These small towns are celebrating the Independence Day holiday in a big way:
ATHENS, TENN.
Fun on Tuesday, July 4, starts at 11 a.m. in Athens when American Legion Post 69 hosts an Independence Day party in Market Park Pavilion until 4 p.m.
There will be food, fun and popular party band The Beaters playing from 2 to 4 p.m.
Tuesday night, the city of Athens has contracted Pyro Shows to put on the fireworks show at 9:30 p.m. in Athens Regional Park. Word has it 3,000 shells are going to splash colors across the night sky.
* For more information: 423-745-0334.
The Blue Ridge Old Timers Parade will be held Saturday, July 1, in Blue Ridge, Ga.BLUE RIDGE, GA.
Events kick off with the annual Old Timers Parade, always held the Saturday closest to July 4. This year the parade through downtown Blue Ridge will step off at 10 a.m. CDT on Saturday, July 1.
Saturday was selected by the Historical Society years ago because that was the only day farmers would come to town. The farmers would bring their buggies, horses, mules or tractors and ride in the parade alongside city officials, business owners, bands and anyone else wanting to be involved.
After the parade, the fun continues Saturday with food and music at Lake Blue Ridge Marina, 335 Marine Drive, from 2 to 10 p.m. Barbecue will be served at 2 p.m. (cash only.) Fireworks close out the day.
* For more information: 706-632-5680.
CALHOUN, GA.
Gates open at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, July 4, for Calhoun's Star-Spangled Celebration at the Northwest Georgia Regional Fairgrounds on Highway 53.
Music and activities start at 6 p.m. Fireworks will begin at 10 p.m.
* For more information: exploregordoncounty.com.
CLEVELAND, TENN.
Bradley Square Mall will close at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, July 4, in preparation for the annual fireworks display that night. Fireworks will begin about 9:30 p.m. from the T.L. Lowery lot.
Santa Fe Cattle Co. will open Tuesday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. You can order take-out and eat while enjoying the fireworks by calling 423-790-7518.
Carmike Bradley Square 12 will be open its regular hours of operation.
* For more information: 423-479-3381 or 423-790-7273.
CROSSVILLE, TENN.
Crossville celebrates the evening of Tuesday, July 4. Activities start at 5 p.m. CDT with concessions and inflatables at Crossville Centennial Park, 837 Industrial Blvd. Music by Carrie Hassler & Soul Survivor begins at 6:30 p.m. with fireworks at 9.
* For more information: www.crossvilletn.gov.
DALTON, GA.
Dalton Parks and Recreation is hosting a party in Heritage Point Park, 1275 Cross Plains Trail, on Tuesday, July 4.
There will be inflatables, food, music and contests that afternoon leading up to fireworks at 9:30 p.m.
* For more information: 706-278-5404
DECATUR, TENN.
Tyson Leamon will perform Tuesday, July 4, in the Downtown Summer Nights concert series on the Main Street square before the fireworks start at dark. Bring a lawn chair and settle in for the night's shows.
* For more information: www.facebook.com/downtownsummernightstn.
DUNLAP, TENN.
Dunlap's two-part celebration on Tuesday, July 4, starts with a parade at 9 a.m. CDT before the party moves to Harris Park for an afternoon and evening of food, kids fun and music.
Country music singer Sammy Kershaw headlines this "Hats Off to America" celebration. He will perform at 7:30 p.m. followed by the fireworks finale. (See full story on Page 10.)
* For more information: 423-488-5068.
ELLIJAY, GA.
Celebrate Independence Day on Tuesday, July 4, with a parade, live music, contests, games and food in downtown Ellijay from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.Fireworks at dusk.
* For more information: 706-635-7400.
ETON, GA.
A free festival starts at 5 p.m. on Friday, June 30, at Pleasant Valley Orchards and Fairgrounds, 4564 Highway 411. Music starts at 7 p.m., concluding with the fireworks display at dusk.
* For more information: www.etonevents.com.
ETOWAH, TENN.
Join residents for their Old-Fashioned Fourth of July Celebration on Tuesday, July 4, in downtown Etowah around the historic L&N depot. The fun lasts from 8 a.m until the party closes down at 11 p.m.
The event features a 5k road race/walk, beauty pageant, pizza-eating contests, patriotic program, live entertainment, games, attractions and musical performances before fireworks conclude the party.
* For more information: 423-263-2228.
