By CALEB FREY

Staff Reporter

RIVER PARISHES – Independence Day celebrations for St. John the Baptist and St. Charles parishes are set to kick off July 3 with plenty in store for attendees.

St. John Parish kicks off the holiday with their annual &#8220Celebration on the River” which can be viewed on the east bank from St. Peter’s Catholic Church grounds or on the west bank from the Edgard Courthouse.

This year’s theme is A Tribute to Veterans with music and festivities beginning at 6 p.m.

A flag raising ceremony will be held at 8 p.m. with the fireworks display scheduled for 9 p.m.

Residents who can’t make it to the event can still catch it live on Time Warner Channel 15 beginning at 8 p.m. Concessions will be available throughout the event.

St. Charles is also gearing up for their 16th annual Independence Day festivities taking place on July 3, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the West Bank Bridge Park in Luling.

A military flyover is scheduled during the event along with live music from the band Renegade.

Concession booths are to be manned by various local organizations including the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, the Republican Women of St. Charles, American Red Cross and the American Legion.

The event catered to more than 10,000 people last year, according to Sirmon, and he’s expecting an even greater turnout this year.

&#8220We’re going to plenty of people, and plenty of food and drinks. so all people need to do is come on out and bring their lawn chairs or blankets,” Sirmon said of the event.