Tennesseans will begin celebrating Independence Day as early as Friday night, according to a state travel guide.
The Chattanooga Lookouts, a minor league baseball team, will have a fireworks show after the team’s Friday and Sunday night games.
Chattanooga will celebrate July 4th with its annual Fun on the Fourth event at Miller Part, which boasts “[c]arnival games, a 50ft gondola Ferris wheel, vintage vendors and cars, food trucks, cocktails and local beer, live music all day and so much more lead up to the laser light show grand finale at 9:30 p.m.”
Independence Day celebrations in the small town of Elizabethton will be held Saturday at Covered Bridge Park.
“Participate in the Independence Day Patriotic Pedal; decorate your bike to compete for trophies,” the travel guide says. “Then, enjoy live performances, patriotic pup pageant, dance team recitals, free inflatables for the kids to enjoy and more.”
Jonesborough, Tennessee’s oldest town, will celebrate America’s independence this weekend.
“Be there for the parade July 1 at 10 a.m. that starts activities, live music, a market full of local crafts, contests including the annual MoonPie eating contest and more,” the travel guide says. “New this year includes children’s activities at Patriot Park including carnival games and prizes, bouncy houses, dunking machine and inflatables. Fireworks starting at 10 p.m. July 2 wrap up the celebration.”
In Memphis, residents and visitors can celebrate Independence Day at Elvis Presley’s Graceland mansion for an “All-American Elvis-inspired fireworks extravaganza,” from Saturday to Sunday.
“Celebrate our nation’s independence with rock n’ roll, barbecue, Elvis and fireworks. Enjoy the Victor Trevino Jr. and Pat Dunn: Elvis Tribute Concert 7:30 p.m. at Graceland Soundstage,” the travel guide says. “July 2 kicks off with the Great American Gospel Brunch featuring the Blackwood Brothers Quartet, “Viva Las Vegas” sing-along screening and the All-American Party & Elvis Fireworks Extravaganza.”
Of course, there will be celebrations in other large metropolitan areas next Tuesday, July 4.
Nashville boasts one of the largest Independence Day celebrations in the nation.
From the travel guide:
Nashville has the largest fireworks show in the country, synchronized to a live performance by the Grammy-winning Nashville Symphony. Leading up to the fireworks, catch live music by headliner Brad Paisley along with Ben Rector, The War And Treaty, Langhorne Slim, Tiera Kennedy and more. The free event also includes the Amazon Family Fun Zone with its own stage of live music, football toss and other fun games, Gibson Gives instrument petting zoo and more.
– – –
Pete D’Abrosca is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network. Follow Pete on Twitter.
Photo “4th of July” by Stephanie McCabe.