Fireworks will close out Freedom Fest in Graysville, Tenn., on Saturday, July 1.GRAYSVILLE, TENN.
The annual Freedom Fest is set for Saturday, July 1, from 4 to 11 p.m. at Kristopher's Kingdom Park, 475 Blacktrack Road. The community party is presented by the Graysville Volunteer Fire Department.
Food, fun, games, live auction, music by the Barely Kickin' Band and a car show at 4 p.m. are all part of the day's lineup before the event closes out with fireworks.
* For more information: 423-775-9242.
HENAGAR, ALA.
The Sand Mountain Potato Festival is traditionally held on July 4 in Henagar. This year's party starts at 10 a.m. CDT Tuesday in Henagar Town Park, 1516 Terrace Heights Drive, Fort Payne.
Residents of Sand Mountain celebrate their heritage with live music, arts and crafts, entertainment, games and fireworks. The 34th Potato Festival will conclude with a beautiful fireworks display.
* For more information: 256-657-6282
HIXSON
A fireworks display will be shot from Camp Columbus, 8601 Camp Columbus Road, at dusk on Monday, July 3.
Gates open at 5:30 p.m., music starts at 6 p.m. Hamburgers and hot dogs with all the fixings along with drinks will be sold. Bring a chair to watch fireworks burst over Lake Chickamauga. No pets allowed, though.
* For more information: 423-842-7011.
JASPER, TENN.
Fireworks will fill the night sky above Jasper City Park, Phillips Avenue and East Seventh Street, at dusk on Tuesday, July 4.
* For more information: 423-942-3180.
LAFAYETTE, GA.
With more than 50 vendors, food, music and fireworks, there is something for all ages at this year's Freedom Festival on Saturday, July 1, in LaFayette Municipal Park, 638 S. Main St.
The day starts at 7 a.m. with the second Freedom Fest Run, a 5k/10k and fun run that is USATF-certified. All routes begin and end at the LaFayette Recreation Department. The run loops through downtown, LaFayette Municipal Golf Course and around the historic Marsh House.
Registration is $35 for an individual in the 5k, $40 for the 10k and $20 for the mile fun run. Awards will be given out at 8:45 a.m.
The party moves to LaFayette Municipal Park beginning at 3 p.m. There will be a free swim from 3 to 8 p.m., Ultimate Frisbee exhibition at 5:30 p.m. and an Old Timers Game at 7 p.m. before the fireworks start popping at 9:45 p.m.
* For more information: freedomfestival5k.itsyourrace.com
LAKESITE
The Lakesite family barbecue is set for 6 p.m. Tuesday, July 4, at Lakesite Park, 9201 Rocky Point Road.
Residents are asked to bring a side dish and the city will provide the barbecue. The free party closes with fireworks at dusk.
* For more information: 423-842-2533.
MCCAYSVILLE, GA.
It's Copper Basin tradition that fireworks be shot from Tater Hill at half an hour past sunset. The party on Friday, June 30, starts at 6 p.m. CDT with music until the fireworks start about 9:30 p.m.
* For more information: 706-632-5680.
SEWANEE, TENN.
Sewanee celebrates "May the Fourth Be With You" over two days of events all around Monteagle Mountain. All times listed are Central.
Dance to the music of Bad Nayber on Monday, July 3, at a street dance from 8 p.m. to midnight at Sewanee Market near Craven's Hall on the campus of the University of the South.
Tuesday, July 4, at 8 a.m., the 40th annual Pub Run will be held at Monteagle Assembly. An arts and crafts fair will open at 9 a.m. in Shoup Park. There's a Mutt Show at 10 a.m. in Manigault Park.
Beer, bands and barbecue are on tap when the Sewanee Business Alliance hosts a free music and barbecue event in Angel Park from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. The Blue Chair is bringing the barbecue for $6 a plate, the beer is Jackalope and JackWagon band plays at 11 a.m.
JackWagon plays rock, country, pop, jazz, funk and blues.
The Fourth of July parade down University Avenue from Sewanee Market to Hall Street steps off at 2 p.m. Then the party in Angel Park continues with The Thumping Richards at 3:15 p.m.
The Thumping Richards, Sewanee's R&B band, is comprised of Joseph Butler (lead vocal, rhythm guitar), Isaac Sligh (lead guitar, vocals), Fiona Charnow (lead vocal), Owen Pearson (bass) and Reece Jamison (drums). Playing Allman Brothers to Sam Cooke to the Isley Brothers, no two Thumping Richards concerts are ever the same.
