Fourth of July in Central & North Louisiana
Monroe City of Monroe, Louisiana

From Monroe to Minden to Shreveport, freedom fests reign with all the verve of a true Louisiana celebration. Expect barbecue, fireworks, 5Ks, and more.
Independence Day Celebration in Monroe-West Monroe
July 1: Settle in downtown on the west or the east to watch the highly-anticipated annual fireworks show. Throughout the day, local vendors will be peddling their wares, and the streets will be filled with the sounds of live bands. Fireworks start at 9 pm, over the Ouachita River—best viewed from downtown West Monroe or Monroe, or on the West Monroe levee. Free. monroe-westmonroe.org.
Flying Heart Freedom Fest & Anniversary Party
July 1: Flying Heart Brewery is celebrating it's own birthday, along with the country's. Things kick off with the national anthem at 1:30 pm, followed by performances by Cowboys with Guitars and Dash Rip Rock. Night ends with a bang, watching the Monroe-West Monroe firework show. Lasts until 9 pm. Tables are $100, including four wristbands and four beer tokens per table. Purchase at Flying Heart. monroe-westmonroe.org.
The Sportspectrum Firecracker 5K Race in Shreveport
July 4: Don't miss the annual Firecracker 5K at St. Vincent Mall in Shreveport this year, proving patriotism one heated mile at a time. Kids can come too, with a half-mile fun run. 7:30 am. $30 in advance; $40 day-of. Donations will directly benefit the Spine Institute of Louisiana Foundation. sbfunguide.com.
The Avoyelles Arts and Music Fest
The Fest will be held in downtown Marksville in connection with Louisiana’s longest-running July 4th celebration. There will be live music by Amanda Shaw, a barbecue cook-off, an arts & crafts fair, a car, truck, and jeep show, and fun and games for all ages. 10 am–8 pm, with fireworks to follow. Free and open to the public. avoyellesarts.com.
Shreveport KTBS Freedom Fest
July 4: The fireworks will be coming from towns throughout the region, across from the Sci-Port Discover Center, backdropped by the lights on the Texas Street Bridge, and in the Brookshire Arena in Bossier City, the Northwood Country Club in Blanchard, over Big Cypress Bayou, and at the Maude Cobb Convention Complex. KTBS will be airing all of it on KTBS and KPXJ, but on the ground locals can celebrate with live performances by local bands at the Northwood Country Club and the Molly Ringwalds in Downtown Shreveport. Food trucks will be on standby at South Bossier Park and Louisiana Boardwalk Outlets. Fireworks begin at 9:30 pm. Free. sbfunguide.com.