If you go
› What: Hats Off to America› Where: Harris Park, Dunlap, Tenn.› When: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. CDT, Tuesday, July 4› Admission: Free› For more information: 423-949-2115
Country singer Sammy Kershaw's 26-year career in music includes 15 albums, 25 singles in the Top 40 and No. 1 single, "She Don't Know She's Beautiful."Flags, floats, food and a country music singer will all be part of Dunlap, Tenn.'s annual Fourth of July celebration, "Hats Off to America."
Fun on the Fourth in Dunlap traditionally starts with a parade through town sponsored by the Sequatchie County Rescue Squad.
"This is the 50th year the Rescue Squad has been in charge of the parade. I've been in it 44 years," says Cecil Nunley, Rescue Squad captain and parade organizer.
The parade will line up at the county fairgrounds on Heard Street before stepping off at 9 a.m. CDT. It will travel down Rankin Avenue to Cherry Street before ending at the Sequatchie County Courthouse.
Nunley says there are so many parade units it takes anywhere from 90 minutes to two hours for all of them to reach the courthouse. At the courthouse, there will be a prayer and flag-raising before music starts in Harris Park.
About a dozen vendors will set up in the park with food and children's activities. The Rescue Squad mans a concession stand selling hamburgers, hot dogs, nachos, barbecue and drinks. Several churches sell festival foods such as homemade lemonade, funnel cakes and homemade ice cream.
Each organization keeps the proceeds of its sales that day. Nunley says he avoids duplicates in food sales in order for each group to gross the highest amount possible.
The city of Dunlap will present live music at City Stage in the park until 9 p.m. Bring a lawn chair and set up for the day.
The schedule
* 10 a.m.-noon Carolina Calling
* 12:20-1:30 pm. Jill's Kids
* 1:50-2:50 p.m. Taylor Reed & Hughes Band
* 3:10-4:10 p.m. Stallion Band
* 4:30-5:30 p.m. Shawn Cooley
* 5:45-7:15 p.m. Cody McCarver with special guest Doug Supernaw
* 7:30 p.m. Country star Sammy Kershaw
Kershaw has released 15 albums since launching his music career in 1991. Of those, three have been certified platinum and two gold. He has had 25 singles crack the Top 40, including his first No. 1, "She Don't Know She's Beautiful."
His other hits include "Cadillac Style," "Anywhere But Here," "Queen of My Double-Wide Trailer," "National Working Woman's Holiday" and "Third-Rate Romance."
Kershaw will perform until 9 p.m., after which fireworks will light up the night sky to close out the day with a bang.
"It's a big day for Dunlap," says Nunley. "There are a lot of people who come to Dunlap that day."
Contact Susan Pierce at spierce@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6284.