City hosts musical prelude to July 4 at World’s Fair Park

Got plans for the July 4 weekend? The City of Knoxville is hosting Celebration of the 4th with free live music at World’s Fair Park, on Friday, July 2, and Saturday, July 3.

This year’s festivities will be two nights featuring live music by local performers. Friday’s event will conclude with a brief fireworks show.

“We were disappointed to have to cancel Festival on the 4th months ago, when many COVID-19 precautions were still in place,” says Kyndra Brewer, Director of the City Office of Special Events. “But we are happy to be able to have a family-friendly, patriotic way to kick off the holiday weekend.”

Families are encouraged to bring chairs, blankets and picnic dinners; please leave alcohol and pets at home. Bottled water will be available on site, but there will not be food or beverage for purchase on site. The park’s restroom facilities will be open, and additional portable toilets will be on site. Free parking will be available in all City-owned garages as well as the nearby 11th Street Garage.

“We look forward to celebrating together at this year’s scaled-down celebration and producing a full Festival on the 4th in 2022,” says Mayor Indya Kincannon. Next year marks the 40th anniversary of the 1982 World’s Fair.

Friday, July 2
World’s Fair Park
Randy Tyree Performance Lawn

Usually, the 572nd Air National Guard Band of the South is booked to perform at a far-flung location during the July 4 holiday, but this year they’ll play for the hometown crowd. Based at McGhee-Tyson Air National Guard Base, the ANG Band of the South is one of 17 Air Force bands in the world. The night will include performances by the Concert band, jazz band Blue Groove and rock band Sound Barrier.

LaFollette-based PyroShows will present a brief fireworks display at 9:30 p.m.

The ideal location for viewing the fireworks is from the Performance Lawn near the stage. There will be no additional viewing screens for this performance.

Saturday, July 3
World’s Fair Park
Tennessee Amphitheater

The Knoxville Symphony Orchestra will perform a free concert in the Tennessee Amphitheater. The performance time and the program will be announced soon.

Published June 1, 2021