A fair Fourth in the forecast for Chattanooga

By Kendi A. Rainwater

Thursday, July 3, 2014

photo As area residents get an early start on the Independence Day weekend, Jeff Elam, of Fort Oglethorpe, launches his boat Thursday at Chester Frost Park for a ride with his sons, Jacob Elam, right, and Jeffrey Elam, Jr., sitting behind his dad.

Where to watch fireworks on the 4thCleveland, Bradley Square Mall: At darkDalton, Heritage Park: 9:30 p.m.Decatur, Town Square: 9:30 p.m.Dunlap, Main Street: 9 p.m. CDTLake Winnepesaukah Amusement Park: 10 p.m.Monteagle Ballpark: At darkSoddy-Daisy, North Park by the lake: 10 p.m. Local vendors will be presentSignal Mountain Golf and Country Club: At darkSouth Pittsburg, Riverpark: 9 p.m. CDT

Fourth of July celebrations are predicted to take place amidst pleasant weather conditions in Chattanooga this weekend.

WRCB-TV 3 predicts that Independence Day festivities will occur under sunny skies and low humidity, with a high in the middle 80s predicted. Fireworks in the evening will fall under a clear sky, with temperatures dropping into the lower 60s.

The weather for the remainder of the weekend will continue to be sunny, according to WRCB, but the highs will return to more-normal temperatures for early July, in the upper 80s and 90s.

"It will be the perfect weekend to celebrate outside with a walk or bike ride," said Mike Dunne, Hamilton County's external communications manager.

Dunne said that he is proud of Chattanooga for being a city so accommodating to outdoor activities with its numerous parks and the Riverwalk downtown.

The prospect of a long weekend in good weather has people flocking to the outdoors. The county's Chester Frost Park campground is completely full this holiday weekend, with only a few sites remaining in the overflow area of the park, Dunne said.

Firework displays are planned to take place at numerous locations around the region.

Cleveland, Tenn., is hosting a fireworks extravaganza at Bradley Square Mall. The fireworks display will be choreographed to patriotic music played by DJ Ed Ramsey on 104.1 FM. The fireworks are set to begin around 9:15 p.m.

Dunlap, Tenn., is holding its annual Fourth of July parade. The parade begins at 9 a.m. CDT at the Sequatchie County Fairgrounds and will proceed down Rankin Avenue, ending at the courthouse.

The fireworks display will be set off on Main Street at 9 p.m.

For more information on weekend activities, check out www.chattanooganow.com.

Contact staff writer Kendi Anderson at kendi.anderson@timesfreepress.com or at 423-757-6592.