photo by Marcus Frazier

Hampton Inn and Suites maintenance supervisor Marco Brown attaches flags to the fence near the gazebo Wednesday afternoon.

Downtown celebration ready to roll Friday

By Adam Koob (Contact) | The Natchez Democrat

Published Thursday, July 3, 2008

NATCHEZ — On Friday night the skies over Natchez will be aglow with pyrotechnics and patriotism.

The man behind the display, Ted Ladner, will be shooting fireworks up to 700 feet in the air to help the city celebrate Independence Day.

Ladner is a pyrotechnician with Pyrotecnico, the company hired to coordinate Friday’s display.

“It’s going to be a symphony in the sky,” he said.

Ladner will be conducting that symphony from a barge in the river.

“There’s going to be a lot of really neat stuff,” he said.

Carrie Lambert, director of the Natchez Downtown Development Association, said the fireworks will be the highlight of Friday’s festivities.

“It’s going to be great,” she said.

Lambert said starting at 7 p.m. Broadway Street, in front of Bowie’s Tavern, will be closed for an outdoor party.

Weather permitting, Lambert said she expects a good turnout on the bluff.

“Any time you go to the bluff you’re going to have a great time,” she said.

But no matter the weather, Ladner said he will be putting on a show.

Ladner said he will likely set up his shells and detonators today in the event of rain on Friday.

“We’ll be ready,” he said.

And Ladner is going to need a lot of time to set up. A typical 15-minute show can take close to 10 hours to prepare, he said.

“It’s definitely a lot of work,” he said.

While Ladner will be hard at work on the river, Lambert said there will be plenty to keep partygoers entertained on the bluff.

Lambert said Bowie’s will sell food and drinks and provide a live band for the crowd.

Broadway will close at 7 p.m. and the fireworks are scheduled to begin shortly after 9 p.m.