Lake Charles gears up for annual Fourth of July celebration

Lake Charles, LA (KPLC) - The City of Lake Charles is gearing up for another festive Fourth of July with the return of its annual celebration.

The Red, White, Blue & You Independence Day Celebration is set to begin on the 4th of July starting at 6 p.m. at the Civic Center, with the fireworks show starting at 9:15 p.m.

Live music will be featured, including Lake Charles Community Band’s Bayou Big Band, followed by Rusty Metoyer & the Zydeco Krush at 7:30 p.m., both at the Arcade Amphitheater.

Amanda Donaldson is the director of cultural affairs for the city of Lake Charles and says that there will be plenty of food trucks to grab food from while enjoying the bands.

Donaldson encourages spectators to bring picnic blankets or lawn chairs to enjoy all the festivities at the Civic Center but says want everyone to avoid bringing their pets and ice chests.

“We’re shooting the fireworks from in the middle of the lake off of a barge, which is pretty unique to Louisiana” said Donaldson.

The celebration also include concessions, face painting, and festival t-shirts sold by the Mayor’s Armed Forces Commission Queens.

This fun doesn’t stop there, this year the city partnered with Lake Area Adventures to have kayak and pontoon boat rentals for those wanting to experience the July 4th fireworks display on the water.

Mayor Nic Hunter says that this allows the community to get more involved in the outdoors and create memories.

“I think this event is truly one of those defining events for the City of Lake Charles” said Hunter “We’re not cookie cutter USA, when you are at Red, White, Blue, and You you know you’re in Lake Charles.”

Jerry Antoine is with Lake Area Adventures and said they will offer kayak rentals all day at North Beach off I-10, and that you can show up anytime to pick up a rental.

The fireworks show is choreographed to music and played on speakers along the lakefront, as well as simulcast on KBYS McNeese Radio 88.3 FM. Those interested can tune in from their car radio for the show.

The 4 on the 4th also kicked off their four mile run early this morning put on by the Lake Area Runners club.

To see all of the Fourth of July events, CLICK HERE

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