Weekend Ticket: Fourth of July events slated for Nederland, LSC-PA
Published 5:36 pm Thursday, July 2, 2015
Mid- and South County residents are brushing up on their patriotic tunes and readying festive outfits for Independence Day celebrations in Nederland and Port Arthur Saturday.
Patrons will have two venues to choose from Saturday night, as the Nederland Parks and Recreation Department lights off the city’s Fireworks Extravaganza celebration and Lamar State College-Port Arthur sends up a flashy display over the Intracoastal Waterway.
The fourth annual Fireworks Extravaganza Fourth of July celebration will kick off at 5 p.m. Saturday in Doornbos Heritage Park, 2301 Avenue H in Nederland, with entertainment and events leading up to the fireworks show set for 9:15 p.m.
The city has reserved a catered Veterans VIP special section, as well as a portion of Doornbos Park for the annual Field of Honor. Each American flag in the park will represent a specific person, honoring both veterans and active military personnel.
“July 4 is a community-wide celebration, so our veterans projects are not just for Nederland veterans — we want as many veterans, and their families, who can make it out to Doornbos Park to do so. We want to be able to serve them and thank them all for their service,” Angela Fanette, Nederland Parks and Recreation director, said.
Food vendors will be positioned throughout the park, and the Nederland Swimming Pool will be unlocked from 5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Regular pool fees will apply.
The Bike and Wagon Parade will begin at 6 p.m. Prizes will be awarded for the best red, white and blue bike and wagon.
Performances by Still Cruisin’ and Sweet Adelines will start at 7 p.m., followed by the Fireworks Extravaganza show set to music at 9:15 p.m.
Patrons looking for a more coastal flair can head over to the LSC-PA Carl Parker Multipurpose Center, 1800 Lakeshore Drive in Port Arthur, at 7:15 p.m. Saturday for a lineup of performers before the fireworks begin at 9 p.m.
The program includes a 7:30 p.m. posting of the Colors, as well as a presentation by the LSC-PA Theater Singers.
Other performers for the Fourth of July event include Jeff Courts on bag pipes, the Orange Community Band, whistler Phil Guidry and singers Krista Courts, Dwight Wagner, Tom Neal and Jay Binecour. A barbershop quartet will also be on hand to add to the festivities.
The fireworks show, which can be seen from the seawall, will begin at 9 p.m.
Each event is free and open to the entire community. Visitors are invited to bring lawn chairs and blankets to both viewings.
Twitter: @crhenderson90