By ROBIN SHANNON

L’Observateur

LAPLACE – When it comes to celebrating the birth of the nation today, most residents in the River Parishes seem to be content with a simple backyard party at their own home.

More than half of those who voted in last week’s L’Observateur online poll said they would be firing up the barbecue grill today as part of their Fourth of July festivities. Another large percentage of the voters, about 25 percent, got their celebration going yesterday evening by attending some of the parish-sanctioned events in St. John and St. Charles parishes, which could be a sign of the community pride this region possesses.

Others in the region said they will be shooting off fireworks at their own home, or possibly heading to New Orleans to watch the fireworks on the river this evening.

A complete breakdown of the results is as follows:

• 13 percent of respondents chose “shoot off fireworks at home.”

• 26 percent of respondents chose “attending the parish events.”

• 3 percent of respondents chose “heading to the beach.”

• 51 percent of respondents chose “backyard barbecue.”

• 8 percent of respondents chose “catching the fireworks in New Orleans.”