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Anvils to fly again this July Fourth

by G. Chambers Williams III


A 200-pound anvil is shot into the air by an explosive charge at the Museum of Appalachia during a previous Independence Day ceremony at the pionee-cul- ture attraction in Norris. - G. Chambers Williams III
The Museum of Appalachia once again will observe Independence Day with a variety of activities, including a fan favorite – the annual “old-fashioned anvil shoot.”

It’s the museum’s equivalent of a fireworks display, using gunpower to make big bangs and fire a 200-pound blacksmith’s anvil hundreds of feet into the air, all with a big crowd looking on from a safe distance.

Anvil shoots will be held at the top of every hour from 10 a.m. through 3 p.m., to highlight the July 4 activities at the pioneer museum in Norris.

“Anvil shoots were once a common way for pioneers to commemorate holidays, elections and other special occasions,” the museum says on its website.

Among other activities will be a bell-ringing ceremony, a flag procession march, live music and Southern comfort food.

There will be demonstrations of Appalachian and pioneer-type activities by blacksmiths, beekeepers, dulcimer makers, spinners, weavers, rail splitters and more, the museum says.

Independence Day events run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and tickets are available online at museumofappalachia.com.

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Antique tractors, engines, classic cars return to ACHS Friday and Saturday

by G. Chambers Williams III


Antique tractors are lined up on display during last year’s Smoky Mountain Antique Tractor and Engine Show at Anderson County High School. The show is on again this Friday and Saturday in the same location. - G. Chambers Williams III
Antique farm tractors, engines, classic cars and even some semi-trucks will be on display in front of Anderson County High School this Friday and Saturday during the 43nd-annual Smoky Mountain Antique Engine and Tractor Show.

The tractors will be the highlight of the event, which will run from 8 a.m. until dusk on Friday (June 6) and from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. on Saturday.

They will include various vintages from manufacturers such as Case, Allis-Chalmers, John Deere, Farmall, Ford and Oliver.

Admission and parking for the event are free.

Held the second weekend in June, the show is the biggest event of the year for the Clinton-based Smoky Mountain Antique Engine and Tractor Association.

In last year’s show, there were 83 vintage tractors on display, along with the old engines, classic cars and semi-trucks.

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Free July 4 concert, fireworks planned at Bissell Park

The Oak Ridge Community Band will present its 81st Independence Day concert at 7:30 p.m. Friday, July 4, at A.K. Bissell Park, 1403 Oak Ridge Turnpike.

The event will be followed by the city of Oak Ridge’s fireworks show.

Admission is free, and refreshments will be available.

The public is encouraged to arrive early for the best seating and to bring lawn chairs or blankets. A paved area will be available for wheelchairs.

The concert will include patriotic selections such as “America the Beautiful,” “The Star-Spangled Banner,” “Semper Fidelis,” “American Spectacular,” “God Bless the USA,” “Let Freedom Ring,” and “The Stars and Stripes Forever.”

For more information, visit the Oak Ridge Community Band’s website at orcb.org or its Facebook page at facebook.com/OakRidgeCommunityBand.

Pickleball tournament a ‘Big Dill’

Anderson County Chamber fundraiser draws crowd to Lakefront Park

by Ken Lay and G. Chambers Williams III


Bobby Crawford with team Tribe Dinkers serves the ball during a top-eight game. The chamber’s pickleball tournament was held on Saturday, May 31 at Lakefront Park. - Brooklynn Bradley
Pickleball, the latest craze in the recreational-sports realm, brought players and spectators alike to Clinton’s Lakefront Park last Saturday for the first Big Dill Pickleball Tournament.

Sponsored by the Anderson County Chamber of Commerce, the tournament included doubles and mixed doubles teams in both intermediate and advanced divisions in a double-elimination format.

The tournament served as a fundraiser, with proceeds benefitting the chamber’s programs and new building. Approximately $5,000 was raised.

“This was our first one, and we’re going to make this an annual event,” said Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Rick Meredith.

“It was great. Everything went smoothly, the sportsmanship was there, everybody was on time, and the weather cooperated with us.”

That wasn’t the case Friday night.

“The night before, we had the monsoon,” Meredith said. “We had to come back and re-line and re-tape the court.”

Meredith organized the tournament with help from Brice Kidwell and Josh Queener, who are involved in another pickleball event each summer at Lakefront Park.

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