July 4th Event to be Held at J. Bennett Johnston Waterway Regional Visitor Center

By Kavanaugh BreazealeJuly 12, 2012

Vicksburg, Miss……The Corps of Engineers' (Corps) Louisiana Field Office (LFO) of the Vicksburg District is working with the Aquatic Wildlife Education Foundation and the Shreveport Public Assembly and Recreation to present a spectacular Independence Day celebration. This event will be held in Shreveport, Louisiana, at the Corps' J. Bennett Johnston Waterway Regional Visitor Center.

The public is invited to visit the Corps' booth to participate in water safety demonstrations and exercises that will be given by the LFO rangers. Rangers will fit and give free life jackets to those visiting the booth on a first-come basis. The visitor center will be open from 1:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. where exhibitors will provide information on water safety, Red River history, and other educational safety topics.

Over 75,000 members of the public are expected to attend the entire event which will run from 1:00 p.m. until 11:00 p.m. Entertainment, fireworks, exhibits, and over 20 vendors are expected to take part in the overall event.

The LFO provides day-use activities and some camping in areas that include the Ouachita-Black River, Red River, Bayou Bodcau, Caddo Lake, and Wallace Lake. Over 1,338,566 visitors use these facilities annually.