Beaumont readies for Fourth of July Celebration

John Adams envisioned a great anniversary festival. Before the Declaration of Independence was signed, Adams wrote a letter to Abigail Adams on July 3, 1776 that read “It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more.”

Congress led the way for the encouragement of fireworks on the Fourth of July by authorizing a display on July 4, 1777, in Philadelphia, a year after the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

Fast forward a few centuries, no one throws a Fourth of July party like the City of Beaumont.

Now in its 36th year, the City of Beaumont will host a celebration like no other Monday, July 4, at the Downtown Event Centre (700 Crockett St.) from 5-9 p.m. This spectacular freedom fest offers a sensational salute to our nation’s history featuring live entertainment, food trucks and the largest fireworks show in town.

Admission is free and open to the public.

Local food trucks will offer a selection of food, beverages and sweet treats for sale including the popular food trucks Rudy’s Pork-A-Bob, Old West Smoke Company, who will be serving up brisk tacos, quesadillas, brisket mac-n-cheese and brisket ramen bowls, Cracklin’ Kings, KO Korean Grill, Concessions Plus and don’t forget to cool off from selections such as Mabel’s Texas Twister Drinks, Stuart’s Lemonade and Tyrrell’s Ice Cream.

Gates will open at 5 p.m. and feature music from Mambo Jazz Kings, Curse & The Cure, Pop Gun and sounds by So Hype DJs.

Originating from the Galveston area in 1985, the Mambo Jazz Kings have been pleasing crowds for more three decades. They are a high energy dance band that can lay down every funky beat from Earth Wind and Fire to Prince. The band’s resume of music also includes the big band sounds of Frank Sinatra, Bobby Darin and Glen Miller.

Curse & the Cure is not your typical music act, acoustic or otherwise. They’re a little different. Featuring the voices of Norma and Jason Touchette, the duo achieves amazing harmonies that equates a rollercoaster of vocals.

A special patriotic performance by the Symphony of Southeast Texas will begin at 8 p.m. and lead in to the fireworks show.

“The Symphony has partnered with the City of Beaumont for over 20 years on a variety of venues, a barge on the Neches, on the lawn of the Downtown Event Centre, and mostly at the Julie Rogers Theatre,” said Douglas Fair, Executive Director of the Symphony of Southeast Texas. “The concert will have such favorites as John Williams’ ‘Cowboy Overture,’ Richard Rogers’ ‘Victory at Sea,’ and our special guests, The Southeast Texas Starlettes,’ who will sing a variety of tunes, such as ‘Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy.’ The concert is free to the public and will end in time to walk outside and see the fireworks.”

Lawn chairs, blankets and coolers are permitted, but will be subject to search. No outside alcohol may be brought in to the event.

Patrons should also download the free Sky Wonder Pyrotechnics App to your smartphone to hear the music accompanying the fireworks display.

“We welcome everyone to join us for the annual City of Beaumont Fourth of July Celebration,” said Emily Wheeler, Director of Event Services. “Of course, the fireworks are the main attraction, but the music lineup is really fun this year and we know the community will enjoy the performers. Our sponsors truly help make this event a success and we could not do it without Del Papa Distributing and Classic Southeast Texas.”

Early arrival is strongly encouraged.

For more information, view beaumonteventstx.com or call (409) 838-3435.

-Chad Cooper, Entertainment Editor