The Petal Area Chamber of Commerce and the Downtown Hattiesburg Association are gearing up to present the fourth annual Coca-Cola Star-Spangled Celebration on the River, a family-oriented event and fireworks show on both sides of the Leaf River.
This year’s event will be held from 6-10 p.m. July 3 at Petal River Park and Chain Park, with a fireworks show scheduled for 9 p.m. The celebration is free and open to the public.
“We just feel like it’s a great way to celebrate the communities, and to really bring the two communities together,” said Andrea Saffle, executive director of the Downtown Hattiesburg Association. “It’s a good opportunity for both the cities and (Forrest) County to have an event that really celebrates the whole community.”
There is no charge to attend the event. Both sides of the river will offer live music, activities, a kids zone, and a variety of food vendors. Event T-shirts and tank tops will be available for purchase in both parks. Petal River Park also will have pony rides for children.
The music – which is presented by The First, A National Banking Association – will begin at 6:30 p.m., with the Petal side featuring “One Man Band” Charles Carter and Madewood Street Music. Chain Park will play host to Cadie Calhoun; officials have not yet determined who the closing act will be.
Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets to enjoy the festivities. Pets, glass, tents, ice chests and personal fireworks – including sparklers – are not permitted.
For the second time, alcohol will be sold on the Petal side. In the past, that endeavor was limited just to the Hattiesburg side.
Parking onsite is limited, but offsite parking with shuttle service will be available.
“We will have parking at the upper parking lot that Mississippi Power is a staging site for, right by the Petal River Park, so people will be able to park in there,” said Valerie Wilson, executive director of the Petal Area Chamber of Commerce. “We will have the shuttle running from down there to the entrance to the park, as well as the shuttle that loops up and down Highway 11, for people that may want to park a little further out and catch the shuttle back to the park.”
The Star-Spangled Celebration on the River began in 2019 after Wilson and Saffle collaborated to provide an opportunity that could be enjoyed by both the Petal and Hattiesburg communities. The event has grown steadily since its inception, with the 2019 celebration drawing approximately 11,000 guests.
“We look for it to be bigger and better than ever,” Wilson said. “Our fireworks display as large, if not larger, than ever.
“And of course, we’re still working with our partners across the river in Hattiesburg, which adds a lot of excitement to the entire event. We just enjoy bringing this to entire county and both cities at once.”
