It's been an annual tradition on Signal Mountain for almost 50 years and it will continue on Monday, July 4, when the Signal Mountain Lions Club once again cooks up some delicious barbecue during the day and presents a fireworks show after dark.
Just don't go looking for both of those things in the same place.
The community event, including the 'cue, takes place at Althaus Park (behind the Signal Mountain Golf and Country Club), starting at 11 a.m. There should be enough barbecue to feed the masses until about 2 p.m., predicts Lions Club member John Moon.
The fireworks display will start around 9:45 p.m. and for the first time will take place about 3.5 miles away at Shackleford Ridge Park behind Signal Mountain Middle/High School.
According to the group's Facebook page, "There were several reasons that led to moving the fireworks out to the soccer fields at Shackleford Ridge. Safety of those coming to the event, lack of adequate parking for everyone, and the request by the country club to move the event."
Moon says things actually get underway around 9 a.m. when people and vehicles will begin lining up for a parade at Alexian Village that will begin making its way to Althaus Park around 10 a.m. Bikes, wagons, strollers, golf carts, floats and boats have been known to make the trip.
In addition to the barbecue at Althaus Park, there will be games and free eye screening for kids, a Lions Club signature project. Moon says work on the annual Independence Day celebration will actually start a day earlier when club members begin cooking the barbecue and will end the following day with cleanup.
"We have 92 members, and everyone of us has a job," he says.
This is one of four fundraisers for the Signal Mountain Lions Club. Proceeds go to several charities and organizations, including the Tennessee School for the Deaf, Tennessee School for the Blind, Signal Mountain Library and the Mountain Education Foundation.
Contact Barry Courter at bcourter@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6354.