For Immediate Release

Riverfront Marketing Group to Celebrate 25th Anniversary of the Dueling Barges Fireworks Display on the Historic New Orleans Riverfront!

            The Riverfront Marketing Group invites you to come down to the historic New Orleans Riverfront on Saturday, July 4, to celebrate Independence Day with the free 25th annual Go 4th on the River Dueling Barges Fireworks Show. Presented by Chevron, Versabar Inc., Zito Companies, New Orleans Tourism Marketing Corporation with New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau, Budweiser, The Berger Company, and The Westin New Orleans Canal Place, and by media sponsors Compucast Web Inc./ExperienceNewOrleans.com, Magic 101.9, WWL AM/FM/.com, WWL-TV Channel 4, and Inside New Orleans, plus twenty other community sponsors.

            The first Go 4th on the River event was produced in 1991 to mark the end of the Gulf War when President George H. W. Bush called upon Americans to celebrate Independence Day like never before. In 2002, following the harrowing events of 9/11, the group incorporated, forming the Riverfront Marketing Group, with the goal of producing the dueling barges fireworks display along the historic downtown New Orleans Riverfront. After Hurricane Katrina in 2005, barge costs soared, threatening to end the unique dueling barges fireworks display. The Riverfront Marketing Group was "adopted" by a "real live Uncle Sam" when Sam Zito, owner of Zito Companies, generously stepped forward to donate the use of two tugs and two barges. "Uncle" Sam Zito still donates the tugs and barges for what has become New Orleans nationally acclaimed Dueling Barges Fireworks Show, attracting locals and tourists from all over the world. Funding and additional non-cash support must be solicited each year to ensure the production of this traditional nationally acclaimed display.

            Recognized as one of the "TOP Five Must-See" fireworks displays in America by the American Pyrotechnics Association, the 25th milestone celebration on the historic downtown New Orleans Riverfront will feature the FREE spectacular dueling barges fireworks show over the Mississippi River at 9:00 p.m. The fireworks displays can be seen from the East and West Banks of the Mississippi River from the Outlet Collection at Riverwalk to the Governor Nicholls Street Wharf downriver of the Moonwalk near Jackson Square. Look for our new pastel color fireworks, hundreds of patriotic red, white and blue fireworks, special pattern shells like Butterflies, Saturns and Smiley Faces, plus loud titanium silver salutes, and, of course, the popular nautical floating shells that, when launched from each barge, will land in the water, creating towering, glittering fountains of shimmering sparks and cascading color.

To commemorate the 25th anniversary, the Port of New Orleans will bring out the General Roy S. Kelley fireboat to make a return appearance along the river, with its famed water show with plumes of red, white, and blue fountains beginning at 6:00 p.m. and leading up to the 9:00 p.m. fireworks show. The aging Gen. Kelley was used by the Port of New Orleans to fight fires, give tours, and conduct search-and-rescue missions on the Mississippi River. Built in 1994, the Gen. Kelley is 95 ft. long and 16 ft. wide with a 7 ft. draft. It seats 24 and typically has a crew of three.

            In honor of the 25th anniversary of Go 4th on the River, the Riverfront Marketing Group is hosting a photo contest. Simply take photos that capture the passion of this patriotic Independence Day celebration along the historic New Orleans Riverfront. Photos can show the heartwarming excitement on a child's face, the awe of the fireworks, or anything that celebrates the 4th of July New Orleans style. The only requirement is that the photos must include an element of the New Orleans Riverfront. To enter the photo contest, go to Go4thontheRiver.com.

              Bring your radios to the riveras Magic 101.9, WWL 870 AM and 105.3 FM, and WWL.com simulcast the dynamic fireworks show choreographed to stirring patriotic music that is heard all over the United States and on the World Wide Web.

            "This is such an exciting milestone, considering fireworks along the New Orleans riverfront were threatened before the Riverfront Marketing Group was born," says Bobbi Mannino, co-founder and treasurer of the Riverfront Marketing Group.

            Ample parkingis available at the Hilton New Orleans Riverside, the Garage at Canal Place, and the JAX parking lots.

To our valued guests at Jazz'n the Vines - Out of consideration to other attendees of the show, please abide by these courtesies when out at the winery - please make sure that younger audience members are not engaged in "horseplay" in the audience area, around the stage, or in and around the winery building. Children are welcome to play, if supervised, in the empty grass block behind the seating area. Also, please no smoking in the audience area, at the tasting table and outside bar, in the tasting room, or on the patio. You are welcome to smoke along the periphery of the viewing area if away from other guests or off to the sides.

Lastly, the winery and tasting room close at 4 pm the day of the show in order to get ready for the event. We re-open at 5 pm. As we only have a one-lane road in and out of the winery, please do not arrive before 5 pm to the gate in order to allow daytime guests as well as employees to leave or arrive. Thank you very much for your attention and patronage at Jazz'n the Vines and Pontchartrain Vineyards! 

Jazz'n the Vines - Benny Grunch & The Bunch (7/11 rescheduled from 4/18!)

The Spanish Plaza turns French for a day!
For the fourth year, New Orleans' Bastille Day weekend's main event is Bastille Day Fête: a free, public festival taking place this year at the revitalized Spanish Plaza at the Riverwalk. Catch a Mississippi River breeze while feasting on delicious French food from local restaurants and dancing to the sound of live music. This year's line-up will feature exceptional local artists and francophone acts.

Children will be treated to face painting, French storytelling, arts activities, and the chance to explore a fireboat! (Traditionally in France Bastille Day celebrations are held in firehouses). We'll also have a Bastille Day-themed photo booth by Photeaux Bella.

And to top it off, dogs are invited too...dress up your pup for the annual French Dog Contest where all dogs are welcome to show off their French spirit and win prizes!
Considering bicycling down to the Spanish Plaza? Pas de soucis! Park your bike hassle free at Bike Easy's Bicycle Valet presented by Cox.

Festival Schedule

11:00-12:00 Music on Stage by Sunpie & the Louisiana Sunspots
11:30-3:00pm Bastille Day Fireboat Tours presented by The Port of New Orleans
12:00-12:30 Welcome to the Festival from MC Mark Romig (NOTMC) and Festival Presenters: Alliance Française of New Orleans, Consulate General of France & French-American Chamber of Commerce
12:30-13:30 Music on Stage by T'Monde
13:30-14:00 Bastille Day Dog Costume Contest Concours du chien le plus français
14:00-14:30 Kids Performing
14:30-15:00 Panier "Guest the Weight of the Bask" Winner Announced; Awards to Photo Contest Winners
15:00 - 16:00 Grammy-winning Hot 8 Brass Band
15:30- Water Show on the River presented by The Port of New Orleans

Food Vendors Include:

Antoine's
Café Degas
Crèpes à la carte
St. James Cheese Company
Breads on Oak
Petit Rouge Coffee Truck
Plum Street Snoball serving a special Bastille Day snowball