Celebrate Independence Day in Vicksburg

If you’re itching to get out of the house tomorrow, Vicksburg offers some terrific entertainment to celebrate Independence Day.

Baseball fans should head to the Ultimate World Series at noon on the 4th, Sports Force Parks, 255 Fisher Ferry Rd. for the 4th of July Fireworks Classic. The tournament is a sanctioned Nations Baseball tournament for youth travel baseball teams from across the region. $10 admission ($15 for the weekend) includes unlimited access to the miniature golf course, zip line, play grounds and planned entertainment activities throughout the weekend.

For family fun, entertainment and good food, head to the McNutt House, 815 First East Street, from noon to 7 p.m. They will have a jump house and several cornhole toss stations for the kids. For the older folks we have plenty of shade and some great live blues music. Who doesn’t love BBQ? We have the best in town (Goldies Express) preparing a special menu. Italian Ice (ice cream) will be on site, plus plenty of Coke, Diet Code, Sprite and water will be on hand for just $1 each. Of course no hot 4th of July would be complete without a cold craft or domestic beer (16 oz cups for just $3 each).

For a little more adult entertainment and libations, from 6 to 10 p.m., head to the 10 South Rooftop Bar & Grill, 1301 Washington Street, where Chris Gill will be playing live.

For your history fix, head to the Vicksburg National Military Park to commemorate the 156th anniversary of the surrender of Vicksburg from 9 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. The park will have living history and cannon demonstrations at 10 a.m., noon, 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. starting tomorrow and going through Sunday, July 7. A special surrender program will be held July 4t at the Surrender Interview site. Stop by the visitor center for directions. These programs are free, however, visitors are required to pay the $15 per car entrance fee to the park.

For even more history, head to the McRaven Home, 1445 Harrison Street, from 10 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. for a tour. McRaven was built in three stages in 1797, 1836 and 1849 but as each section was added, the previous wasn’t updated. This resulted in National Geographic naming the house “The Time Capsule of the South.” History tours are about 45-minutes long and they give an in-depth history of the house, the families, the antiques and the time periods of the home. Feel free to bring your kids and to ask your certified history tour guide any questions because they cater each tour to the guests’ interests. Adults, $15′ Students (6-18) $10; 5 and under free.

Finally, the Vicksburg Fireworks Extravaganza kicks off at 7 p.m. with live entertainment from Dr. Zarr’s Funk Monster at the Old Depot Museum, 1010 Levee Street. The fireworks begin at 9 p.m. Free.