"Fireworks over Shreveport church"
SHREVEPORT, La. – Freedom. It means different things to different people. It could mean freedom of speech, freedom of religion, or the right to bear arms. We are truly blessed to live in the United States and enjoy the American freedoms that come with it. KTBS/KPXJ is excited once again to present the Freedom Fest Finale. We invite you to focus on our freedom as we celebrate Independence Day this year. Once again, it’s all about God and Country, and of course those amazing fireworks. We hope you’ll join us and recommit to the principles that sustained us in history. There will be no shortage of patriotism this year. Just like in 2023, there will be multiple locations across the ArkLaTex to view the spectacular fireworks shows, courtesy of Pyromania. “In today’s environment, where the bonds of family and faith hold us together, patriotism remains a beacon of hope and unity. As we celebrate the 4th of July, we remember that this date is not just a mark on the calendar, but a testament to our shared history and values. It is a day to honor the sacrifices made for our freedom and to rejoice in the blessings of liberty. This is why KTBS has crafted spectacular fireworks show across six communities, highlighting the profound importance of July 4th. Let us come together with our loved ones, with faith in our hearts, and celebrate this day as one of the most significant in our nation’s story,” KTBS/KPXJ Station Manager George Sirven said.
The 2024 KTBS 3 Freedom Fest Series is brought to you by the Bossier Parish Police Jury, the Caddo Commission, and the City of Shreveport. Special thanks to Kilpatrick’s Rose-Neath Funeral Homes, Brookshire’s Grocery Company, and Hebert’s Town & Country for making the fireworks shows possible. “This year, KTBS has created a spectacular fireworks show to honor this special day, with dazzling displays in downtown Shreveport, South Bossier, Jefferson Texas, Longview, Texas, and two new breathtaking locations: The American Rose Center and the banks of Cypress Lake in North Bossier. If you can’t make it to any of these locations, the best seat in the house is right in front of your television, watching KTBS/KPXJ. Let us come together with our loved ones, with faith in our hearts, and celebrate this day as one of the most significant in our nation’s story,” Sirven said.
KTBS/KPXJ will have coverage starting on First News on July 4, leading up to our special broadcast beginning at 7 p.m. The fireworks are scheduled to light up the skies promptly at 9:30 p.m., including at two new locations. We hope you’ll join us as we celebrate the men and women who keep us safe. Enjoy performances by Mariah Hester, Maggy Stevens, and the Shreveport Symphony as we check in with our neighbors across the ArkLaTex leading up to the explosive finale.
Nearly 800 children drown every year, and more than half of them are under five. That’s why as part of the 2024 KTBS 3 Freedom Fest Series, free life jackets were given away on May 18. Our generous sponsors included Academy Sports & Outdoors, Barksdale Federal Credit Union, Morehead Pools, Red River Waterway Commission, and Shreveport Coca-Cola Bottling Company. Life jackets were handed out at three locations in Shreveport and Bossier City.
Many didn’t miss a chance to fly Old Glory on Flag Day, June 14. KTBS and our sponsors invited you to go by Barksdale Federal Credit Union, Pioneer Comfort Systems, Louisiana Home Center, Word of God Ministries, Gladiator Men’s Health, Eagle Truck Center, Tubbs Hardware, and Horseshoe Bossier City to pick up your free American flag. Several hundred were distributed since the beginning of June. Make sure you fly your American flag in memory of those who died and in honor of those serving.
The 2024 Freedom Fest Series is full of events, giveaways, and special content leading up to Independence Day. We featured Freedom Fest Editorials, Messages of Hope, Hometown Patriot, and more.
Fireworks will light up the sky simultaneously on July 4 in six locations across the ArkLaTex beginning at 9:30 p.m. They are across from Sci-Port in downtown Shreveport, The American Rose Center, South Bossier Park, Bossier’s Cypress Lake, Jefferson, Texas, and Longview, Texas.
