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RESERVE — St. John the Baptist Parish is having its annual Independence Day Celebration from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday, July 1 with festivities on the grounds of St. Peter Catholic Church in Reserve and St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Edgard. A fireworks show for both sides of the river will begin at 9 p.m.

St. Hubert Church at 562 S. Church Street in Garyville is also hosting an Independence Day Festival on Sunday, July 4. This will be the biggest fundraiser of the year. Donations of individually packaged sweets will be accepted at the Parish Hall from 10 a.m. to noon July 3 and from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. July 4. The Festival schedule is as follows: chicken dinner ($10) / sweet sale at 10:30 a.m., festival foods at noon, bunco at 1 p.m. ($10 to play, ages 13 and up), pastalaya at 4:30 p.m., bingo at 5 p.m., line dancing/karaoke at 7 p.m., raffle drawing and 50/50 drawing at 8:45 p.m., and a fireworks display at 9 p.m. Please call 985-535-3312 for more information.

As a reminder, St. John Parish government offices will be closed Monday, July 5 in observance of Independence Day.

In St. Charles Parish, the 31st annual Independence Day celebration will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. July 3 at the West Bank Bridge Park. Entertainment will be provided by Groovy 7 followed by a spectacular fireworks show. Local 12-year-old singer Ella Grace will perform the National Anthem.

The Independence Day program will begin at 6:15 p.m. with the raising of the flag, the national anthem and brief remarks from President Jewell. Groovy 7 will take the stage at approximately 6:25 p.m., and a 20-minute fireworks display will start at 9 p.m. An exclusive VIP area and reserved parking will be available for all Veterans to enjoy the event. Reserved parking will be first come, first serve. The West Bank Bridge Park, including the parking lot near the levee at the Mississippi River overlook, will close at 3 p.m. on Friday, July 2 in anticipation of the event. I-310 southbound and northbound off-ramps to River Road (LA 18) will be closed 15 minutes prior to the fireworks until the end of the show. River Road (LA 18) also will be closed from Ashton Road to the School Board office.