Topcats headline parish fireworks show

This year’s fireworks show is scheduled to light up the sky for 20 minutes beginning at 9 p.m. on July 3.

For more than two decades, parish residents have made an annual trek to the West Bank Bridge Park during the Fourth of July week for an evening filled with music, food, fun and, most importantly, a fireworks show that is expected to last 20 minutes.

An average of 4,000 people gather to watch the fireworks show every year and gates will open at the park at 6 p.m. on July 3. The event will feature a performance by The Topcats, a patriotic balloon-twisting clown and a military flyover.

The band is scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m., with a fireworks extravaganza to start at 9 p.m.

The Topcats were voted best cover band in 1996, 1997, 1998 and 1999 by Offbeat Magazine’s "Best of The Beat" awards and were voted into the Louisiana Hall of Fame in 2005. The group has been playing together for 28 years and will make the crowd boogie with a variety of music that spans six decades.

The flyover will take place after the opening ceremony, and is scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m.

Spectators, who can bring in coolers and folding chairs, can also choose to chow down on some of the local delicacies that will be sold at seven vendors. Choices will include jambalaya, corn dogs, pulled pork sandwiches, hamburgers and hot dogs. Residents can also beat the heat with watermelon, frozen treats and snoballs.

While kids are waiting for the massive fireworks show, they can visit a patriotic balloon-twisting clown to get into the spirit of Independence Day.

Residents need to note that I-310 southbound and northbound off ramps to LA 18 will be closed 15 minutes prior to the fireworks and throughout the show. LA 18 will also be closed from Ashton Plantation Boulevard to the School Board Office.

Ashton Plantation Boulevard and Judge Edward Dufresne Parkway will both be closed at River Road for the duration of the 20-minute fireworks show.

The Hackberry Street gate will be open.

While residents can bring ice chests and folding chairs, pets and glass bottles are not allowed.