July Fourth is peak summer. This year Independence Day falls on Thursday, and the workweek is looking more eventful than usual. You can look forward to firework displays, outdoor activities, and other things that require you to leave your ice chests and your terrified dogs with remarkable and often ignored sensitivity to loud noises at home.
7/3: Uncle Sam’s Jam: Social Entertainment and Downtown Lafayette’s annual fireworks display will be Wednesday evening in Parc Lafayette! This family-friendly event is free to the public and will feature children’s activities and performances from Chubby Carrier & The Bayou Swamp Band, DG & The Freetown Sound and DJ RV. Food options from Tony Chachere’s will be available throughout the evening, and a cash bar will be on sight. A portion of the cash bar proceeds will benefit the United Way of Acadiana. Jam starts at 5 and ends at 10 p.m.
7/3: Fireworks at the Pond 2019: Youngsville’s annual Fourth of July fireworks display will be this Wednesday at the Sugar Mill Pond Town Center! Catch fireworks while on the water this Wednesday, as well as face painting, pony rides, kayak demonstrations and more activities leading up to the 9 p.m. fireworks show. Food and drink vendors will be available. Attendees are welcome to park at Ascension Episcopal School for a free trolley ride to the event.
7/4: Fourth of July on the Teche: Pack and Paddle will bring a lucky crew to the Bayou Teche this Thursday for a leisurely paddle two-hour paddle from Poche Bridge down to Breaux Bridge for a scenic view of farms, houses and fields. Participants will meet at Pack & Paddle at 3:30 p.m. to shuttle to Breaux Bridge’s Independence Day celebration for live music and fireworks. Participation is $50 per paddler but $45 if the paddler brings their own boat. An evening picnic on the banks is included.
7/5: Pop-up Chef + Sweets, Treats, Eats & Shopping: The Wurst Biergarten Public Market will host chef Rushawn Marshall with Di Jerk Stop, a new authentic Jamaican restaurant, this Friday starting at 7 p.m. Biergarten expects items like the jerk chicken, the fried dumplings, and spicy beef to go quickly, so expect to arrive early if you want to eat! Artisans’ goods will be for sale, sort of like the market for Artwalk, but just at the Biergarten in the heart of downtown.
7/5-7/7: Music and Faith: Current popular Christian music singer, songwriter and headscarf fanatic Lauren Daigle will perform her most popular songs with the Acadiana Symphony Orchestra for their season finale. Showtimes are every night this weekend at 7. Tickets are available via Ticketmaster.
