By ROBIN SHANNON

L’Observateur

LAPLACE – A busy July 4 weekend of food, music and fireworks is in store for residents of the River Parishes looking to pass a patriotically good time and celebrate the 234th anniversary of America’s independence.

The weekend begins in St. John the Baptist Parish on Friday with a luncheon in honor of all veterans living in the parish hosted by Parish President Natalie Robottom and the St. John Parish Council.

The luncheon will be held at the St. Peter Catholic School auditorium, 188 W. Seventh St., in Reserve, starting at 11 a.m. Members of the St. John Young Marines Program and the Rotary Club of LaPlace will assist in serving food. Veterans and family members who plan to attend the luncheon should make reservations by calling 985-652-9545, ext. 117.

The festivities continue later that evening with the 11th annual St. John Independence Day Celebration along both sides of the Mississippi River from 6-9:30 p.m. The east bank gathering takes place at St. Peter Church, while the west bank event is held at the St. John Parish Courthouse, located at 2393 River Road, in Edgard.

St. John Parish Economic Development Director Julia Remondet said both events will include patriotic music from local DJs starting at 6 p.m. Food and drinks will be sold on both sides of the river, with proceeds going to St. Peter Church and other local civic organizations, but residents are encouraged to bring whatever they want.

“The event has grown over time into a large community gathering that brings together people from all across the area,” Remondet said. “It’s a laid back atmosphere where residents can just hang out and catch up with each other.”

Remondet said last year’s event attracted nearly 9,000 people, so residents are encouraged to come as early as possible to grab a good parking spot and a good viewing location. Fireworks begin at 9 p.m. sharp and are fired from a barge in the river. The display lasts about 30 minutes.

“It gets pretty packed, especially on the east bank side,” Remondet said. “The fireworks are shot from the center of the river between the two locations. If you get a good spot along the levee, you should be able to see them fairly well.”

According to the St. John Sheriff’s Office, deputies will shut down River Road on the east bank between West 10th Street and Central Avenue starting at 7:30 p.m. Capt. Dane Clement, Sheriff’s Office spokesman, said cars would be turned away and onto side streets. Clement also said West Eighth Street, Godchaux Drive, Lapeyrolerie Drive, LeBlanc Drive and the track at Railroad Avenue would also be shut down starting at 6:30 p.m. Clement said River Road will not completely close on the west bank, but traffic will be closely monitored.

Remondet said all of the festivities are broadcast on the parish access channel, channel 15 on Comcast and RTC, for residents who are unable to come out.

Festivities in St. John conclude Sunday with a celebration at St. Hubert Catholic Church, 176 Anthony Monica Drive, in Garyville starting at 11 a.m.

The church will sell barbecued chicken dinners along with hamburgers, hot dogs, smoked sausage, po-boys, nachos and sweets. St. Hubert’s Altar Society will also offer a sale of religious articles throughout the day.

Other events include a bingo, starting at 3 p.m., and a fireworks display starting at 8:45 p.m.

St. Charles Parish residents are invited the West Bank Bridge Park, 13825 River Road, in Luling on Saturday for the parish’s 20th annual Independence Day Celebration from 6-9 p.m.

St. Charles Parish spokeswoman Renee Simpson said the special anniversary event will feature a performance by local band “The Wiseguys.”

“The band is scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m., with fireworks to begin at 9 p.m.,” Simpson said. “The first 3,000 attendees will receive a 20th anniversary keepsake pack.”

Simpson said the event also includes a patriotic balloon-twisting clown as well as a military flyover. The flyover will be part of the opening ceremony, which is set to begin at 6:15 p.m.

Simpson said local civic groups will sell food and drinks at the event, including lemonade, nachos, Frito pies, jambalaya, soft drinks, hamburgers, hot dogs, chips, baked goods and snowballs. Poppers, 3-D fireworks viewing glasses and glow necklaces will also be available. Simpson said vendors will be located in the West Bank Bridge Park’s concession stand and permanent shelters.

For more information on the event, contact Dawn Pitre at 985-783-5182 or dpitre@stcharlesgov.net.

According to the St. Charles Sheriff’s Office, southbound and northbound off ramps for Interstate 310 to River Road will be closed 15 minutes prior to the fireworks and throughout the show. River Road will be closed from Ashton Plantation Boulevard to the School Board Office.

Simpson said pets and glass bottles are not allowed within the West Bank Bridge Park, but ice chests and folding chairs are allowed.

Although the sale and ignition of fireworks in St. John is legal, St. Charles Sheriff Greg Champagne reminds residents of St. Charles that personal fireworks displays are not allowed in St. Charles without a permit. Anyone found using fireworks inside of the parish is guilty of a misdemeanor and could be fined up to $100 or imprisoned for 30 days in jail. Fireworks found by deputies will also be seized.