America is turning 243, and we’ve got the party schedule laid out for you!
Dolly’s Night of Many Colors
June 22-August 4
Dollywood
Free with day’s admission.
Synchronized to music each evening.
Guests can enjoy the best viewing areas near:
Timber Canyon/Wilderness Pass
Country Fair in front of Grandstand Cafe
Adventures in Imagination between Dolly’s Closet and Dreamsong Theatre
The Front Gate in front of the Southern Gospel Music Association Hall of Fame
The City of Alcoa Presents: FreedomFest
June 29th, 6-11pm (fireworks begin at 9:45pm)
City of Alcoa Duck Pond
Free
Live music and children’s activities kick off at 6pm. Food is available for purchase.
Lenoir City’s Rockin’ the Docks
June 29th, 1pm-10:30pm
Lenoir City Park
Free
Come by land or water! Live music, festival and food vendors kick off at 1pm. There is also a children’s play area for kids to enjoy. Food and drink are available for purchase.
First Independence Day Parade in the Nation, Gatlinburg
July 4, 12:01am
Parkway, downtown Gatlinburg
Free
Gatlinburg hosts their 44th annual First Parade of Independence Day at midnight (be sure to arrive early for a good spot as the Parkway is blocked off before the start of the parade).
Farragut’s Annual Independence Day Parade
July 4, at 9:30am-12:30pm
Free
The Parade will begin 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).
Museum of Appalachia Independence Day Celebration & Anvil Shoot, Clinton
July 4, from 9am-3pm
Museum of Appalachia
Free with day’s admission.
Spend Independence Day celebrating the old-fashioned way. The Museum opens for visitors at 9am and the Anvil shooting is at 10am, 11am, 12pm, 1pm and 3pm. Event includes a bell-ringing ceremony, flag procession, old-fashioned games, music, and demonstrations from beekeepers, blacksmiths, and patriotic re-enactors.
Celebration of the Declaration of Independence at James White’s Fort
July 4, from 10am-11am
James White’s Fort
Free, donations accepted
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.
River Raft Regatta, Gatlinburg
July 4, at 10am to enter, 12pm to watch
Downtown Gatlinburg
Free
Per the event’s page:
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.
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.
Pigeon Forge Patriot Fest
July 4, from 2pm-10pm (fireworks begins at 9:45pm)
Patriot Park
Free admission
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.
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.
Festival on the 4th, Knoxville
July 4, from 4pm-10pm (fireworks begin at 9:35pm)
World’s Fair Park
Free
Spend your 4th in a kid-friendly atmosphere with tons to do including kids’ area, live music, and good eats (available for purchase). The night will end with a fireworks finale.
Townsend Fireworks
July 4, at 9:45pm
Adjacent to Highland Manor Inn
Free
Gatlinburg’s Fireworks Finale
July 4, at 10pm
The final leg of Gatlinburg’s 4th festivities is a 20-minute firework display, best viewed from spots around stoplights #3 and #5 on the Parkway.
