Patriotic music, songs will fill the air July 4th

If you're in the mood to celebrate the July 4th holiday, the Stars & Stripes Celebration in downtown Lafayette on Thursday should fill the bill.

Food truck vendors will open at 5 p.m. at Second and Main streets near the depot, where many of the activities will start. Bring your own chairs to sit near the action. Vendors will offer sweet treats as well as tacos and pizza.

At 6 p.m., the Lafayette Jeff Jazz Combo and alumni band will perform. At 7, Clave Caribe, a Latin music band, will take over.

The Lafayette Citizens Band and Freedom Singers will begin the patriotic part of the program at 8 p.m., performing such selections as "America the Beautiful," "Stars and Stripes Forever" and the national anthem, according to the city program.

At 9 p.m., the Tippecanoe Ancient Fife and Drum Corps will appear before the citizens band and singers take over again at 9:15. Their finale is slated to be "Overture: 1812" before the fireworks begin at 10 p.m. Music to accompany the fireworks display will be broadcast on Q106.7.

Organizers say alcohol, smoking and bringing fireworks are prohibited, and they ask that you do not bring your pets.