On Friday night, Sweetland Amphitheatre will host its annual Red, White and Blue event, which not only brings the community together, but also celebrates local veterans. 

The event has a little bit of everything — music from the LaGrange Community Band, a perfor-mance by Rosie the Riveter and a meet and greet. The veteran’s event, which includes active duty military members and their families, is a reminder of why we are able to celebrate our nation’s birthday each Fourth of July. 

We live in a community and country where we have countless freedoms that can be taken for granted if you don’t occasionally pause to remember the price that was paid for that freedom. 

We all get a day off work, but the Fourth of July about more than just setting off fireworks and grilling out. Friday’s event is a chance to celebrate a few days early, and we encourage you to in-vite your whole family out. It really is a fun time. 

As soon as the sun sets, Mary Poppins Returns will be played on the outdoor screen on the Sweet-land stage. Local vendors will be at Sweetland too, selling everything from pork skins to Frios Gourmet Pops. 

There are also a couple of stage side tables available for concert goers to reserve and prizes will be awarded for the table with the best red, white and blue decorations. 

The event will be fun for the entire community. 

We hope to see you there.