.

People will not be allowed to camp out there ahead of time and weapons, pets, coolers, professional recording devices and large beach umbrellas have reportedly been banned.