Second-Annual Patriots’ Parade and Fireworks Display

by Terry Trahan, Jr.

Two years ago, the Fourth of July simmered in the summer’s heat without a rocket’s red glare. No one sparked the fuse that had sent fireworks blazing into Terrebonne Parish’s night sky in years past.

At home, festivities involved grilling burgers and hot dogs on the barbecue pit and watching celebrations around the country on primetime TV. There was no community hoopla over Independence Day.

On July 6, 2008, Ray Ordoyne, commander of the Houma United Veterans League, approached A. J. “Dr. D” dela Houssaye at the ophthalmologist’s office, SEECA Medical, to discuss bringing back a community celebration in honor of veterans and the national holiday.

With an outpouring of help from sponsors and volunteers, Dr. D and the Regional Military Museum organized the first-annual Patriots’ Parade and Fireworks Display in 2009.

“We ended up raising about $80,000 to put the event on last year,” Dr. D says. “It was amazing cooperation from the community.”

Dr. D and the Independence Day Committee have prepared another daylong event on July 3 to celebrate veterans and soldiers of the U.S. military who continue to fight for the freedoms enjoyed by all Americans.

At 10 a.m., a wreath-laying ceremony and parade will kick off the event at Veterans Memorial Park on Highway 311 again this year, but the committee is adding something special.

“We’re going to focus on the spouses whose husbands have been deployed,” says Lee Shaffer, chairman of the Independence Day Committee, referencing the loved ones of the Charlie and Delta Companies, based in Houma and Thibodaux, respectively.

The parade, which begins at the park, will feature floats, bands, classic military vehicles from the Regional Military Museum and patriotic camaraderie as it rolls by crowds to the Houma-Terrebonne Civic Center.

The tradition of parking alongside roads near the civic center to watch flyovers and fireworks has survived, but the committee urges those who park to join in the festivities as well.

“They’re missing the whole atmosphere,” Dr. D says. “Go ahead and park and walk to the civic center to be with everybody.”

 That’s where they’ll find the music and fun. And in south Louisiana, where music plays, food isn’t far away.

Vendors will sell festival favorites like jambalaya, barbecue and snowballs, among other popular items on the menu. Though organizers provided food free of charge to 5,000 people at last year’s event, Dr. D says much of the money raised went toward that expense. This time around, those who celebrate the Fourth at the civic center can sample a greater variety of foods, taking pressure off the committee and freeing funds to provide more activities.

The schedule reflects the adjustment. Planned events leave little room for downtime.

Once the parade arrives at the civic center around noon, the Houma-Terrebonne Community Band will fill the air with notes of red, white and blue. Look upward as the Gravity Devils skydive and touch down as the T’Canaille Cajun Band takes the stage.

At 5 p.m., the Bayou Runners Association plans to host a half-mile fun run for kids. The 2-mile Independence Day Dash walk-run follows 30 minutes later.

The half-mile run is just one of many activities planned for children at this year’s event.

Wendy Jeffcoat, executive director of Kids in Motion Discovery Playhouse, says bounce houses, pony rides, a petting zoo and the playhouse’s bubble factory are among activities prepared with kids in mind. Hans Geist, a local artist, will be painting a mural with junior Picassos who want to participate as well. Papillion will also be a must-see for children.

“They are really taking the kids aspect of the event to the next level,” Dr. D says about the sponsors and volunteers working to make the day equally enjoyable for the children.

As the sun sets on the daytime fun, the Navy Band, Treater,  Waylon Thibodeaux and Tab Benoit plan to carry the local jams into the night, concluding with an elaborate fireworks display at 9:30 p.m.

“It’s good to just bring people together in the community and understand that we’re all part of the same team,” Lee says.

While the Patriots’ Parade and Fireworks Display achieves its primary goal by honoring veterans and celebrating the nation’s freedom, Dr. D still has a dream for the events yet to come.

“I want to try to bring turtle races to Houma’s Fourth of July,” he says, noting his former title as St. Martinville turtle-racing champion. “It’s a Cajun tradition.”