4th of July Events in East Tennessee

On July 4th, people will be celebrating Independence Day all across America. In cities and towns nationwide, here will be parades, fireworks, concerts and more to commemorate the holiday that recognizes our nation's independence and liberty. Whether you plan to spend your day with family, friends, or a date, there are ample opportunities for fun. If you will be spending the holiday weekend in East Tennessee, you will find a wide variety of unique events to fulfill your need for pleasure and patriotism.

The most popular areas of East Tennessee include the clustered small towns of Sevierville, Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, as well as the bustling city of Knoxville. Though all of these areas are appealing to tourists, Knoxville is set apart from the more rural towns that border the Great Smoky Mountains. If the big city is more your style, check out Knoxville's "Festival on the 4th" at World's Fair Park downtown. Running from 2-10 p.m., "Festival on the 4th" offers a wide variety of events for the whole family. Best of all, admission is free! Musical performances from bands, vocalists and the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra take place on multiple stages throughout the day. There will be a range of family activities, including an arts and crafts tent hosted by the Knoxville Museum of Art, and plenty of vendors providing a plethora of appetizing snacks, meals and beverages. The fireworks display kicks off at 9:35 p.m. Pets, coolers and alcohol are prohibited at the festival. Expect heavy traffic, and plan accordingly, with sufficient time and patience! Parking is free at the World's Fair lot as well as the parking garages on 11th Street, Locust Street, State Street and Market Square. For additional information, please call 865-215-4248. To view a detailed map of the downtown area, and festival event/vendor locations, visit http://www.cityofknoxville.org/EVENTS/4th/.

East of Knoxville, as you head toward the Great Smoky Mountains, you will find the tourist playground of Pigeon Forge. Pigeon Forge is home to Dolly Parton's Dollywood theme park, but on July 4th, Patriot Park is bound to be the center of activity as it hosts the 19th annual "Patriot Festival". The festivities commence at 1 p.m., and include an all-day showcase of local and regional talent and armed forces tributes. Prior to the highly acclaimed fireworks display (beginning promptly at 9:45 p.m.), enjoy the musical stylings of the Classic Rock All-Stars - a "supergroup" consisting of rock musicians from the 1960s and 1970s. Family-friendly events, games and a lavish sampling of local cuisine round out this spectacular FREE event. Bring your lawn chairs, blankets, coolers and friends, and plan to arrive early to claim your space on the lawn for a fun-filled day of relaxation and fun. Alcohol is not permitted. Limited parking is available at Patriot Park, and as the day turns to night, many fireworks-seekers will line neighboring streets for the illuminating display. Pigeon Forge also offers extended trolley service for festival guests. For more information, please call 865-429-7350 or visit http://www.mypigeonforge.com.

Continuing your approach to the Smokies, you'll find yourself in the charming little hamlet of Gatlinburg. Here, you'll enjoy the option of starting your 4th of July celebration a day early. For the 34th straight year, Gatlinburg will host the nation's first Independence Day parade, beginning at midnight on the morning of July 4th. Crowds for the popular event typically near 100,000 in attendance, so it is certainly wise to consider spending the evening of the 3rd in Gatlinburg and secure seating early. This year's parade is especially expected to lure large numbers of spectators as organizers recognize the 75th anniversary of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. To that end, the parade will include a reenactment of President Franklin D. Roosevelt's September, 1940 motorcade from Gatlinburg to Newfound Gap (located within the park on the Tennessee, North Carolina border) where he officially dedicated the National Park. The recreated motorcade will lead the parade, consisting of more than 100 floats, marching bands, military troops and helium balloons. But the fun in Gatlinburg doesn't end when the parade concludes! Continue your Independence Day celebration with the River Raft Regatta, beginning at noon on Saturday, the 4th. The Regatta begins on River Road at the bridge near Christus Gardens and ends at the bridge outside of the Ripley's Aquarium. Anyone is welcome to take part in the Regatta, which will include countless floating devices of all shapes, sizes and types. It is an unmanned race and as the City of Gatlinburg states, any floating device is allowed, with the exception of "balls and plastic eggs". Registration begins at 10 a.m. The City of Gatlinburg will host a fireworks display as well, one hour after sundown (approximately 10 p.m.), which will be visible anywhere along the main thoroughfare. For more information, please call 800-568-4748 or visit http://www.gatlinburg.com.

It's always nice to take a drive through the Smokies, and the 4th of July is as good a day as any. If you take the full trek, crossing over to North Carolina, you'll find yourself coming out in the little town of Cherokee, which is actually an Indian Reservation. Cherokee is unique and in the small land space it covers, there are many things to do and experience. If you visit Cherokee over the 4th of July weekend, you will have an opportunity for a truly original experience. July 3-5, Cherokee will hold its annual Powwow at the Cherokee Indian Fairgrounds at 545 Tsali Blvd. Events include traditional dance competitions, drum circles, fireworks and more. Admission to the Powwow is only $10 per day, but visitors can also opt for a "Cultural Value Package". For $48, this package includes 3-day admission to the Powwow, as well as tickets for other top Cherokee attractions such as: the authentic Oconaluftee Indian Village, "Unto These Hills" Outdoor Drama performance, The Museum of the Cherokee Indian and a tour of the Qualla Arts & Crafts Mutual. For more information, please call 800-438-1601 or visit http://www.cherokee-nc.com.