1. Festival on the 4th

The City of Knoxville hosts the community-wide Festival on the Fourth celebration at World’s Fair Park on Thursday, July 4, 4-10 p.m. Everyone is invited to enjoy free activities, live music and the City’s largest fireworks display.

This year’s festival also marks the debut of the park’s improved Performance Lawn. The $2.5 million project updated water and electric service, improved drainage, and added new sod, pervious paver hardscaping and an enlarged entry area and gates.

“We’re excited to host this family-friendly holiday event,” says City Special Events Director Judith Foltz. “The new lawn is a wonderful addition for both the Festival on the Fourth as well as future events in World’s Fair Park.”

Festival on the Fourth features a variety of entertainment, activities and food vendors on the Performance Lawn, Festival Lawn and inside the Tennessee Amphitheater.

Live family entertainment on the Home Federal Bank Family Fun Stage at the Tennessee Amphitheater includes:

4:15 - 4:45 p.m.: K-Pop Dancers
5 - 5:45 p.m.: Dre Hilton
6 - 7 p.m.: The Amazing Magic Show with Tim Pressley

Activities in the Regal Kids Zone on the Festival Lawn include mini-golf, a water balloon game, Legos by Bricks 4 Kids, a climbing wall and a Eurobungy trampoline. Families can also enjoy face painting and a photo booth.

On the park’s Festival Lawn Stage, Bary Jolly performs Jimmy Buffet’s songs from 4:15 - 5:30 p.m., followed by classic rock covers by the Bicho Brothers from 6 - 7:30 p.m.

Music on the Performance Lawn Stage begins at 5 p.m. with a performance by the Stoney Point Bluegrass Band.

At 8 p.m., the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra’s 35th annual Free Pilot Flying J Independence Day Concert featuring KSO Music Director Aram Demirjian begins its performance. Patriotic favorites from Aaron Copland, John Philip Sousa and John Williams will be performed.

The program will showcase tributes to the 75th anniversary of D-Day with selections from "Saving Private Ryan" and the 50th anniversary of the 1969 moon landing with selections from the score of “Apollo 13.”

The City’s largest annual fireworks display begins at 9:35 p.m. The Symphony’s performance and fireworks display will be broadcast live on WBIR-TV Channel 10 and WBIR.com from 8-10 p.m.

Free parking is available in the 11th Street, Locust Street, Walnut Street, State Street and Market Square garages, as well as the City’s Blackstock lots on Grand Avenue. ADA parking is available at the Fort Kid parking lot on World’s Fair Park Drive.

Guests are invited to bring chairs and blankets, but no coolers, alcohol, pop-up tents, canopies or pets will be allowed. In addition, scooter vendors will activate geofencing around the fair site to prohibit scooters from entering.

Be advised of the following festival-related road closures:

• World’s Fair Park Drive between Clinch and Grand avenues will be closed 2-11 p.m. Thursday;

• Clinch Avenue between Henley and 11th streets will be closed 2-11 p.m. Thursday; and

• Henley Bridge between Hill and Blount avenues will be closed 4-11 p.m. Thursday.

This annual event happens rain or shine. Visit KnoxvilleTN.gov/4th for additional information.

Other holiday closures

City offices, Parks and Recreation centers and indoor pools will be closed Thursday, July 4. Outdoor pools will be open 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. and resume normal schedules on July 5. Cecil Webb Recreation Center will be closed Friday. West Haven Recreation Center will be closed the full week, July 1-7.

Residential garbage and recycling pick-ups will continue as scheduled; Thanksgiving and Christmas are the only days of the year when residential curbside trash and recycling are not picked up as scheduled.

City recycling centers will be open July 4, however, Goodwill attendants will not be on site to accept household goods donations.

The City's Solid Waste Management Facility at 1033 Elm Street will be closed July 4. Free Day for city residents will be held on its normally scheduled day of Saturday, July 6.

Knoxville Area Transit will suspend bus and trolley service on July 4, and the Customer Service Counter will be closed. Regularly scheduled services resume July 5.


