Fireworks, festivals fill July 4 weekend
Numerous activities are planned beginning Friday (July 3) and continuing through Saturday throughout Anderson County for this year’s Independence Day celebration, which also commemorates America’s 250th birthday.
After cutting a ribbon Friday morning to re-open Market Street, Historic Downtown Clinton is having a free concert to kick off the weekend’s activities.
Clinton, Norris, Rocky Top and Oak Ridge have other celebrations planned, and each of them will be capped off by a fireworks show.
The Museum of Appalachia in Norris this year will expand its Independence Day activities to two days, Friday and Saturday, which include the annual “old-fashioned anvil shoots.”
CLINTON: The city of Clinton is celebrating not just the 250th anniversary but also the reopening of downtown streets after more than 16 months of renovations to the historic district.
The July 3 concert will take place in that historic downtown area from 4:30 until 9:30 p.m. People are urged to “bring a lawn chair and enjoy the music.”
“With One Tree Hill stars Tyler Hilton and Kate Voegele headlining this 250th America celebration you won’t want to be anywhere else as they bring the same energy to Clinton, TN that they have taken on their worldwide tour,” Historic Downtown Clinton said on Facebook.
“Local sensation WestWend and international touring country sweetheart Erica Sunshine Lee Music will also be on hand for a fun night in downtown! Don’t miss it!”
On July 4, a festival and fireworks will take place at Lakefront Park. Events begin at 5 p.m., and include wrestling shows and fireworks, which will be set off beginning at 9:45 p.m.
Activities will include Backyard Bouncers, Little Ponderosa Petting Zoo, East Tennessee Championship Wrestling, Til Ragnarok Axe Throw and Hamock Sound.
Food trucks at the event will include Big Butts BBQ, Bailey’s Beverage Cart, Del Mar’s Pup Hut, Jimmy’s on Wheels, Kona Ice, Melinda Lundsford’s Funnel Cakes, Sticks and Scoops, Sugar Belle cotton candy, and Underground pizza and pasta.
ROCKY TOP: July 4 activities will kick off with a collector car show from 9 to 11 a.m. at the George Templin Memorial Ballfield.
There will be a children’s bicycle parade beginning at 4:45 p.m. from the parking lot of Truist Bank on South Main Street, followed by a celebration beginning at 5 p.m. at the city park that will include multiple food and drink options, a dunking booth, a petting zoo, bounce houses, ax throwing, and more.
Rocky Top’s celebration concludes with fireworks at 10 p.m.
OAK RIDGE: The city of Oak Ridge is celebrating the 250th Anniversary of American Independence this year at its annual Independence Day Concert and Fireworks show in A.K. Bissell Park on July 4.
Fireworks are scheduled to begin at dark, around 9:45 p.m.
The Oak Ridge Community Band will perform prior to the fireworks. The concert is free, but the band accepts donations to help cover the cost of equipment and other expenses. The music is expected to begin at 7:30 p.m.
Anyone planning to attend is advised to bring a lawn chair or blanket for outdoor seating.
To listen to music that is coordinated with the fireworks, attendees are encouraged to tune into Merle FM 96.7.
