Fireworks, music and more in St. Landry Parish

    Enjoy Fourth of July fireworks at two celebrations Wednesday, July 4 in St. Landry Parish. Eunice hosts the area’s largest fireworks display at 9 p.m. Wednesday at the Eunice Recreation Complex, 461 Sittig St. Admission is free.

    The JC Melancon Band plays live music at the Independence Day Celebration from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Nall Park in Krotz Springs. Fireworks and patriotic music follow the performance. Hot dogs and soft drinks will be available.

Geno Delafose

    In other parish events:

    -- Zydeco musician Geno Delafose and equine businessman Don Stemmans are the honorees at the second annual Horses and Harmony at 6 p.m. Thursday, June 28 at the Evangeline Downs Event Center in Opelousas. Tickets, which are available at the door, are $25. The event features music and backyard barbecue-style cuisine. Partial proceeds go to the Opelousas-St. Landry Chamber of Commerce scholarship program. (337) 942-2683.
    -- Ruby Gardner continues the Grand Coteau Voices series at 7 p.m. Thursday, June 28 at Casa Azul, 232 ML King Drive, in Grand Coteau. The series features natives telling stories about their lives and memories in Grand Coteau. Renee Taylor recites poetry and there will be an open mic. (337) 662-1032, www.casaazul.homestead.com. -- Homer LeJeune and the Cajun Kings perform at the Rendez-Vous des Cajuns radio and TV show at 6 p.m. Saturday, June 30 at the Liberty Theater in downtown Eunice. Cajun, zydeco and Creole bands perform live in a family-oriented show in an historic 1924 vaudeville house. Broadcast live on radio with emcee. (337) 457-7389, www.eunice-la.com.
    -- Star Guitar goes against other horse racing rivals at Louisiana Legends Night Saturday, June 30 at Evangeline Downs Racetrack & Casino, I-49 exit 18, in Opelousas. Star Guitar is the richest Louisiana-bred of all-time with more than $1.6 million in earnings. (337) 594-3000, www.evangelinedowns.com.
    -- Percy Sledge, singer of “When a Man Loves a Woman” and other R&B classics, performs at 9 p.m. Saturday, June 30 in the Event Center at Evangeline Downs Racetrack and Casino. (337) 594-3000, www.evangelinedowns.com.
    -- Chris Himel and Outbound play the Old-Fashioned Barn Dance at 8 p.m. Saturday, June 30 at Lakeview Park & Beach, 1717 Veteran Memorial Highway, in Eunice. The Katelyn Johnson Band plays on the beach at 4 p.m. Sunday, July 1. (337) 457-2881, www.lvpark.com.
    -- Geno Delafose and French Rockin’ Boogie entertain at 9:30 p.m. Saturday, June 30 at the Delta Grand Theatre, 120. S. Market St., in downtown Opelousas. Tickets are $8 in advance, $10 at the door. (337) 407-1806, www.deltagrandtheatre.com.
    -- The Old Schoolhouse Antique Mall kicks off its Dog Days of Summer Sunday, July 1 at the Mall, 123 S. Church St., in Washington. Visitors can browse through antiques and receive a free print of “The Patriot.” (337) 826-3580.
    -- J. Paul and the Zydeco Nubreeds play at 8 p.m. Sunday, July 1 at Miller’s Zydeco Hall of Fame, 11154 Highway 190, in Lawtell. Leon Chavis and the Zydeco Flames, along with Lil Nate and the Zydeco Big Timers, perform at Da Official Block Party, an outdoor event, at 9 p.m. Tuesday, July 3. Built in 1947 as Richard’s Club, the Hall of Fame is the area’s oldest zydeco dancehall. (337) 319-0639.
    -- The Zydeco Ballers, an Opelousas-based dance group, hosts zydeco dance lessons at 6 p.m. every Thursday at the Opelousas Civic Center, exit 18 on I-49. Cost is $5. (337) 278-8495.

    In upcoming events, gourd artist Margaret Brinkhaus highlights First Fridays with a Little Lagniappe from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, July 6 at the St. Landry parish Visitor Information Center, I-49 exit 23. The series showcases local artists creating pieces from material salvaged during construction of the visitor center. Call (337) 948-8004 for more information.

    The 22^nd Annual Lebeau Zydeco Festival is set for noon to 10:30 p.m. July 7 at the Immaculate Conception Church Grounds on Hwy 71 south in Lebeau. Performers include DJ Ron Richard (noon), Lil Wayne (1:30 p.m.), Curley Taylor (3 p.m.), Lil Nate (4:30 p.m.), Chubby Carrier (6 p.m.), Step Rideau (7:30 p.m.), Leon Chavis (9 p.m.).

    For more information on parish events, call the St. Landry Parish Tourist Commission at (337) 948-8004 or visit www.cajuntravel.com.  Updates are posted on Facebook at St. Landry Parish – It’s Gumbo for Your Soul and Twitter @StLandryParish. Videos are online at www.youtube.com/StLandryParish.