BATON ROUGE, LA (WAFB) - There are lots of activities happening in the Baton Rouge metro area throughout the day to celebrate Independence Day.
In Baton Rouge, the booths open downtown at noon with food and drinks for all ages. Then at 3:15 p.m., the live music begins with four different bands playing all afternoon.
At 6:00 p.m., the Louisiana Air National Guard will fly over downtown Baton Rouge in their F-15 fighter jets, and then watch as World War II vintage aircraft stage a mock attack on the U.S.S. Kidd.
The grand finale is the fireworks display on the Mississippi River at 9:00 p.m. Also in Baton Rouge, there's a concert at First Baptist Church on Convention Street beginning at 6:00 p.m.
Bogalusa is holding a parade beginning at 10:00 a.m.
Clinton's Red, White, and Blueberry Festival is going on down Main Street. Friday, it lasts from 7:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m. with fireworks at 8:30 p.m. The festival continues Saturday starting at 8:00 a.m.
Denham Springs is celebrating Honor America Day at Train Station Park. Live bands begin playing at 6:00 p.m.
Jackson has activities planned for Independence Day beginning at 10:00 a.m. at the Centenary State Historic Site on East College Street. There will be hot-air balloon rides from 10:00 a.m. until noon and an ice cream social from 11:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.
In New Roads, the 6th annual False River Fourth of July Boat Parade begins at 1:00 p.m.
Plaquemine's Fourth of July celebration begins at 2:30 p.m. at Bayou Plaquemine Waterfront Park. There will be a boat parade that starts at the Iberville Parish boat ramp on Bayou Road. Bands start playing at 3:00 p.m. A fireworks display is scheduled for 9:00 p.m.
In St. Francisville, the festivities kick-off at 6:30 p.m. at Town Ball Park. A fireworks display starts when it gets dark.
Saturday, the St. Amant Volunteer Fire Department has a celebration planned. It will take place at the Jimmy Babin Complex on Bayou Terrace Road. Everything starts at 11:00 a.m. There will be a fireworks display later in the evening.
All government offices and most businesses are closed for the 4th of July, but if you normally have garbage or recycling pickup, that will happen as scheduled.
State troopers, sheriff's deputies, and police officers will be out watching for dangerous behavior and have checkpoints set up throughout the metro area.
