Fourth of July in Tennessee

 Across the state of Tennessee, cities and towns are pulling out all the stops to observe the Fourth of July. Special celebrations offer family fun and something for everyone.
 Gatlinburg launches the celebrations with the award winning 4th of July Midnight Parade. The nation’s first parade brings nearly 100,000 spectators annually. This year, in honor of Great Smoky Mountains National Park’s 75th Anniversary, as well as our nation’s birthday, Gatlinburg will recreate the September 2, 1940 presidential motorcade of Franklin D. Roosevelt as it traveled through Gatlinburg on its way to Newfound Gap. Actor David Keith will play the role of FDR. For more information, contact (800) 568-4748 or visit www.gatlinburg.com.
 Nashville’s Annual Music City July Fourth Spectacular at Riverfront Park is the city’s largest one-day event. Celebrate the nation’s birthday with over 100,000 spectators for one of the top fireworks displays in the nation. The daylong events begin at noon with the astounding fireworks starting shortly after 9 p.m. For more information, call (800) 657-6910 or visit www.visitmusiccity.com.
 In Memphis, enjoy food, music and fireworks at the Red, White and Blues Celebration at Tom Lee Park. The festival starts at 2 p.m. with the firework show beginning at 9 p.m. For more information, contact Tom Lee Park at (901) 543-5310.
 The city of Oak Ridge will present the 4th Fireworks at the Marina at 10 p.m. Over 24,000 shells are expected to light up the sky for this 4th of July celebration. For more information, visit www.cortn.org.
 To start celebrating early, visit Clarksville which will host their largest ever water pyrotechnics display. Festivities begin at 6 p.m. on July 3 at McGregor Park on the Riverwalk. The city will honor the country’s military with the presentation of the nation’s colors by the Clarksville Fire and Police Honor Guard. For more information, visit www.cityofclarksville.com.
 Celebrate America’s independence in McKenzie with a fun-packed family day at McKenzie’s Freedom Festival July 4. Cool off by making your favorite ice-cream, and enter the third annual Freedom Festival Ice Cream Contest. The parade begins at 6 p.m. with festivities throughout the day, capped-off with a fireworks display. For more information, contact McKenzie Recreational Park, (731) 352-9963.
 For a complete list of events, visit www.press.tnvacation.com. For more information, contact Cindy Dupree at (615) 741-9010, or e-mail at Cindy.Dupree@tn.gov.

Print