Loyola’s campus will go up in fireworks for the first time ever on April 14 at the university’s centennial commemoration.

Following a celebratory Mass, there will be a picnic in the Horseshoe while the fireworks display will take place along the sides.

Loyola chose a company specializing in pyrotechnics called Pyrotecnico to set off the fireworks, according to Meredith Hartley, director of public affairs.

Hartley also said that the fireworks are similar to those that shoot out from the scoreboards at the Mercedes Benz Superdome and Zephyrs Stadium and will last for less than two minutes.

Hartley said she is excited about the celebration she and her department have set up.

“It will be a unique show that will highlight the building,” Hartley said.

Approval of the fireworks on campus took a lot of work, she said. The New Orleans Fire Department, Pyrotecnico, Public Safety and Physical Plant worked to ensure the safety of the event.

Physical Plant and Public Safety officials had to go on the roofs of the buildings and make sure nothing could set off a fire, according to Terrell Fisher, associate vice president of marketing and communications.

In order to allow fireworks on campus, the fire department must be present as a precaution.

“The Fire Department will have trucks on hand,” Hartley said.

The centennial celebration begins on April 13 with a Student Government Association-hosted concert on campus.

Jonathan Cepelak can be reached at [email protected]