Tomorrow marks the United States of America’s 236th birthday, and with it comes a plethora of activities for Baton Rouge residents.
Paul Arrigo, president and CEO of Visit Baton Rouge, said the annual celebration draws large crowds.
“There are always quite a few things going on, especially downtown, for the fourth of July,” Arrigo said. “Although Baton Rouge isn’t a destination for tourists on the fourth, [the festivities] bring in people from nearby communities. In addition, there is always people around town, staying in hotels for the fourth.”
Fireworks are a staple of every Independence Day celebration, and Baton Rouge is no exception. Fireworks have been set off over the U.S.S. Kidd for more than 35 years, according to the ship’s director Maury Drummond.
Fireworks go off at 9 p.m., but the Star-Spangled Celebration begins at noon on the Riverfront Stage, located between the U.S.S. Kidd Veteran’s Memorial and Riverfront Plaza. Country music singer Jenny Brooks will take the stage at 6:30 p.m. She will be followed by pop-rock artist Chris Leblanc and his band. Live musical entertainment will also include vocalist Anita LeBlanc as well as Westbound Train. The event is the largest fundraiser of the year for the U.S.S. Kidd’s Veteran’s Memorial.
Drummond explained some of the Independence Day events taking place around the ship.
“We are open until 3 o’clock for people to come and visit,” Drummond said. “There will also be a flyover by the Louisiana National Guard at 6 o’clock, followed by a mock attack on the U.S.S. Kidd with vintage World War II aircraft. There is always vendors in the street and around the downtown area. Then of course we have the fireworks show.”
Interested parties can purchase tickets to watch the lights show from the deck of the battleship.
But the U.S.S. Kidd isn’t the only place for Baton Rouge residents and visitors to celebrate their freedom.
The Shaw Center for the Arts will hold a benefit for the LSU Museum of Art and the Manship Theatre, titled “Red, White and Blue: The Arts and You.” A limited number of tickets are available. Purchasing a ticket gives the buyers access to food and drink as they watch the fireworks from the Shaw Center’s rooftop terrace.
Revelers can also stop by the North Boulevard Town Square to view a screening of the summer-classic, “The Sandlot.” The first showing of the movie is at 4:30 p.m. Another showing will immediately follow.
The Town Square fountains will also showcase American pride by spewing red, white and blue colors.
Many got an early start on the holiday, and the Baton Rouge Farmer’s Market hosted Star Spangled Saturday this weekend. Chefs from the Louisiana Culinary Institute offered suggestions for patriotic picnic fare that utilized produce from the market.
United Blood services is also hosting a blood drive, titled “Red, White and YOU Make a Difference.” Donations on July 3 from 1:00 p.m. to 5 p.m. will automatically be entered into a drawing for two tickets to the American Idol summer tour.
 
____ Contact Joshua Bergeron at [email protected]