Local 8 Headlines
Fourth of July celebrations in East Tennessee
Posted: $util.date("h:mm a MMM d, yyyy",$story.contentLiveDate,$timeZone)
Reporter: Whitney Kent
Looking for something to do this Fourth of July? Well here's a list of events in East Tennessee:
• Starting on Tuesday July 3rd in Downtown Gatlinburg; The 37the annual Gatlinburg Fourth of July Midnight Parade will honor American heroes.
• The fireworks display begins at 10:00 p.m. Followed by the 100th Army Band Concert. Then at the stroke of midnight the "First July Fourth Parade in the Nation” will step off.
• On Wednesday July 4th at 9:30 a.m. the Town of Farragut will host the 25th Annual Independence Day Parade. The parade starts on Kingston Pike at Lendon Welch Way (Farragut High School entrance) and continue to Boring Road, just east of Farragut Towne Square Shopping Center (old Ingles store site).
Due to the parade, Kingston Pike will be closed from Concord Road to Boring Road from 8:30 a.m. to around noon.
Here's a list of those parade detours:
North side - Campbell Station Road to Grigsby Chapel Road to Smith Road to Kingston Pike (going west) or Campbell Station Road to Parkside Drive to Lovell Road (going east).
South side – Concord Road to Turkey Creek Road to Virtue Road to Kingston Pike (going west) or Concord Road to Kingston Pike (going east). S. Campbell Station Road will be open to the private road just south of the former Silver Spoon for access to the bank, post office, etc.
• In Roane County they are celebrating with the 136th Annual "Smokin' the Water" celebration. The festivities are from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. at the Kingston City Park.
There's something for everyone including wakeboard competitions, live music, games, food, and crafts. The fireworks display over Watts Bar Lake is at 9:30 p.m.
• Celebrations continue on Wednesday at the Museum of Appalachia where activities run from 10 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., starting with the opening ceremony and anvil shoot.
A replica of the Liberty Bell is rung precisely at 2 p.m. in conjunction with the National Bell Ringing Ceremony. The Sons of the Revolution will raise the Liberty Pole, commemorating the colonial spirit that protested British rule.
Mountain skills will be demonstrated, ranging from rail-splitting, basket-making, whittling, sheep herding, quilting, spinning, blacksmithing, and more. The old-time circular sawmill will be in operation, and Ruby Patterson will play the role of Betsy Ross sewing our nation’s first flag.
Tasty summertime treats will be available, including grilled hamburgers, hot dogs & homemade ice cream.
The Museum is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., so July 4th visitors will have ample time to tour the extensive village-farm complex.
• The City of Knoxville will celebrate the day beginning at 2:00 p.m. at World's Fair Park. The free festival will kick off with a Patriotic Bike Parade at 2:00 p.m.
The Bike Parade is for ages 3-12, wagons, strollers and wheelchairs are welcome, and all children must be accompanied by an adult. Participants will meet at the World's Fair Park Playground at 1:00 pm, and at 2:00 pm will parade along World's Fair Park Drive to the Amphitheater. There will be a contest for the best decorated rider and best decorated bike for each age group, 3-5, 6-9, 10-12. Please fill out a registration form and return it to the Special Events office.
• Starting at 8 p.m., the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra will begin the 28th Annual Pilot Independence Day Concert on the World’s Fair Park’s Performance Lawn. The two-hour show features the KSO performing a mix of patriotic and Americana pieces. Conducted by KSO Musical Director Lucas Richman, this medley will be the perfect accompaniment to the fireworks spectacular.
Fireworks start at 9:35 p.m.
• Last but not least, in Oak Ridge the July 4th Independence Day Concert performed by the Oak Ridge Community Band.
The free concert starts at 7:30 p.m. in the A.K. Bissell Park and will be followed by the annual city fireworks. Try to get there early with your lawn chairs and blankets to get a good seat on the lawn around the Performing Arts Pavilion.
The July 4 Independence Day concert is special for the Oak Ridge Community Band because it marks the date of the Community Band's very first concert on July 4, 1944.
Send Story to a Friend
Send to Facebook
Share to TwitterSearch:
Gray Television, Inc - Copyright 2002-2012 - Powered by Gray Interactive Media