An East Tennessee 4th of July: Events & Activities

The Fourth of July—also known as Independence Day or July 4th—has been a federal holiday in the United States since 1941, but the tradition of Independence Day celebrations goes back to the 18th century and the American Revolution. From 1776 to the present day, July 4th has been celebrated as the birth of American independence, with festivities ranging from fireworks, parades and concerts to more casual family gatherings and barbecues.

Here are some Firework Shows, Festivals, Parades, and More that will be happening in the Knox-Area. 

Knoxville:

• Festival on the 4th: The festival begins at 5 p.m. at World’s Fair Park, and various activities will be available such as mini-golf and paddle boats. Knoxville Symphony Orchestra will perform the musical finale at 8 p.m. on the World’s Fair Park performance lawn. The fireworks show starts at 9:35 p.m. and concludes the event.
• Fourth of July on Mabry’s Hill: Games, activities and tours will be available starting at 5 p.m. at the Mabry-Hazen House. Tickets for adults are $15, which includes two drink tickets. Mabry-Hazen House members are discounted for $10. For children between the ages of five and 15, tickets are $5, and children under the age of five receive free admission.
• Celebration of the Declaration of Independence: This event is at the James White’s Fort, begins at 10 a.m. and ends at 11:30 a.m.
• Sunsphere Events for the 4th of July: The 8th floor of the Sunsphere will have food and entertainment. The 6th floor is the “VIP floor” and will feature a singer, a food bar and an ice cream bar. Tickets range from $49 to $150, and the event will run from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
• July 4th Freedom Festival - Ancient Lore Village: Celebrate the 4th of July Weekend with a family fun festival at Ancient Lore Village on Saturday, Sunday and Monday from 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. It’s fun for the whole family with ax-throwing, tours, family games, food, a cash bar and much more. 

Farragut:

• Independence Day Parade: The parade will start at 9:30 a.m. at the Farragut High School junior lot and end at the Farragut Towne Square Shopping Center.
• Farragut Freedom Run: The event runs from 1 to 2 p.m. and will include a one-mile, a two-mile and a sleeping-but-supporting run.

Gatlinburg:

• First Independence Day Parade in the Nation: The parade begins at 12:01 a.m. at the intersection of East Parkway and Baskins Creek Bypass. The parade will feature musical guest HunterGirl Music as the Grand Marshal.
• Gatlinburg’s Fireworks Finale: The 20-minute firework show will begin at 11:00 p.m. in downtown Gatlinburg. The fireworks should be able to view from anywhere in Gatlinburg.

Powell:

• Powell Lions Club 4th of July Parade: Starting at Powell Middle School, the parade will step off at 11:00 a.m. The parade will end at Powell High School’s back parking lot by 11:30 a.m.

Loudon County:

• Greenback July 4th Fireworks: The event starts at 6 p.m. when food trucks and a kid carwash become available. At 6:45 p.m., Miss Chloe’s School of Dance will perform. The Grey Ridge Boogie Daddy’s Band will perform at 7 p.m. The event will conclude with a fireworks show which starts at 9 p.m.

Greenville:

• American Downtown: The 10th annual 4th of July celebration will have live music, a parade, a hot dog eating contest, food trucks, a kids zone and a fireworks show. The event starts from 4:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.

Clinton:

• Independence Day Anvil Shoot Celebration: Museum of Appalachia will use gunpowder to send a 200-pound anvil hundreds of feet into the air. Anvil shoots occur every hour starting at 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The celebration will also include a national bell-ringing ceremony, flag procession, live music and southern food. There will also be demonstrations from blacksmiths, beekeepers, dulcimer makers, spinners, weavers, rail splitters and more. Tickets for adults over 18 are $20. Children between the ages of 13 and 17 will receive admission for $10, and tickets for children under the age of 12 are $6. The museum also offers a Family ticket for $45.

Lenoir City:

• 4th of July Parade: The annual Firecracker Run, a half-mile fun run for children ages 5 to 12, will start the parade at 10 a.m. The first 100 children receive a free t-shirt, but all participating children will receive a participation trophy. The boy and girl who finish first from each division will receive top prizes. The race is free, and those interested can register by calling the Lenoir City Parks and Recreation Department. The parade begins at 11:00 a.m. on C Street.

Morristown:

• July 4th Celebration: Admission is free for this event. The park will open at 5 p.m. with food centers. Entertainment will start their performances at 6:30 p.m. Fireworks start at 9:45 p.m. The fireworks will also be live-streamed.

Norris:

• Norris Day 4th of July Celebration: There will be a Norris Firecracker Road Run, a kids’ Dog Show, a duck race, the 1-Mile Fun Run, Many-Wheel Races, a decorated bicycle parade, a sack race, a water-balloon toss and a water-balloon fight. The fireworks demonstration begins at 9:30 p.m.

Townsend:

• 4th of July festivities: Next to the Highland Manor Inn and Conference Center, festivities such as face painting will begin at 6 p.m. Hot dogs and snow cones are also available at that time. Live music is scheduled to perform at 7:00 p.m. The Townsend Area Volunteer Fire Department will begin the fireworks display at “dark thirty.” Participants are encouraged to bring their own chairs and blankets.

Kingston:

• Smokin the Water Festival and Fireworks Show: The event begins at 4 p.m. with food vendors, kids festivities and a performance by Dirt Floor Doctors at Kingston City Park. At 6 p.m., C.J. Auburn performs and Fairview Union performs at 8 p.m. The fireworks show begins after dark.

Other Celebrations: 

• Pigeon Forge Patriot Fest - July 3rd, 4pm-10:35pm: The night will feature music, food and fun games. Country superstar Josh Turner will be the headliner. Blankets and lawn chairs are welcome. Please leave your umbrellas and coolers at home.
• Lenoir City's Rockin' the Docks - July 2nd, 1pm-10:30pm: Come by land or water! Live music, festival and food vendors kick off at 1:00pm. There is also a children’s play area for kids to enjoy. Food and drink are available for purchase.
• Loudon Independence Day Celebration - July 3rd, 5pm: Enjoy a great firework display while tailgating at Loudon Municipal Park. Several food trucks will be on hand. Gates open at 5:00pm. Gates close for car traffic at 8:00pm and fireworks will begin at 10:00pm. Great viewing in areas surrounding Municipal Park.

This list was compiled from info from wate.com and knoxvillemoms.com