Stars, stripes and skybursts
Clinton, Norris, Oak Ridge and Rocky Top gear up for July 4 celebrations
Norris will again have a fireworks display on July 4 to cap the annual Norris Day events. This was the scene in front of the Norris Post Office during the fireworks display last year on July 4. (photo:G. Chambers Williams III )
Clinton, Norris, Rocky Top and Oak Ridge all have celebrations lined up, and some begin as early as 8:30 a.m., the start of the Firecracker 4K and 1K Fun Runs in Norris, and a collector car show at 9 a.m. in Rocky Top.
For Norris, it’s a particularly special time as the city that owes its existence to the creation of the nearby Norris Dam holds its annual Norris Day celebration.
It’s a daylong series of events that concludes – as most of the cities’ celebrations will – with fireworks displays just after dark.
In Clinton, the July 4 celebration begins at 5 p.m. at Lakefront Park. There will be inflatables for kids, a petting zoo, ax throwing, a game truck and more.
The fireworks will be at 10 p.m. from just across the Clinch River from Lakefront Park.
Oak Ridge will host a free concert at 7:30 p.m. at A.K. Bissell Park, followed by fireworks around 9:45 p.m.
Rocky Top events will include a celebration beginning at 5 p.m. at the city park.
Other Rocky Top events will include a celebration beginning at 5 p.m. at the city park, preceded by a children’s bicycle parade beginning at 4:45 p.m. from the parking lot of Truist Bank on South Main Street, with fireworks at 10 p.m.
The collector car show will run from 9 to 11:30 a.m. at the George Templin Memorial Ballfield.
As part of Norris Day, there will be a free evening 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.
Norris Day begins with the Firecracker 4K and 1K Fun Run at 8:30 a.m. in the Commons.
Other 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.; and 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 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 57th annual Norris Day celebration.
