The City of Lake Charles is making plans for the 17th annual Red White Blue & You July 4th Celebration. The day kicks off at 6 p.m. with a star-spangled street parade. Anyone who would like to parade their love of country is invited to decorate their floats, trucks and cars with red, white and blue decorations. Line up begins at 4 p.m. and the parade rolls at 6 p.m. from Mill Street. The parade will travel south on Ryan Street, ending at Sallier Street. There is no entry fee; however, pre-registration is requested by Wednesday, July 1.
The celebration continues at the Lake Charles Civic Center Arcade Pavilion with concessions and a patriotic program. The program begins at 7 p.m. with the sounds of Jay Ecker’s Bayou Jazz Kings Dixieland Band. The Lake Charles Community Band and the Louisiana Choral Foundation will also take the stage featuring a sing-a-long and a salute to the U.S. Armed Forces. Citizens and visitors are encouraged to bring their blankets or lawn chairs and enjoy an evening with family and friends. If inclement weather prevails, the program will be moved to the Civic Center Coliseum.
The fireworks extravaganza will begin at 9:15 p.m. Tune into Gator 99.5 FM for the soundtrack simulcast. The fireworks will be shot from a barge over the lake affording a great vantage point for the entire audience.
Due to construction for lakefront development, areas along the seawall are currently fenced off. However, much of the surrounding area will be designated for spectators. The seawall will be inaccessible to boaters who plan to transfer passengers. Please observe the construction fencing and signage and use caution near these areas.
Bakers are invited to participate in the Red White & Blue Ribbon Apple Pie Contest. Contest entries will be accepted from 10 a.m.-1 p.m., Wednesday, July 1 at Historic City Hall Arts & Cultural Center, 1001 Ryan Street . Winners will be announced with cash prizes and ribbons awarded on stage during the patriotic program on Saturday, July 4th. For more information on entering the parade or pie contest, call 337-491-9147 or visit www.cityoflakecharles.com
This one-day festival has been voted one of the Top 20 Events for the month of July by the Southeast Tourism Society (STS). STS is an organization that promotes travel to and within the Southeastern part of the United States. The Top 20 Events are selected from eleven states.
The Red White Blue & You celebration is preceded by the Southwest Louisiana Patriot’s Ball presented by the Mayor’s Armed Forces Commission on Saturday, June 27, 6 p.m. in the Buccaneer Room of the Lake Charles Civic Center. For ticket information contact the American Patriot store, 3026 Ryan Street , at 337-433-4083, or www.lcpatriot.com.
Lake Charles, La. —
