Celebrating Independence
Fireworks, fun run, family festivities set for July 4
Liza Jane Alexander checks out the Keep Anderson County Beautiful booth at the Norris Day event in the downtown area on July 4, 2023. Staffing the booth is Norris Mayor Chris Mitchell, and standing behind him is Phyllis Corgiat. (photo:G. Chambers Williams III )
Among them, the annual Norris Day celebration on Thursday, July 4, will again allow city residents and visitors to observe the holiday and participate in a long list of fun events capped off by fireworks at 9:30 p.m.
Similar events are planned elsewhere in the county.
In Clinton, the celebration will begin at 5 p.m. at Lakefront Park. It will be followed by fireworks at 10 p.m., which will be launched from the dog park area across the Clinch River from downtown.
In Rocky Top, there will be a celebration beginning at 5 p.m. at the city park, preceded by a children’s parade beginning at 4:45 p.m., and ending with fireworks at 10 p.m.
Earlier in the day in Rocky Top, there will be a collector and antique car show from 9 to 11:30 a.m. at the George Templin Memorial Ballfield.
As part of Norris Day, there will be a free concert by 110 in the Shade, a six-member group performing electric, funk, soul, Motown, and R&B numbers, from 7-9 p.m. on the outdoor stage next to the Lions Club Pavilion downtown.
Norris Day begins with the Firecracker 4K and 1K Fun Run at 8:30 a.m. in the town’s Commons area.
Other Norris Day events will include:
• Posting of the Colors, 9 a.m.
• Norris Library Chalk Walk, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
• Kids’ Dog Show, 9:10 a.m.
• Duck races, 9:45 a.m.
• Decorated bicycle parade, 10:30 a.m.
• Many-wheeled races, 11:15 a.m.
• Sack races, 11:45 a.m.
• Water balloon toss, 12:15 p.m.
• Water balloon battles, 3 p.m.
There will be an evening program at the Lions Club Pavilion behind the post office beginning at 5:30 p.m.
The concert at 7 p.m. will be the last of the “Concerts on the Commons” this year.
There is no admission charge to any of these events, but concert attendees are requested to bring their own chairs or blankets to sit on in the grassy area in front of the stage, next to the pavilion.
Food will also be available from food trucks throughout the day, and there will be inflatables set up for the kids from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., as well as a water slide from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The concert will be followed by a 20-minute fireworks display.
This will be the 56th annual Norris Day celebration.