LAPLACE — Music, fun and merriment are a few things residents can enjoy this week at the St. John the Baptist Parish Independence Day Celebration Along the River fireworks show.

The celebration runs from 6 until 9 p.m. Thursday on each bank in the parish. Residents can view the show from St. Peter’s Catholic Church grounds at 1550 Louisiana 44 in Reserve and at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 2361 Louisiana 18 in Edgard.

Charles McKinley encourages residents to come see one of the biggest firework displays in the area.

“I would say there are close to 10,000 pounds of explosives that we will be setting off,” McKinley said. “We are doing the show on the River on a barge. We’ve been the parish’s fireworks provider for the last several years, and I love it. It’s a great opportunity to come out and shoot a very patriotic show.”

McKinley, southeast regional manager for J&M Displays, said the fireworks set up has already begun.

“We will set up all of the explosives (today) and wire all of them and continue to do that Thursday as we ride up the River,” McKinley said. “We load in New Orleans, so it’s a several hour boat ride up the River. We will also take that time to do final checks of the computerized firing systems that we use to synchronize the show to music.”

McKinley, who is going to be one of the people on the barge for the fireworks, said there would be a great mix of patriotic music from different genres to go along with the show.

“I want a 100 percent safe show that is going to be enjoyable to all,” McKinley said.

“I think at the end of the day we anticipate the crowds to cheer after the show. It’s several days of hard work leading up to a display like this. At the end of the night, when the last shot goes off, the fireworks die down and you hear the crowd. That’s what makes it all worth it to us.”

St. John Parish Communications Director Baileigh Rebowe Helm said the parish holds the fireworks show every year to celebrate Independence Day and provide free entertainment.

“Thousands of residents usually attend with family and friends,” she said. “The event gets larger every year, and we look forward to an even bigger and better event this year.”

Helm said the fireworks start at 9 p.m. and she advises residents to get to the location by 8 p.m. to avoid road closures.

Residents who can’t make it out Thursday can watch the fireworks explode against the night sky from the comfort of their homes. There will be a live broadcast of the event beginning at 7 p.m. Residents can watch on RTC, Comcast on channel 15 or ATT U-Verse channel 99.