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Summer’s biggest bash, July Fourth, will be celebrated throughout Lafourche, Terrebonne and St. Mary parishes with stars-spangled events ideal for hanging out with family and friends.
For those in the Houma area, the 7th Annual Houma Independence Celebration, sponsored by Terrebonne Patriots, Inc., provides an action-packed day focused on honoring those who have and continue to serve our country. The event kicks off at 11 a.m. with a Veterans Memorial held at Veterans Park on La. Highway 311, and features a presentation of wreaths to fallen soldiers. Winners of the celebration’s essay contest will also be on-hand to read their writings.
At 1 p.m., a military-style parade will begin at the Terrebonne Parish School Board office on Stadium Drive and run along Main Street, ending at Town Hall on Barrow Street. Some 300-400 people are expected to participate, Terrebonne Patriots President and Event Coordinator Danny Picou said and current military and veterans are also invited to join in the fun by riding in one of the parade’s floats. Those interested in participating may sign up at the Regional Military Museum and will receive throws for the ride free of charge.
According to parade and silent auction chairwoman Denise Bourg, two vehicles from the museum, a horse group, the Selucrey Sophisticats, a patriotic ex-military “Deuce and a Half” cargo truck, an antique truck from Davidson Hardware, the Central Lafourche High School ROTC, the Cajun Roller Girls, South Louisiana Jeep Owners Association and many more will roll through the town in honor of the big day. World War II Veteran Lloyd Geist will serve as the grand marshal.
At 3 p.m., the Houma-Terrebonne Civic Center will open the grounds to celebration attendees, who will enjoy an afternoon of live music, delicious food and fun in the sun. Children’s activities, hosted by mobile children’s museum, K.I.M.’s Playhouse, will include a petting zoo from Abbott Farms, face painting and airbrushed tattoos by Inky Do Tattoos, inflatables and water games by Bounce n’ Around Inflatables, crafts, a reverse dunk tank and more will to keep the little ones entertained and adults will enjoy live music from the Houma-Terrebonne Community Band, Southern Cross and the Marine Corps Band from New Orleans. T-shirts from the festival’s art contest will also be sold for a $10 donation.
A half-mile kid’s fun run and two mile dash will be held at 4 p.m. at the festival’s grounds and the night ends with an impressive fireworks display at 9 p.m. Entry to the celebration is free; food and children’s activities will be available for a cost.
“To come onto the grounds and listen to the music, it’s all free,” festival coordinator and Terrebonne Patriots President Danny Picou said. “It’s a very family-oriented day.”
The celebration serves at the primary fundraiser for Terrebonne Patriots Inc., a non-profit organization dedicated to the support of the region’s veterans. The organization works throughout the year to provide various types of assistance to our country’s veterans, including supporting the Wounded Warrior Project.
In Lafourche Parish, the annual Let Freedom Ring Festival, sponsored by the Veterans of the Vietnam War, Inc., the Lorio Foundation and the City of Thibodaux, invites residents to Peltier Park for a day spent with family and friends.
The event begins at 8 a.m. with a breakfast for veterans, police, Acadian ambulance and emergency room personnel, followed by a day of relaxation under the shady trees of the park. Children will be treated to activities and gifts and attendees will be able to enjoy delicious food and drink for a small fee. For those wishing to whip up their own fare, barbecue pits and ice chests will be allowed. An opening ceremony will be held at 5 p.m. to welcome guests and honor active military and veterans.
Local cover band Soul Survivors will get crowds on their feet from 4 – 5 p.m. and again from 7 – 9 p.m.
The event’s annual auction will begin at 5:30 p.m. and a fireworks display will top things off at 9 p.m.
For those in St. Mary Parish, the festivities roll on into Sunday at the Rock the 5th Celebration in Morgan City’s Lawrence Park, the kick-off event of the city’s Jammin’ in July lineup.
Because of the affordability of fireworks the day after Independence Day, event organizers chose to hold the celebration on the Sunday, giving residents an additional day to relax, kick back and honor what it means to be an American.
This festival is centered primarily on great music, beginning with local family variety band, Driftwood, kicking things off at 1 p.m. The Beau Young Band, a country/rock group from Abbeville, takes over from 3-5 p.m. and Krossfyre, a Lafayette cover band playing everything from Motown to Today’s Top 40, plays from 5:30-8:30 p.m.
There will also be no shortage of delicious food to keep bellies full throughout the day. Don and Mata Tellman, founders of the city’s annual barbecue cook-off, will sell barbecue plate dinners, while Central Catholic High School will serve up hamburgers. Soft drinks and beer will also be sold and Pharr Chapel United Methodist Church will host a variety of children’s activities in the Kids’ Corner from 1-5 p.m. A fireworks display will light up the night sky over the Atchafalaya River, closing out the celebration, at 9 p.m.
Other Jammin’ in July events scheduled are Comedy Night with John Morgan on July 11 at 6:30 p.m at the Morgan City Municipal Auditorium and Bayou BBQ Bash on July 24 – 25 under the bridge in Downtown Morgan City.
July 4th events in Lafourche, Terrebonne and St. Mary parishes are free and open to the public.
