The Natchitoches Downtown Riverbank was the place to be as the city put on one of its signature fireworks shows to celebrate Independence Day. The eager crowd gathered at the water’s edge and riverbank seating area. The show, as always, did not disappoint with its usual strong beginning and a crescendo at the end worthy of an artillery barrage. The City of Natchitoches is one of the finest fireworks venues in the USA. Happy birthday America!

The 244th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence was not the only thing being celebrated in downtown Natchitoches that evening. The Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame and Northwest Louisiana History Museum hosted its first wedding Saturday, July 4. Mr. and Mrs. Kristopher and Zacchea Lewis were married at the museum and also held their reception at the venue. Kristopher is a Natchitoches native and is an alumni of Dillard University while Zacchea hails from Kentucky and is an alumnae of Berea College. The couple met while teaching in South Louisiana in the Teach for America program. The newlywed couple and bridal party lent a delightful lagniappe to the evening’s events as they left the museum as a group to see the fireworks.

The Natchitoches Parish Journal wishes to thank Mr. and Mrs. Lewis for their service to our state’s children and to extend our best wishes as they set out on their journey together. May the Lord grant them many years!