Thanks to Shreveport Regional Arts Council, there will be plenty of family fun for everyone at Shreveport’s Riverview Park and Amphitheatre. You’ll find food trucks, arts, and shopping, then entertainment on the stage beginning at 7 p.m. There will also be a Kids’ Zone in the grassy area right behind Shreveport Aquarium and don’t be surprised if you run into that giant Brookshire’s grocery cart that we see around town at big events like Mardi Gras. That’s all leading up to the awesome fireworks show featuring 3″, 4″, 5″, and 6″ shells. As always, the Bakowski Bridge of lights will be glowing red, white, and blue.
A crowd favorite for fireworks viewing on Independence Day is at South Bossier Park. Nearly 2,000 people poured into the park last year to take advantage of the food trucks and live music before the fabulous fireworks display. There will be an expanded family area this year thanks to Open Door Fellowship Church with a large tent featuring worship teams playing music, bounce houses, and cornhole boards. Organizers say the goal is to bring the community together to honor the greatest country in the world.
For the first time ever, KTBS/KPXJ and our generous sponsors are adding Cypress Lake to the list of fireworks locations. As always, no two fireworks locations are the same. Cypress Lake will be a family-friendly spot which means no alcohol allowed. The park will open at 8 a.m. for normal operations before everything kicks into gear at 5 p.m. The free event will feature live entertainment before the massive fireworks display over the lake. There will be no outside grills allowed. Look for designated parking and viewing areas. The main viewing location will be on the beach. It’s important to note that this location will be capacity limited for safety reasons. There will also be a flotilla on the water and there will be limited parking for boat trailers.
The smell of roses will be in the air on Independence Day at the American Rose Center. For the first time ever, America’s Rose Garden will be one of the premiere locations for fireworks viewing on July 4. This year is the 50th-anniversary of the American Rose Center being headquartered in Shreveport. The facility will open at 5:30 p.m. and feature food trucks, live music, bounce houses, and games prior to the big fireworks show. Families are encouraged to bring bring lawn chairs and picnic blankets as there is plenty of room to spread out and catch some shade. The event is a fundraiser for the non-profit. Entry will be $10 per person or $30 for a family of four.
You can go back in time with a trip to Jefferson, Texas for Independence Day courtesy of the Krewe of Hebe. The free festivities kick off at 6 p.m. at Otstott Park with Uncle Sam leading the Children’s Parade. Enjoy hot dogs, snow cones, and so much more as student organizations raise money for their causes. Enjoy the amazing fireworks display over Big Cypress Bayou. July 4 fireworks have been a tradition in Jefferson for more than 30 years.
The Maude Cobb Convention Center in Longview is another option in East Texas for plenty of Independence Day fun. Longview has become a destination on July 4 to catch the fireworks show. There will also be plenty of food, drinks, and live music. The event is free and it kicks off at 6:30 p.m. It’s being called Red, White, and Blues as Blues music will be the genre of the evening. Do what you can to cool off as it is expected to be hot. One way to beat the heat is with one of 500 hand-held fans that will be given away courtesy of Bayou Outdoor.
If you can’t make it to one of these locations, the Best Seat in the House is right in front of your television. You can stay at home and watch all the dazzling displays simultaneously on KTBS/KPXJ beginning at 9:30 p.m. The fireworks finale is sponsored by Brookshire’s Grocery Co., Hebert’s Town and Country, and Kilpatrick’s Rose-Neath Funeral Homes. Events of the day on July 4 will be covered on various television platforms.
For more information and for a schedule of events, go to KTBS.com/FreedomFest. The series is brought to you by the Bossier Parish Police Jury, the Caddo Commission, and the City of Shreveport. As always, we want to see your celebration. Share Your View of the Red, White, and Blue. Send of your photos to pics@KTBS.com or post them to our Facebook page, and to get more eyes on your pictures, be sure and use #KTBSSalutes on social media.
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