For everyone who's ever debated whether the 1966 Mustang GT 350 or 1977 Porsche 924 is the world's coolest car, there will be a slice of heaven waiting for you in Soddy-Daisy on July Fourth.
From 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., hundreds of vintage and muscle cars plus hot rods galore will fill Dayton Pike by Soddy Lake as part of the city's annual Independence Day celebration.
"We usually get about 350 cars, and the owners have a swap meet where they bring parts and equipment to trade with each other," says organizer Robert Cothran. "And we also give car-related door prizes every hour. And we give away trophies."
There is a $20 fee for car owners who want to display their cars because the event serves as a fundraiser for the Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter 942.
"But the celebration itself is free," says Cothran. "There will be games for the kids. We always have music - country, rock and gospel. Vendors will be selling food."
One popular part of the all-day celebration is being rescheduled. The Firemen's Muster, a friendly competition between a half dozen local squads, is being postponed, "probably for Labor Day weekend," says Soddy-Daisy Fire Chief Mike Guffey. "We're looking at getting away from doing it on the Fourth because there's so much going on."
Cothran says the Soddy-Daisy celebration normally draws 8,000 to 10,000 attendees. There's no way to make the weather cooler and less humid, but the organizers will be providing shade in the heat.
"We'll have big tents with chairs inside so people can sit in the shade while they listen to music," he says. "We'll also have a series of smaller pop-up tents where people can get out of the sun and relax. We encourage people to bring a blanket and spread it out under a tent and just enjoy the music and the sights.
And if it rains?
"We get wet," he says.
Cothran can only remember one or two times in the last 20 years of the celebration when rain on July Fourth required the celebration to reschedule fireworks.
Of course, the sight everyone wants to see on July Fourth is fireworks. And if the weather cooperates, they will start as soon as night falls.
Contact Lynda Edwards at 423-757-6391 or ledwards@timesfreepress.com.