Lake Charles set for Fourth of July celebration
Last Modified: Thursday, July 05, 2012 11:27 AM
By Cliff Seiber / American Press
Expect to see plenty of patriotic floats, vehicles, golf carts, bicycles, wagons — and people — today during the Red White Blue and You parade, which takes place 6 p.m. at the Lake Charles Civic Center.
The parade will begin on Mill Street, go south on Lakeshore Drive, east on Clarence, north on Ryan, west on Broad and back to the starting place. Ten-year-old Devin Scott Fontenot, representing the Children’s Miracle Network and the Southwest Louisiana Sickle Cell Foundation, will lead the lineup as grand marshal of the parade.
“This route is the perfect distance for kids to participate ... decorating their bikes and wagons and filing in line,” said Denise Fasske, event manager for the city of Lake Charles, said. Spectators can line the streets for beads and candy.
Market Blue will open a program of patriotic music for spectators on the front lawn of the Civic Center at 7:15 p.m.
Also providing tunes will be the Lake Charles Community Band. Performances were moved from Arcade Pavilion because of construction and will take place inside the Civic Center in case of rain.
A fireworks extravaganza will begin at 9:15 p.m. Fun Radio 92.9 FM and Gator 99 will broadcast music synchronized with the fireworks.
The Lake Charles Community Band and conductor Leo Murray will perform a salute to the U.S. armed forces and take part in a sing-a-long with the Louisiana Choral Foundation and friends. A highlight of the program will be recognition of those in the audience who are members or veterans of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard while the band plays the theme song for each branch.
There will be face painting, balloon clowns and food vendors. The festival logo, used on posters and t-shirts, was designed by Tori Viator, who will enter the eighth grade at S.J. Welsh Middle School in the fall. Shirts will be on sale for $7 each.
Audience members are advised to bring blankets or lawn chairs
Online: www.cityoflakecharles.com.
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