LEONARD GRAY

LULING – It had a massive kickoff at the climax of Operation Desert Storm, and though it is no longer a day-long event, the St. Charles Parish Independence Day gala is as popular as ever. Thousands of people attend the event, now in its 11th year, according to parish administrator Timothy Vial, which is set July 3, starting at 6 p.m. The gala is always held on the day prior to the Fourth of July, to allow families to come, stay as late as they want and enjoy both this event and the holiday itself. The event welcomes people from all over the region, drawn by the family atmosphere and the fireworks display. “We want to keep this a family event,” Vial said. The gala starts with a formal flag-raising ceremony at the West Bridge Park in Luling, presented by American Legion Spillway Post 195 of Norco. Local Option, a local band, will begin performing immediately following the ceremony, and Nancy Tabb Marcantel, a Lafayette recording artist, will present a performance of patriotic songs. She has 10 albums to her credit. Refreshments will be provided by local non-profit organizations such as the American Red Cross and Republican Women of St. Charles, and the event will be climaxed by a half-hour fireworks display presented by Precision Pyrotechnics, starting at dusk, or at about 8:45 p.m. Vial also hopes to arrange a military display through the National Guard, but he could not confirm that at this time. From time to time, Vial continued, there is talk about relocating the Independence Day gala to the East Bridge Park in Destrehan, but he said there is insufficient parking area and the park is noticeably smaller and unable to handle the crowds which are drawn to this event.