SHREVEPORT, La. – Freedom. It means different things to different people. It can 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 once again pleased to present the finale of Freedom Fest. 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, that fantastic fireworks display. We hope you’ll join us and recommit yourself to the principles that have carried us through history. There will be no shortage of patriotism this year. Just like in 2023, there will be several locations in ArkLaTex where you can watch the spectacular fireworks displays courtesy of Pyromania.
“In this day and age, when the bonds of family and faith bind us together, patriotism remains a beacon of hope and unity. As we celebrate the Fourth of July, let us remember that this date is not just a blip on the calendar, but a testament to our shared history and values. It is a day to honor the sacrifices we have made for our freedom and rejoice in the blessings of liberty. That is why KTBS hosted a spectacular fireworks display in six communities that underscores the deep meaning of the Fourth of July. 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 history,” said KTBS/KPXJ Station Manager George Sirven.
The 2024 KTBS 3 Freedom Fest Series is brought to you by the Bossier Parish Police Jury, 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 possible.
“This year, KTBS has put on a spectacular fireworks display in honor of this special day, with dazzling fireworks displays in downtown Shreveport, South Bossier, Jefferson Texas, Longview, Texas and two new stunning locations: the American Rose Center and the shores 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’s 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 history,” Sirven said.
KTBS/KPXJ will be covering First News starting July 4, leading up to our special broadcast starting at 7 p.m. Fireworks are set to light up the sky 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 ArkLaTex before the explosive finale.
Mariah Hester
Maggie Stevens
Here are some of the events we organized in the lead up to this year’s Freedom Fest finale.
LIFE JACKET RAFFLE
Nearly 800 children drown each year, and more than half of them are under the age of five. That’s why free life jackets were given away as part of the KTBS 3 Freedom Fest Series 2024 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 distributed at three locations in Shreveport and Bossier City.
Flag competition
Many did not miss the opportunity to fly the Old Glory on Flag Day (June 14). KTBS and our sponsors invited you to stop 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 have been distributed since early June. Remember to fly your American flag in memory of the dead and in honor of those who served.
SPECIAL CONTENT
The 2024 Freedom Fest series is full of events, giveaways, and special content leading up to Independence Day. We’ve featured Freedom Fest editorials, Messages of Hope, Hometown Patriot, and more.
FINALE OF THE FREEDOM FEST
On July 4, starting at 9:30 p.m., fireworks will light up the sky simultaneously at six locations in ArkLaTex. They are located across from Sci-Port in downtown Shreveport, the American Rose Center, South Bossier Park, Bossier’s Cypress Lake, Jefferson, Texas and Longview, Texas.
DOWNTOWN SHREVEPORT
Thanks to the Shreveport Regional Arts Council, there’s plenty of family fun for everyone at Shreveport’s Riverview Park and Amphitheater. You’ll find food trucks, art and shopping, then entertainment on stage starting at 7 p.m. There will also be a kids’ zone on the grassy area just behind the Shreveport Aquarium, and don’t be surprised if you come across the giant Brookshire shopping cart we see all over town at big events like Mardi Gras. It all leads up to the amazing fireworks display with 3″, 4″, 5″ and 6″ shells. As always, the Bakowski Bridge lights will be lit up red, white and blue.
SOUTH BOSSIER PARK
A crowd favorite for watching the Independence Day fireworks is South Bossier Park. Last year, nearly 2,000 people flocked to the park to enjoy the food trucks and live music before the amazing fireworks. This year, thanks to Open Door Fellowship Church, there will be an expanded family area with a large tent where worship groups will play music, bounce houses and cornhole boards will be set up. Organizers say the goal is to bring the community together to honor the greatest country in the world.
BOSSIER CYPRESS LAKE
For the first time, 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 location, meaning no alcohol is allowed. The park will open for normal operations at 8 a.m. before everything kicks off at 5 p.m. The free event will feature live entertainment before the huge fireworks display over the lake. Outdoor grilling is not permitted. Look for designated parking and viewing areas. The main viewing location is on the beach. It’s important to note that this location has limited capacity for safety reasons. There will also be a flotilla on the water and there is limited parking for boat trailers.
AMERICAN ROSE CENTER
The scent of roses will fill the air at the American Rose Center on Independence Day. For the first time ever, the American Rose Garden will be one of the best places to watch the fireworks on the Fourth of July. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the fireworks display.th Anniversary of the founding of the American Rose Center in Shreveport. The facility opens at 5:30 p.m. and features food trucks, live music, bounce houses and games before the big fireworks show. Families are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and picnic blankets as there is plenty of room to spread out and find some shade. The event is a fundraiser for the nonprofit. Admission is $10 per person or $30 for a family of four.
JEFFERSON, TEXAS
You can step back in time with a trip to Jefferson, Texas for Independence Day, courtesy of the Krewe of Hebe. The free festivities begin at 6 p.m. in Otstott Park, with Uncle Sam leading the children’s parade. Enjoy hot dogs, snow cones and more while student organizations raise money for their causes. Enjoy the amazing fireworks display over Big Cypress Bayou. The Fourth of July fireworks display has been a tradition in Jefferson for more than 30 years.
LONGVIEW, TEXAS
The Maude Cobb Convention Center in Longview is another East Texas option for plenty of Independence Day fun. Longview has become a destination for watching the fireworks on the Fourth of July. There will also be plenty of food, drinks and live music. The event is free and starts at 6:30 p.m. It is called Red, white and blue because blues music will be the genre of the evening. Do what you can to cool off because it’s going to be hot. One way to escape the heat is with one of the 500 hand fans that will be distributed 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 home and watch all the dazzling displays simultaneously on KTBS/KPXJ starting at 9:30 p.m. The closing fireworks display is sponsored by Brookshire’s Grocery Co., Hebert’s Town and Country and Kilpatrick’s Rose-Neath Funeral Homes.
The events of the Fourth of July day will be broadcast on various television platforms. The schedule can be found below.
Reporting plan
- 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. – KPXJ & KTBS 3.3
- 5:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. – KTBS & KTBS 3.3
- 5:30 p.m. – World News Tonight on KTBS
- 18:00 – 19:00 – KTBS & KTBS 3.3
- 7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. – KPXJ, KTBS & KTBS 3.3
- 10pm – KTBS & KTBS 3.3
For more information and a schedule of events, visit KTBS.com/FreedomFest. The series is brought to you by the Bossier Parish Police Jury, Caddo Commission and the City of Shreveport.
As always, we want to see your celebration. Share your thoughts on the red, white and blue. Send us your photos to [email protected] or post them on our Facebook page. And to get more exposure for your pictures, be sure to use #KTBSSalutes on social media.
