BUFFALO, N.Y. — Get the champagne ready, it’s almost time to christen the new USS Little Rock.

More than 9,000 people are expected to attend the commissioning ceremony Saturday morning, officially adding the ship to the U.S. Navy's fleet. 

Until the ceremony, the ship techncially doesn't have a name. The ship has been docked at Canalside for a week and will be the first in U.S. naval history to be commissioned next to its namesake. 

The commissioning officially marks the start of the ship’s use by the U.S. Navy as a high-tech combat ship.

Additional security measures will be in place for the ceremony, scheduled for 11 a.m. Saturday, and those who want to see the event are encourage to check the USS Little Rock’s commissioning website for more details. A security gate will be positioned at Main Street and Marine Drive. All guests must pass through the gate, which opens at 8 a.m., and will be required to show ID.