HAMMOND---TEAM HAMMOND will "Light Up the Sky" Thursday night, with the City's biggest-ever fireworks extravaganza as Hammond celebrates Independence Day.

The 11th annual event will be held Thursday, July 2, starting at 5 p.m. in Zemurray Park, located at the corners of S. Oak and W. Coleman Ave. in Hammond.

Hosted by TEAM HAMMOND, the event is sponsored by Whitney Bank, Cashe, Lewis, Coudrain & Sandage, and a number of local businesses.

Hammond Mayor Mayson Foster invites families to come out and picnic or play in the park, as well as to visit a number of displays which will be held in the park prior to the start of the fireworks show. Miniature train rides will be available, as will a host of games and amusements for children of all ages.

This year's event will also feature a space walk and a climbing wall, live music, and lots of food and refreshments being sold by local non-profit organizations.

Hammond's Independence Day celebration will include live music, performed by the band Destiny of Louisiana. Music and other activities begin at 5 p.m. Opening ceremonies are scheduled for 7 p.m., and of course, all of the evening's entertainment culminates in the annual fireworks show at 9 p.m.

The Mayor also indicated that there may be other additional surprises to entertain and delight visitors to the annual Independence Day celebration in Hammond.

The event is free and open to the public. Food and non-alcoholic beverages are permitted in the park, and vendors will also be in the park selling refreshments during the event, Foster said.

Foster said the evening will be an "Old-Fashioned 4th of July celebration."

Light Up the Sky on the 2nd of July is hosted by TEAM HAMMOND and sponsored by Whitney Bank, Cashe, Lewis, Coudrain & Sandage, CI Sports, Electronic Maintenance (EMCO), Hammond Business Machines, K-Team Printing, North Oaks, Parish Disposal, Speed-Stiel Insurance Agency, Waste Management, Empire Management Group, and Industrial Electric.

For more information about the "Light Up the Sky on the 2nd of July" fireworks display, contact City Hall at 985.277.5903, or the City of Hammond website, www.hammond.org.