Cassidy Park activities added to parade, fireworks presentation on Fourth of July

Besides the United States of America and the City of Bogalusa sharing birthdays, there’ll be lot more going on this Independence Day weekend — including an appearance by Gov. Bobby Jindal.

“We see the Fourth of July Parade sponsored by the American Legion and the Fireworks Display sponsored by the American Legion and the City of Bogalusa as a wonderful start and finish to the day.  We want to add to the middle to make it an all day celebration, “ said Bogalusa Mayor Charles Mizell.

Activities get under way at 7 p.m. Saturday night at the American Legion when the Paper Queen Ball is held and a new Paper Queen is crowned, taking the crown and scepter from Ashley Lee Mizell, who was the 71^st winner last year.

On Monday, lining up for the parade will begin about 8:30 a.m. near Sonny’s Pizza with a 10 a.m. start.

Capt. Jim Montgomery, U.S. Coast Guard, said the parade carries a dual theme this year — “Citizen Soldiers” and “Protect What Matters” in honor of the Louisiana Army National Guard and Louisiana Air National Guard.

Governor Bobby Jindal, along with Maj. Gen, Bennett C, Landreau, Adjutant General of the Army National Guard and Lt. Gen. Brod Veillon, Commander of the Air National Guard, have committed to participate in the parade. In addition, an Army Band, numerous local floats and a flyover event are also scheduled.

After the parade there will be a brief break before activities get under way at Cassidy Park at 2 p.m.

In a revival of one of the greatest traditions of political campaigning in the South, all candidates for public office are invited to take the stage at the park and greet and talk with the public

The park will also feature food vendors, music and a first-ever bike parade.  Kids of all ages are invited to decorate their bicycles and parade along the new, asphalt track at 3 p.m.  The entry fee for the bike parade is a donation of a perishable food item, which will be given to the Bogalusa Help Center.

Following the activities at Cassidy Park there will be another break until dark, when the sky will be lit up by the explosions of fireworks launched from the Temple-Inland pond. The Bogalusa City Schools will open Louis V. Murray, Jr. Stadium so that persons may view the fireworks in an open-air setting.

The City of Bogalusa, Bogalusa Chamber of Commerce and the American Legion are working together to make this Fourth of July memorable for everyone in the city of Bogalusa.  If you have an idea and are willing to work to make it a reality, contact Marilyn Bateman at the Chamber of Commerce at 735-5731 or Sandy Bloom at the City of Bogalusa at 732-6211.