Today is Fourth of July! Celebrations at the National WWII Museum, the French Market and Riverwalk, Pontchartrain Park, Algiers Ferry Dock, Bayou St. John, and Mandeville. On this day in history, blues pianist Champion Jack Dupree was born in New Orleans (1910), trumpeter Shamarr Allen was born in New Orleans (1980), and our nation was born (1776).

4th of July in New Orleans

Independence Day (The National WWII Museum, 10:00am-4:00pm) The National WWII Museum honors our patriots, starting with a Naturalization Ceremony from 10:00am-11:00am, where new citizens will be sworn in. From 11:00am-12:00pm, Jefferson Chorale performs its annual concert. From 12:00pm-1:00pm, Kenneth Hoffman lectures on “Turtle Stacking for Victory: The WWII Cartoon of Dr. Seuss” in the Orientation Center. From 2:00pm-4:00pm, the New Orleans Concert Band will perform.

4th on the River 2012 (Riverwalk, French Market, French Quarter, all day) Celebrate July 4th on the River with dueling barges fireworks extravaganza and live music, hosted by the Riverfront Marketing Group. From noon ‘til 2pm, the Strolling Riverwalk Jazz Band will perform at the Riverwalk Marketplace. At 2:30pm, the Navy Band New Orleans Brass Band will perform at the Steamboat Natchez Dock. At 4:00pm, the Navy Band New Orleans Brass Quintet will perform at the Riverwalk Marketplace, Bon Fete Food Court. Also at 4:00pm, the WWII Museum’s Victory Belles will perform across from Jackson Square at Washington Artillery Park. At 5:00pm, Amanda Shaw & the Cute Guys will perform at Washington Artillery Park. At 7:00pm, the Navy Band New Orleans Ceremonial Band will perform at Washington Artillery Park. At 9:00pm, look up, as the Dueling Barges Fireworks Extravaganza begins!

4th Annual 4th of July Celebration (Pontchartrain Park, 3:00-10:00pm) Guests will be treated to a traditional barbeque with all of the fixings, beverages, cotton candy, sno cones, kickball, hula hoops, volleyball, horseshoes, three-legged race, sack race, water balloon toss, marbles, tug of war, pie eating contest, water slides, face painting, a DJ, classic movies on an outside screen, fireworks, and the annual “Pontchartrain Park Idol” talent contest.

Wednesdays on the Point (Algiers Ferry Dock, 5:00-9:00pm) Watch the Dueling Barges Fireworks Extravaganza over the Mississippi River from a different perspective – the West Bank. Johnny Sketch & the Dirty Notes, Zena Moses & Rue Fiya All-Stars, and Romy Kaye & the Brent Walsh Jazz Trio provide tunes for the blasts. Vendors have the beer and food.

Bayou St. John Boat Parade (Bayou St. John, 5:00-8:00pm) The Krewe of Kolossos hosts a Bayou Boat Parade for July 4th. Anyone is invited to come bring their floating devices, or rent a kayak for $20 through Bayou Kayaks. Trying to get a DUI on the bayou or littering fine are discouraged by the Krewe, but, heck. Mary-Devon Dupuy spoke to Katrina Brees, founding member of the Krewe of Kolossos, about the parade’s purpose.

4th of July in Mandeville

Mandeville Seafood Festival (Fontainebleau State Park, Mandeville, noon-10:00pm) Seafood, drinks, arts & crafts, carnival rides, 4th of July fireworks, and live music on two stages: Rick Samson, Redline, Soul Revival, 5 Finger Discount, Big Fun Brass Band, Soul Script, and Alysha Black-Wimberly. $15.

Old Fashioned 4th of July Celebration (Maritime Museum, 2:00-9:00pm) Madisonville will turn back the clock and have an old-fashion 4th of July with a town parade starting at the Maritime Museum at 2:00pm, children’s beauty pageant at 4:00pm in front of Town Hall, apple pie baking contest, horseshoe tournament, beer chugging contest, three-legged race, sack race, hula-hoops, and a watermelon eating contest. There will be no food for sale. People are encouraged to bring grills, coolers and picnics to the Riverfront.