A free patriotic celebration by the musicians at Sewanee Summer Music Festival will be presented at 7 p.m. in Guerry Auditorium at the University of the South before fireworks will close the day with a bang at Lake Cheston.
* For more information: Facebook.com/4thOfJulyParadeSewaneeTn.
SODDY-DAISY
The Vietnam Veterans of America, chapter 942, are sponsoring the annual Fourth of July celebration in Soddy-Daisy Park on Tuesday, July 4, starting at 10 a.m.
The fun includes food and craft vendors, music and a car show before fireworks color the night sky above Soddy Lake to close out the day.
* For more information: 423-718-1735.
SOUTH PITTSBURG, TENN.
The Independence Day party at the River Park boat dock starts at 5 p.m. CDT on Tuesday, July 4.
In addition to food and drinks, there will be a super slide and obstacle course for kids, as well as music before fireworks are shot from the boat dock at 9 p.m.
SPRING CITY, TENN.
Try your luck in watermelon- and pickle-eating contests at the Shake the Lake Independence Day Celebration in Spring City Veterans Park on Saturday, July 1.
In addition to Mr. and Miss Firecracker pageants, there's a duck race at 5 p.m. and music from 5:30 until fireworks at dusk.
* For more information: 423-280- 8219.
Uncle Sam greets fans at the depot in Summerville, Ga.SUMMERVILLE , GA.
Two events combine for a day-long patriotic salute at Summerville's Fourth of July festival on Saturday, July 1. The Independence Day party is as American as apple pie - in fact, there will be an apple pie contest during the day.
Summerville Main Street will kick off the day at the Summerville Depot with "Stars and Stripes At The Depot/Patriotic Picnic" and the city of Summerville will end the day with a bang at the "Celebrate Independence Festival and Fireworks Show."
Stars and Stripes At The Depot begins at 11:30 a.m. and runs through 2:30 p.m. The highlight of the event is the arrival of the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum's passenger train and the turning of the steam engine on the Summerville turntable.
Everyone is invited to participate in a patriotic balloon release, which will be held at the turntable site during the turning of the steam engine. Vendors will be on hand, as will Uncle Sam for photo-ops.
There will be a Fried Apple Pie Contest open to the public; register inside the depot between 11 to 11:30 a.m. Fried pies for judging should be made in advance, with three fried pies and a recipe accompanying each at registration. Winners will be announced at 2 p.m. Registration forms are available at Summerville City Hall and will be on-site at the event.
Tuesday at 6 p.m., the party moves to Chattooga County Agricultural Center. There will be free water-slide play, free sliced watermelon and bottled water while supplies last, sack race games, concerts, cornhole tournament and, of course, the fireworks finale. Cornhole registration is $20 per team.
* For more information: 706-859-0910.
TULLAHOMA, TENN.
Pyro Shows is putting on a fireworks extravaganza synced to music that will close out Tullahoma's annual Independence Day Regional Celebration on Monday, July 3.
From 3 to 11 p.m., Frazier-McEwen Park will be filled with nearly 30 vendors and a Kids Zone, while music plays in the adjacent Grider Stadium.
"New this year, we have added an extra band that will play after the fireworks at 9 p.m.," says Winston Brooks. "We are going to extend the festivities with a Tom Petty tribute band called Wildflowers."
Brooks says the Kids Zone will include an exotic animal petting zoo, fun train, 30-foot waterslide, 100-foot Slip N Slide, face painting and games.
Music starts in the stadium at 3:30 p.m. with four acts lined up to play: Vinyl Radio (1970s-80s music), Make Me Smile (Chicago tribute band), Twelve Against Nature (Steely Dan tribute band) and Wildflowers.
"The lead singer of Twelve Against Nature is the keyboard player for Carrie Underwood," says Brooks.
This celebration has been presented by the Tullahoma Kiwanis Club since its founding in 1968. Two years ago the Kiwanians partnered with the city of Tullahoma in their Fourth of July tradition.
* For more information: 931-247-1574.
WINCHESTER, TENN.
The city of Winchester and area businesses will host a fireworks display over Tims Ford Lake on Sunday, July 2. The display can be seen from all 100 acres of the park and is enjoyed by boaters on the lake.
* For more information: www.winchester-tn.com.
- Compiled by staff writer Susan Pierce