Amanda Crane
acrane@bossierpress.com
It’s the biggest birthday bash of the year and you’re invited.
Millions of Americans will celebrate July 4 as the designated day to commemorate the 13 original U.S. colonies becoming a free and independent nation 237 years ago. Americans celebrate this historic event, also known as Independence Day, in a number of ways.
Bossier-Shreveport offers a host of traditional activities in which visitors and residents alike can celebrate the nation’s birthday. The Independence Day Festival is an all-day event on Thursday that features activities on both sides of the Red River.
The festival is free and will begin with the Farmer’s Market from 6 a.m. until noon, according to the Shreveport-Bossier Fun Guide website.
The Kiddie Section, sponsored by Dr. Eric LeBlanc & Dr. Bryan Stewart, will open at 2:00 p.m. inside Riverview Hall. Free life vests will be given to children on a first come, first serve basis while supplies last thanks to Christus Schumpert and the Red River Waterway Commission.
Next door at Sci-Port: Louisiana’s Science Center, all ages are invited to celebrate America’s birthday with Fireworks Fun! Participants will learn all about the chemistry and colors of fireworks, make a pair of glasses to make this year’s fireworks display more spectacular and even construct their own rocket.
Fireworks Fun! is an event for the entire family that is free with center admission.
Sci-Port will close at 4 p.m. on Thursday, July 4. Festival vendors will be open from 2 p.m. to 11 p.m. at the Independence Day Festival.
The Bossier Rotary club will also be holding the third annual Johnny Wyatt Memorial Running of the Ducks on the Red River Thursday. Thousands of small, yellow ducks will hit the water at 3 p.m. and the winning duck gets $10,000.
Entertainment in Shreveport will begin at 4:30 p.m. with performances by the Good News Band, Windstorm, the Brady Blade Band and Kix Brooks. Across the river in Bossier City, Lee Greenwood will take the stage at the newly opened Margaritaville Resort Casino.
Greenwood, an American country music artist, is best known for his single “God Bless the USA”, which was popular when it was originally released in 1984, and became popular again after the September 11, 2001 attacks (becoming his highest charting pop hit, reaching No. 16 on the Billboard Hot 100). Active since 1962, he has released more than twenty major-label albums and has charted more than 35 singles on the Billboard country music charts.
The night will conclude with a fireworks display at 9 p.m., sponsored by Kilpatrick’s Rose-Neath Funeral Homes., followed by a performance by Juice Newton.
The Independence Day Festival is sponsored by Bossier Police Jury, Caddo Commission, City of Shreveport, Eldorado Resort Casino Shreveport, Dr. Eric LeBlanc & Dr. Bryan Stewart, Ivan Smith Furniture, the Red River Waterway Commission.
For more information on the Independence Day Festival, call (318) 861-5843.
