NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) — Happy 4th of July…our country’s 248th birthday! This holiday is filled with BBQs, fireworks, and ice cream…but there’s also a foot-tappin’ musical, fantastic fried catfish, and the largest African-American culture and music event in the U.S.…here are Where Y’at’s picks! First, Middendorf’s Seafood Restaurant is celebrating its 90th anniversary. Both of the restaurant’s locations will offer fun activities including face painting and live music featuring Christian Serpas with Ghost Town, and more, as well as of course their world-famous thin-fried catfish! For Independence Day fun, head to tonight’s free 4th Fest at Crescent Park and the Moonwalk…with live entertainment, food trucks, and more. It runs from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. and there’ll be performances by the Victory Belles and others. It’s the perfect spot to catch the fireworks over the River! If you’re looking to get out of town this holiday weekend, head to Beau Rivage Resort & Casino to catch Footloose the Musical. This musical, based on the Kevin Bacon film, will take you on a journey that’ll move your feet! Finally, celebrate another birthday, with the 30th anniversary of Essence Fest! Enjoy fantastic seminars at the Convention Center and Sugar Mill during the day, then catch artists including Usher, Birdman, Janet Jackson, and many more at the Caesars Superdome at night. Dress to impress for this wonderful event! For more ideas on things to do this July 4th weekend, as well as a complete preview of all the Essence Fest activities, grab the current issue of Where Y’at at locations all over town. Or log onto WhereYat.com and click “Latest Issue” to read it online. Stay up to date with the latest news, weather and sports by downloading the WGNO app on the Apple or Google Play stores and by subscribing to the WGNO newsletter. Latest Posts These Louisiana frogs freeze like popsicles in winter, then thaw and sing all summer long Red, white but rarely blue – the science of fireworks colors, explained FBI searching for Revolutionary War-era firearms stolen in heist Senate report calls for national action on hoarding disorder Ellen DeGeneres cancels select tour dates