CHICAGO -- "The Oprah Winfrey Show" is hitting the streets for its 24th season.

Winfrey will host and tape a free "kickoff party" with the Black Eyed Peas on Sept. 8 on the Mag Mile, producers said. The all-ages event will air nationally on the hour-long season premiere Sept. 10. Other guests will be announced in the near future.

"We wanted to bring the celebration to the fans, at a central location where everyone could join us," Harpo spokeswoman Angela DePaul said.

The city of Chicago has earmarked the intersection of Michigan Avenue and Ohio Street for the party. Fans will be allowed to enter the open-air studio at noon Tuesday. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Admission is on a first-come, first-serve basis. The two-hour taping will begin at 5 p.m., rain or shine. Space is standing room only.

Don't expect to receive a free car as show-goers did in the 19th season kickoff. Fans are urged to bring their own snacks and water. Video cameras and recording devices are prohibited.

The city, braced for thousands of fans to descend on the Mag Mile, will close Michigan Avenue between Wacker Drive and Ohio Street from midnight Sept. 7 through 5 a.m. Sept. 9.

Pedestrians will still have access to Michigan Avenue. Attendees are encouraged to take public transportation.

The Times broke the story of an Oprah-Black Eyed Peas surprise last month after the talk-show queen began recruiting dancers for a public event. "The Oprah Winfrey Show" taped a salute to Olympic athletes in Millennium Park for last year's opener.