Donaldsonville’s Independence Day celebration included small business vendors, check presentations for Ascension Parish programs and organizations and a fireworks display.

The event, held July 3 at Donaldsonville’s Crescent Park, also featured music by the Michael Foster Project and Big Frank & Lil Frank.

The “Fireworks on the River” celebration “goes back many, many years as a way to not conflict with Baton Rouge’s fireworks celebration,” said Mayor Leroy Sullivan.

Sullivan said the city’s event generally has around 2,500 attendees and 20 vendors.

“The day means a celebration of the independence of the United States,” Sullivan said. “We celebrate that, and we all enjoy it, just like Juneteenth was a celebration of freedom, so is July Fourth.”

Ascension Parish President Clint Cointment, State Sen. Ed Price, State Rep. Ken Brass, as well as officials from Nicholls State University, River Parishes Community College and the River Road African American Museum were on hand for various check presentations.

According to the city of Donaldsonville, the following organizations received:

  • $2 million to the Donaldsonville High School and River Parishes Community College workforce development center at Donaldsonville High
  • $100,000 to the city of Donaldsonville for the Lemann Memorial Center improvements
  • $2 million to Ascension Parish Government for the early childhood development center in Donaldsonville, which is a partnership with Nicholls State University
  • $1.5 million dedicated for the Highway 945 St. Patrick Street overlay and drainage improvements
  • $100,000 to the River Road African American Museum

Deverie Moll, of Donaldsonville, and owner of Bougee Diva, featured her line of dazzling and bejeweled bracelets, hats, shoes and other accessories.

“I came out here last year and it was successful,” said Moll, who has owned her business for five years.

Herb Plummer, owner of Suga Plum, traveled from Belle Rose to sell his pralines. Plummer said the event was a day for the community to come together.

“I like the atmosphere and wanted to sell items like my arm candies that are good conversation pieces,” Plummer said.

Plummer and his mother, Sharonica Gaines, also sold Ronnie Ma’s popcorn, Plummer, 34, started selling his candies as a 16-year-old.

“It’s rewarding to see customers’ smile when they bite into what you’ve made,” Plummer added. “The way you make it makes it special. You have to bake with love.”

Volunteers of America’s booth registered children for free books from the Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.

“This is a program that’s helping promote children’s literacy with help from area businesses, such as CF Industries,” said Tonya Harden, VOA’s South Central Louisiana’s program director.

Parton’s program offers one free book each month up until the age of 5.

“July Fourth is a time for the community to reflect on the past and being present in the moment while looking at where we are going in the future,” Harden said.