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Meaghan and Travis Graham and children, Mallory, 10, and Lawson, 9, play corn hole during the July 4 celebration Tuesday. (Jan Griffey | The Natchez Democrat)

Cha Cha Boo kicks off Music Tuesday at July 4 celebration. (Jan Griffey | The Natchez Democrat)

Finley Chandler, 9, tries her hand at hop scotch Tuesday. (Jan Griffey | The Natchez Democrat)

Fireworks over the Mississippi Tuesday night ended the July 4 celebration. (Jan Griffey | The Natchez Democrat)

Fireworks over the Mississippi Tuesday night ended the July 4 celebration. (Jan Griffey | The Natchez Democrat)

NATCHEZ — By 9 p.m. Tuesday night, not a vacant square inch of concrete or land for parking was available from the length of Canal and Broadway and side streets in both directions.

Thousands of Miss-Lou residents — young and old and in between — lined the Bluff in Natchez, waiting to get a glimpse of the July 4 Fireworks show, which did not disappoint. Fireworks commenced at 9:30 p.m. as promised and concluded with a spectacular grand finale at 9:45 p.m.

While clouds threatened rain earlier in the evening, it held off and made for a beautiful summer evening, which began with Live at Five at 5 p.m. and included a tribute to veterans of World War II.

The city and sponsors of the event had games and activities for children, while businesses like Concordia Bank, Home Bank, Performance Dodge and Nola Lending, provided tents for those who needed shade and handed out bottled water. City staffers and volunteers worked hard during the heat of the afternoon putting up industrial-size fans and misting fans, which helped keep participants cool.

The band Cha Cha Boo — consisting of Gary Caldwell on bass and backup vocals and Tommy Porter drums and backup vocals, Travis McDonald on guitar and lead vocals and Alan Goodwin on guitar and backup vocals — started the music off.

“I love Live at Five. I come to all of them that I can,” said Dottie Gaudet. “What is nice is when they do Live at Five when the boats are in. It’s a great welcome to Natchez.”

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