2. Gatlinburg First Independence Day Parade

A float in Gatlinburg's 4th of July Parade

One of the best places to celebrate Independence Day is just a short drive away! Gatlinburg will host an entire day of patriotic celebrations. The first Independence Parade in the Nation kicks off at 12:01 a.m. on July 4th. The parade will celebrate firefighters, first responders, and law enforcement, and will feature community floats, balloons, and exotic cars. At noon on the 4th, the city will host the River Raft Regatta floatables race. To wrap up the festivities, a fireworks show will ignite the sky at 10:00 p.m.


3. Fourth of July on Mabry’s Hill

Mabry-Hazen House is hosting an old-fashioned Fourth of July celebration on Thursday, July 4th, 2018 from 5:30pm-10pm. Gather with friends, family, and museum staff to celebrate Independence Day, the Declaration of Independence, and community. Enjoy great views, good food and beer, live music, and tours of the 1858 house in a fun, casual atmosphere. Last year nearly 250 people attended our Fourth of July celebration and we expect the same attendance this year.

A view of Knoxville's Festival on the Fourth fireworks from atop Mabry's Hill; image courtesy of John Becker Photography

Overlooking downtown Knoxville to the west and the Great Smoky Mountains to south, historic Mabry's Hill enjoys a spectacular view of the City of Knoxville's Festival on the Fourth fireworks. Launched from Henley Street Bridge, the western side of Mabry's Hill offers an unparalleled seat to the city’s firework show. “When you see the view here,” says Executive Director, Patrick Hollis, “you understand what drew Mabrys, Civil War armies, the Hazens, and present-day Knoxvillians to this place. At 230 feet above the river, Mabry’s Hill offers an incomparable 360-degree panorama of the city.”

Bring your lawn chairs and blankets and spread out on over 7 acres of greenspace near downtown and right off I-40. Take in the surrounding natural beauty and history while savoring food from Knox Wurst food truck and beer from a local brewery. Tickets include two adult beverages. Food will be available for purchase from Knox Wurst. Lemonade, and water will also be served.

There will also be several activities for kids and the young at heart including sack races, seed spitting contests, three-legged races, bocce, croquet, corn hole, cake walk and much more. Tours of the historic home will begin at 6pm and fireworks start at 9:35pm. Avoid the downtown traffic and take it easy with this laid-back celebration. It is the perfect time to come chill on Mabry’s hill!

The event will occur rain or shine. Tickets and more information is available at www.mabryhazen.com/fourth-of-july.

The Mabry-Hazen House Museum, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is located atop Mabry’s Hill in Knoxville, Tennessee. Built in 1858, three generations of the same family resided in the Italianate-style home overlooking downtown Knoxville, Tennessee River, and Great Smoky Mountains. The museum showcases one of the largest original family collection in America with over 2,000 original artifacts on display. Furnished and decorated in the style of several decades, Mabry-Hazen gives a rare view into 130 years of Knoxville history. Learn about the origins of Knoxville’s iconic Market Square, the bitter divisions of the Civil War, the infamous 1882 Gunfight on Gay Street, a mountain city in the New South, the scandalous 1934 breach of promise and seduction trial, and much more through the rich, colorful lives of the Mabry and Hazen families.


4. Light Up The Night Fireworks Spectacular

Sea Ray continues its 60th anniversary with a hometown celebration and raft-up

Sea Ray is the presenting sponsor of the annual Light Up the Night Fireworks Spectacular hosted by Sequoyah Marina and Resort in Vonore. This annual event will feature live music from the Temper Evans Band, a live remote broadcast by B97.5, a wide variety of food & beverage selections, plus a water raft-up, local charity fund-raiser, and a stunning fireworks nightcap to kick off the holiday.

Sequoyah Marine and Resort

All local residents and guests are invited to attend. Patrons that make a donation will receive a free t-shirt (while supplies last). Donations from this event benefit the Monroe County CASA Organization that works with abused and neglected children in Monroe County.

“In 2018, CASA Monroe supported more than 175 children and families. We are so grateful to Sea Ray and the Lakehouse Grill for sponsoring this fun event for our community” said Alisa Hobbs, CASA Monroe executive director.

Attendees are invited to join by land or by water – if arriving by water, join the Sea Ray raft-up by simply looking for the Sea Ray flags. Job seekers can also explore current openings with Sea Ray. “Vonore has been home to Sea Ray’s Tellico plant for more than 35 years. This is a free, fun event for the whole family, and we’re proud to make this hometown event a huge success,” said Steve Langlais, Sea Ray president.

