This year’s 25th annual Independence Day Celebration will feature even more fireworks, local bands and “an even more spectacular grand finale.”
“The fireworks show will not be longer but will include more shells and an even more spectacular grand finale,” said Parish government spokeswoman Renee Simpson. “We anticipate more than a thousand people attending the event within the park and even more watching the fireworks show on both banks of the river.”
The celebration will be held 6 to 9 p.m. July 3 at the West Bank Bridge Park, 13825 River Road, featuring a performance by popular local band the Bucktown All-Stars. The event will also feature two patriotic balloon-twisting clowns, mini golf for the kids (Logan’s Little Greens), food sold by local nonprofit organizations, giveaways and more.
An opening ceremony featuring a flag raising by a local Boy Scout Troop, the national anthem and the recitation of the parish’s Independence Day proclamation will begin at about 6:15 p.m.
The band is scheduled to begin at about 6:25 p.m. A 20-minute fireworks extravaganza will begin at 9 p.m.For the past 23 years, the band has performed a mix of rock, soul, funk, rhythm and blues and legendary New Orleans classics.
The band has been the recipient of numerous accolades and awards, including several Gambit Reader’s Choice and Offbeat Best of the Beat awards. The band was also named New Orleans’ favorite local band in 2000 and 2009 by the readers of New Orleans Magazine and in 2009 by the readers of Jefferson Life Magazine.
Local nonprofit organizations will sell food and drinks at the event, to include nachos, candy, pulled pork, watermelon, jambalaya, drinks, French fries, corn dogs, hamburgers, hot dogs, chips and pickles. Glow necklaces and American flags will also be available for sale. Vendors will be located in the West Bank Bridge Park’s concession stand and permanent shelters.
I-310 southbound and northbound off ramps to River Road (LA 18) will be closed 15 minutes prior to the fireworks and throughout the show, and River Road (LA 18) will be closed from Ashton Plantation Boulevard to the School Board Office.
Pets, glass bottles and poppers are not allowed within the West Bank Bridge Park; however, guests are allowed to bring their own adult beverages, ice chests and folding chairs to the event. In addition, the state fire marshal has ordered that no one be allowed to enter or leave the park for up to 30 minutes before and after the fireworks show.
The West Bank Bridge Park will be closed the afternoon of July 2 in anticipation of this event, and the public is not allowed to drive or walk past barricades present near the levee during fireworks setup.
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