Grab the chairs, blankets and bug spray and prepare to celebrate the Fourth of July downtown Vicksburg style.

This year’s Fourth of July Fireworks Extravaganza, held in front of the Old Depot Museum beginning at 7 p.m. Monday, will feature a band, concessions and, of course, fireworks.

“Bring an umbrella, and bring a fan. It will be hot, but it will be fun,” said Joe Graves, the city’s recreation director who has been in charge of the event for the past eight years.  “It’s a big show and there’s a lot of work involved with it.”

The extravaganza, which will stretch from the Old Depot Museum to the Farmer’s Market lot at Jackson and Washington streets, features Mayor George Flaggs Jr. as the emcee and the Jackson band Meet the Press as the entertainment.

“We’re looking forward to it and encourage everyone to come out, but at the same time be safe. If you see something, say something,” Flaggs said. “It’s a great time to celebrate. The fireworks show this year will be bigger and better because we’ve extended the time.”

Fireworks will be launched from a barge behind the museum beginning around 9:30 p.m., Graves said, lasting about half an hour and making the show longer than in past years. The preparations for the event began in February and have included input from a local committee, he added. Concessions will include snow cones, cold drinks, hot dogs, hamburgers, and “ a little bit of everything,” Graves said. He reminded those in attendance to prepare for the mosquitos and the heat.

“Hopefully by 7 p.m. if we’re fortunate, it will be a little cooler, but it’s always a scorcher,” Graves said. “You may want to grab your insect repellant too.”

Flaggs also encouraged those in attendance to prepare for seating to be limited as more than 6,5000 people expected to make their way downtown for the event.

“All the balconies downtown will also be full,” Flaggs said.

In addition to balconies, downtown rooftops will likely be packed, particularly at 10 South Rooftop Bar and Grill, which is planning on selling tickets to watch the fireworks show for the second year in a row. Jay Parmegiani, co-owner of the restaurant, said tickets will be sold for $15 a piece at the restaurant’s bar leading up to 6:30 Monday night, when those with tickets will be escorted to their reserved seats. The 80 seats on the perimeter will be sold in pairs of four to a table and single tickets are available for bar seating. Only bar items and complementary pretzels will be available.

“Instead of looking up, you’re looking straight across,” Parmegiani said.

“We’ve got the venue, so it was a no brainer. You’re eye level with the fireworks.”