CENTRAL, LA – Central residents are responding to the city’s new fireworks ordinance by agreeing to dramatically reduce the amount of time they illegally shoot fireworks from the traditional 11 days surrounding New Year’s Eve and July 4th to a more reasonable nine.
The ordinance would require residents to obtain a permit before setting off fireworks, potentially disrupting Central’s twice-a-year tradition of celebrating major holidays several days before they actually occur and continuing until everyone runs out of explosives.
Officials acknowledged enforcement could be difficult, particularly after dark, when approximately 94% of Central suddenly sounds like an active military training exercise.
Mayor Wade Evans, who probably owns at least one mortar tube labeled “professional use only,” encouraged residents to follow the new rules but confirmed that his 2027 New Year’s Eve party is still on, despite having already purchased two pallets of fireworks for the occasion.
Residents say they understand the city’s concerns and are willing to compromise.
Residents have agreed to respect the new ordinance by waiting until at least 30 minutes after police leave the neighborhood before resuming.
