Fourth of July can be a foodie’s holiday

Throwing a last-minute party Saturday and are scrambling around for ideas? Take a deep breath and begin America’s favorite holiday at the Farmers Market for the Star-Spangled Saturday featuring a Patriotic Picnic with cooking demos, crafts, baked goods, music, face-painting. Chef Jaime Hernandez teaches an easy gazpacho, tomato jam and watermelon salad, and most of the ingredients can be found at the market. 8 a.m. to noon. If you’re looking to get away from the usual downtown activity, take a quick 40-minute drive up Hwy. 67 to historic Clinton for the city’s annual Red, White and Blueberry Festival. Friday opens with a ceremony and street dance, complete with food and fireworks. Saturday the festival features a blueberry cook-off, various blueberry products, games, booths and a community market. Details at clintonla.com.