[StBernard] July 4th celebration in St. Bernard Parish

[Westley Annis]

"St. Bernard Salutes America,'' the parish's annual July 4th celebration
which culminates in a fireworks display, won't be a victim of Hurricane
Katrina.

The show will be held Tuesday, July 4, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., when the
fireworks display will be held. But the patriotic event, sponsored by local
businesses, will be moved this year from the Torres Park area to the western
side of the Super Wal-Mart parking lot on West Judge Perez Drive in
Chalmette.

There will be four hours of music, food, drink and snow-balls. Participants
are asked to bring their own lawn chair.

St. Bernard Fire Department officials will supervise the fireworks display.

But Fire Chief Thomas Stone reminds residents that the fireworks display is
the only legal use of fireworks in St. Bernard Parish. Otherwise the sale or
use of the explosives is against the law.

Stone said it is particularly important for residents to respect the
anti-firewordks ordinance because of the devastation of Hurricane Katrina.
He said the combination of open piles of debris on streets, the fact that
numerous homes are abandoned and sometimes left open, as well as the general
draught conditions of this area leave the potential for a major fire if
people use fireworks illegally.

Fire Department investigators will work with the Sheriff's Office to prevent
the use of fireworks, Stone said.

Two bands will perform during the St. Bernard Salutes America show. At 5
p.m. the Community Concert Band will perform. From 6-9 p.m. the band
Showtime will perform, followed by the fireworks display.

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