This year, Collegedale’s annual Independence Day celebration will have a little something extra.
Attendees this year can expect to hear Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder playing with the East Tennessee Symphony Orchestra. The ETSO board arranged to have Skaggs, a Grammy Award-winning country and bluegrass singer, perform with the symphony, which is a mainstay of the annual celebration.
This year’s performance is July 3 at the Veterans Park in Collegedale beginning at 4:30 p.m., and those in attendance can expect fireworks to begin between 9:45 and 10 p.m.
The city’s Independence Day celebration has been happening for nearly 50 years, according to Mayor Katie Lamb, and is something the city looks forward to planning each year.
“We think this is a special way that we can give back to our citizens for making Collegedale a great town,” said Lamb.
She encourages folks to come out early as there will be a market with produce, crafts and food trucks for people to enjoy along Swinyar Drive.
Beginning this year, parking will cost $5 per car and will go to support local nonprofits.
Free parking will be offered at Southern Adventist University and a shuttle to the event will be provided before and after the event.
Because parking is limited, the city encourages those who plan to use paid parking spaces to carpool in order to make the most of the available spaces.
Parking maps will be provided on the Collegedale city website. For more information on parking and exiting after the event, visit collegedaletn.gov.
In the event of rain, the celebration will be moved to July 31, with Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder still in attendance.
Email Ashley Arnold at aarnold@timesfreepress.com.