Morgan City, Patterson make plans for Independence Day blast

Two area Fourth of July events — one Friday and another Sunday — are scheduled for the Tri-City area.
Friday, the Patterson Police Department will host its Community Bash in Morey Park from 6-10 p.m.
Patterson Police Chief Garrett Grogan said it is an event to unite the city after being idle for so long due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Everybody’s been locked down, so we’re trying to do something just to get the community back together,” he said.
The event will feature a performance by Low Down Band from 6-8 p.m. before Dj Fab will entertain from 8-10 p.m.
No ice chests are allowed. Food and drink vendors will be on site.
COVID-19 shots will be offered for free, too.
Sunday, the 4th of July Lake Jam event will be held at Lake End Parkway in Morgan City from 1-9 p.m.
Admission to the parkway is free.
“You’re invited to come by land, by water,” Morgan City Main Street Executive Director Beth Price said in a Facebook Live video Monday. “We would love to have you either way.”
Face painting, an axe-throwing event and food and drinks will be sold.
Patrons are encouraged to bring cash because not all vendors have card readers.
“Support the event, y’all,” Price said. “Leave the ice chests at home. All of the funds go towards different things, and of course for the Boy Scouts, for Main Street and for Xtreme Athletics, it’s fundraisers. So support it as much as you can.”
Three bands will perform on the judge’s stand. Southern Roots Band will entertain 1-2:30 p.m., while Just Cuz Band will perform 3-5 p.m.
The final band will be Jamie Bergeron & The Kickin’ Cajuns, who will perform 5:30-8:30 p.m.
Fireworks will be shot from a barge in the middle of Lake Palourde at 8:30 p.m.
“We will have a perimeter set up around the barge,” Price said. “There’s going to be sheriff’s office out there, and the Police Department out there. Please be smart. Be responsible. It’s very important. Safety is very important for this event.
“If it doesn’t work out well, we’ll know it’s something that we won’t be able to do in the future, so it kind of depends on you guys,” Price said. “Be smart.”
While Lake End Parkway will not have a fee, there still will be a fee for the Lake End Park Campground.
The only entrance for parking for Sunday’s event will be by Lake End Bark, the city dog park.
Also, the boat launch on the parkway by the judge’s stand will be closed Saturday afternoon and remain closed Sunday.
“We can’t have traffic driving through the area,” Price said.
Boaters can launch at Lake End Park Campground, though.
At the site of Sunday’s event, the dock only will be used for temporary parking for those who want to purchase food or drinks. Those who would like to dock their boats and come on land will have to do so along the nearby jetty or by the parkway.
While bad weather has been forecast, organizers are watching predictions for the event.
“We’re going to monitor it until we can’t monitor it anymore, and I’ll update you guys every day,” said Price, who plans to provide updates via the Morgan City Main Street Facebook Page.
Sunday’s festivities also will feature a “Stuff the Bus” event at the parkway.
“If you’re feeling in the mood to donate something, bring school supplies,” Price said. “We’ll fill up the bus.”
The supplies will be distributed to local students in need. Price said another “Stuff the Bus” event probably will be held later this summer.