July 3rd Schedule:
3:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Live Remote Broadcast with B97.5, official radio host of the event
(tune boat radios to B97.5 during the fireworks for musical accompaniment)

4:00 pm – 6:30 pm:
Join the Sea Ray Team – Explore Job Openings and Apply Onsite, or online at www.brunswick-careers.com

4:00 pm – 10:00 pm:
Raft-up with Sea Ray, if you’re a Sea Ray owner and coming by boat, look for the Sea Ray flags and raft-up with other Sea Ray owners.

4:30 pm – 6:30 pm:
Sea Ray Owners Meet & Greet at the Lake House Grill.

7:00 pm – 11:00 pm:
Live music from the Temper Evans Band

Dark:
Fireworks Spectacular accompanied by music from B97.5

ABOUT SEA RAY Headquartered in Knoxville, Tenn., Sea Ray is the world’s leading creator of superior quality pleasure boats. For 60 years, Sea Ray has pushed the limits of performance and craftsmanship to elevate the boating experience. Each Sea Ray is designed to make every moment exceptional, supporting boaters’ unique lifestyles with a customized balance of unparalleled comfort and performance and world-class technology throughout. Learn more about the Sea Ray Experience at SeaRay.com.


5. Museum of Appalachia celebrates July 4th with anvil shoots, a time-honored tradition

While most Americans celebrate Independence Day with fireworks, the Museum of Appalachia in Norris, Tenn. marks the occasion with an old- fashioned “anvil shoot”. Every 4th of July, the Museum uses gunpowder to launch a 200-pound anvil hundreds of feet into the air!

“When the gunpowder ignites and the anvil soars into the air, the earth will literally shake,” says Museum President, Elaine Meyer. “Even though you know what is about to happen, you can’t help but be in awe of the staggering blast of the anvil.”

Anvil shoots were once a common way for pioneers to commemorate holidays, elections, and other special occasions. While the tradition of anvil-shooting is nearly obsolete, the Museum has made it a nearly 30-year tradition, striving to keep this piece of history alive for a 21st century audience.

Anvil shoots are scheduled for 10:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m., 1:00 p.m., and 3:00 p.m.

The anvil shoot is the centerpiece of an all-day celebration that includes a national bell-ringing ceremony, flag procession, old time music, picnic fare, demonstrations including blacksmithing, weaving, spinning, cedar rail splitting, sawmilling, dulcimer instruction, beekeeping, sassafras tea brewing, vegetable drying, vintage baseball and more.

The Museum is open from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., with special Independence Day activities from 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.

Purchase discounted tickets online now. The event is free for Museum members. For more information about the Independence Day Anvil Shoot or becoming a Museum member, visit www.museumofappalachia.org or call 865-494-7680.


6. O’Charley’s Fourth of July Deals

July 4 means fireworks, great food and fun times with friends and family, and O'Charley's is making the food part even easier with two deals available July 4-7, 2019:

O’Charley’s Famous Chicken Tenders Family Dinner – 20 tenders, eight sides and three dipping sauces for only $25 Baby Back Ribs Picnic Pack – Four portions of tender ribs (BBQ or Nashville Hot), four sides and one whole pie for $40

O’Charley’s—known for its FREE Pie Wednesday - has also brought back its tender, flaky double-crust Peach Pie filled with sun-ripened freestone peaches for a limited time this summer. Guests can take a whole pie home to share (or not, we won’t judge) for $14.99. Apple pies are also available. (After all, what’s more American than apple pie?)


7. Main Event Entertainment

Main Event Entertainment wants guests to make memories together this Independence Day weekend! The ultimate entertainment destination is offering its Summer FUNpass from Thursday, July 4 to Sunday, July 7. Round up your family and friends and challenge them to all-you-can-play activities – like bowling, billiards, laser tag and much more – starting at $14.95 per guest.


8. Farragut’s Annual Independence Day Parade

The Parade will begin at 9:30 a.m. 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).


9. Lenoir City 4th of July Parade

The parade will kick off the annual Firecracker Run. This is a half-mile fun run for children ages 5-12. The run is free and the first 100 children receive a free event t-shirt. Every runner receives a participation award. Top prizes will be given to the first place boy and girl from each division. Participants for the parade or race can register by calling the Lenoir City Parks and Recreation Department at 865-986-1223.

Broadway – “C” Street to South Grand Street
Thursday, July 4, 2019
Line-up at 10:00am at Yale Commercial Locks
Parade/Race at 11:00am – “C” Street


10. Celebration of the Declaration of Independence at James White’s Fort

James White Fort; image by Jeaneane Payne

The event will take place at James White Fort in downtown Knoxville from 10am-11am. This annual observance of Independence Day is in cooperation with Sons of the Revolution, The Daughters of the American Revolution, and the Children of the Revolution. Activities include a flag ceremony, reading of the Signers of the Declaration and a short speech.


11. River Raft Regatta, Gatlinburg

Gatlinburg’s most-nail biting race of the summer returns! Set against the backdrop of Gatlinburg’s fun-filled Fourth of July celebration, comes the ever-competitive River Raft Regatta, an annual race of unmanned floatables down the Little Pigeon River.

River Raft Regatta; image courtesy of the Gatlinburg Chamber

All contestants will begin the day at the race’s starting line at the Christ in the Smokies bridge, beginning from 10am to register their floatable. The race kicks-off at noon and ends after all floatables have crossed the finish line at Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies.

New this year: event goers can opt to enter a rented rubber duck into the competition (or bring your own at no cost) for $2 or three for $5. All proceeds go to the Gatlinburg Chamber Foundation; this is a great way to for everyone to participate in this fun, thrilling event. This year’s River Raft Regatta is made possible through the coordination of the City of Gatlinburg Special Events Office and the Gatlinburg Recreation Department and will issue trophies to those who finish 1st, 2nd and 3rd in the Treasure, Duck and Most Creative Float categories.

Begins at 10am to enter, 12pm to watch.


12. Pigeon Forge Patriot Fest

The event takes place at Patriot Park from 2pm-10pm (fireworks begins at 9:45pm) A day and night of live music, food, and fun games in celebration of our nation’s birthday! The headliner for this year’s event is Marty Stuart and His Fabulous Superlatives.

Fireworks show; image courtesy of CabinsUSA.com

All activities are free and open to the public, and are sure to be enjoyed by the entire family. Food will be available for purchase. Bring a seat and stay a while. Blankets and lawn chairs are welcome! Umbrellas and coolers are not permitted.


13. Townsend Fireworks

An excellent fireworks display at 9:45 pm. There will also be live music and food vendors. Enjoy the crisp mountain air as you celebrate the 4th of July in the Smokies. Adjacent to Highland Manor Inn, 7766 E. Lamar Alexander Parkway. Bring your lawn chairs.



14. Abingdon celebrates Independence Day

ABINGDON, VA — On Thursday July 4, 2019, downtown Abingdon will be alive with an All-American Independence Day Extravaganza. This free event takes place at the Abingdon Market Pavilion and along Remsburg Drive in downtown Abingdon. Free activities include a watermelon eating contest, a kids’ craft area, historical reenactors, block party with a foam pit, stilt walkers, antique tractors, concert, and firework finale. Food trucks will be present to provide concessions.

Fireworks show; image courtesy of Johnson City Press

A free concert starts at 7:00pm, featuring the blues and southern soul of Carolyn Wonderland. A musical force equipped with the soulful vocals of Janis and the guitar slinging skills of Stevie Ray, Carolyn Wonderland reaches into the depths of the Texas blues tradition with the wit of a poet. She hits the stage with unmatched presence, a true legend in her time.

At 4:00 p.m. the festivities begin with a watermelon eating contest for those ages 5 to 18. Just like any good watermelon eating competition, no hands or other unique equipment are allowed. Contestants should arrive at 3:30pm to sign up, accompanied by their parent or guardian.

Come to the Kids’ Craft area from 4:30 to 7:00 p.m, where kids of all ages can participate in creative craft projects for free. Activities at the craft area include rotating art projects every hour.

Other draws for families include an antique car show, historical reenactors celebrating Abingdon’s rich Revolutionary War history, and a block party and foam pit. The entire extravaganza will end in true American style with a firework finale at 9:15.

All activities will take place on Remsburg Drive in downtown Abingdon, either at the Fields Penn Lawn, the Abingdon Market Pavilion or along Remsburg Drive. Public parking is available in the Municipal Lot on Main Street, or on the street as available.

For a full schedule of events and activities, visit www.abingdonmusicexperience.com.