With July 4 falling on a Friday this year, celebrations will stretch over three days, July 3-5, giving fun seekers multiple opportunities to chase down fireworks and other festivities.
Here’s a brief look around the region. We’ll add to this list as more dates are confirmed. To be included, email life@timesfreepress.com.
THURSDAY, JULY 3
› Chattanooga: Pops on the River, with food vendors, arts, crafts and a kids zone, opens at 4 p.m. at Coolidge Park, 150 River St. Music starts at 6 p.m. with Chattanooga Soul, featuring local musicians. The Chattanooga Symphony & Opera will follow at 7 p.m. with two sets of patriotic music, leading up to the fireworks finale at 9:45 p.m. Admission is free. Parking is free in Unum lots. Shuttles will run 4-11 p.m. chattanooga.gov
› Collegedale: The city’s annual Freedom Festival starts at 4 p.m. at the Collegedale Commons, 4950 Swinyar Drive, and ends with fireworks at 9:30 p.m. The musical lineup features the Get Happy Jazz Band at 5 p.m., the Chattanooga Horn Authority at 6:45 p.m. and the East Tennessee Symphony Orchestra at 8 p.m. A pie tasting contest and a presentation of Quilts of Valor to select Collegedale police officers and Tri-Community firefighters will take place at 6 p.m. Food vendors and children’s activities will be set up at Veterans Memorial Park on Apison Pike. Free admission; donations for parking. collegedaletn.gov
› Fort Payne, AL: Independence Celebration fireworks will start at 8:45 p.m CDT July 3 at the Fort Payne Sports Complex, 4501 Gault Ave. N. Gates open at 5 p.m. for music by DJ Snake, followed by The Locals at 6:45 p.m. Concessions will be available. Fort Payne High School is an optional site for viewing the fireworks. fortpayne.org
THURSDAY & FRIDAY
JULY 3-4
› Dunlap, TN: The party starts Thursday in Dunlap, with the Freedom Street Dance at 6 p.m. on Cherry Street. Music is by CampNormal and Neon Moon: The Ultimate ’90s Country Band. Food vendors will have concessions. On Friday, the annual parade starts at 9 a.m. on Cherry Street. At 10:30 a.m. the action moves to Harris Park, 245 Cedar St., for the 4th of July Music Festival headlined by John Schneider and Dunlap native Cody McCarver at 7 p.m. before fireworks at 9 p.m. (all times Central). Music starts at 10:30 a.m. Admission is free, though 100 VIP seats are available for $20 each. 423-949-2115
› Sewanee, TN: The two-day celebration kicks off Thursday with a street dance at Angel Park on University Avenue, the first in the monthlong concert series Musical Nights in the Park. Food vendors, children’s activities and a water slide will be set up at 5:30 p.m., and the band Utopia will play at 7 p.m. The larger celebration is Friday, with a morning filled with sunrise yoga, flag raising with the Sewanee Summer Music Festival brass players, a pub run, arts and crafts fair, mutt show and children’s games. The afternoon includes a cake decorating contest, bell ringing, carillon concert and parade. At 7:30 p.m. is a free Sewanee Summer Music Festival concert, followed at dark by a fireworks blowout ($1 donation) and food truck alley. sewanee4thofjuly.org
FRIDAY, JULY 4
› Athens, TN: The Friendly City’s Fourth of July Fireworks Celebration will start at 6 p.m. July 4 in Athens Regional Park, 2405 Decatur Pike. The monthly Sounds of Summer concert will take place at 6:45 p.m., with Sweet Georgia Sound performing. Fireworks will start at 9:30 p.m. Details on Facebook.
› Calhoun, GA: The Star-Spangled Celebration, with fireworks, is set for 5-10 p.m. July 4 at the Northwest Georgia Regional Fairgrounds, 1060 Liberty Road SW. Entertainment includes stilt walker Carrie McQueen, magician Michael Frisbee and music by Babe’s Bayou at 7 and 8:30 p.m. and Tommy Ray Gurley at 6:15 and 7:45 p.m. northwestgeorgiaregionalfair.com
› Chattanooga: Red, White & Blue Day at Creative Discovery Museum, 321 Chestnut St., is 9 a.m.-5 p.m. July 4. The day includes arts and crafts, the chance to sign a declaration of independence with a feather and quill, story time at 11 a.m. and a dance party at 3:30 p.m. leading up to the grand finale, the 21 Geyser Salute, using Diet Coke and Mentos. Activities are free with $20 museum admission. cdmfun.org
› Chattanooga: The Jewish Federation of Greater Chattanooga offers a Fourth of July picnic in air-conditioned comfort at 11:30 a.m. July 4 at the Jewish Cultural Center, 5461 North Terrace. The menu features barbecue chicken and sides, plus watermelon and cookies (vegetarian options by request). Performers include Lon Eldridge, Lou Wamp and Daniel Foster. Cost is $15 for one, $28 for two, $36 for a family of four. jewishchattanooga.com
— Chattanooga: The Nightfall concert series concludes its 10-week run on July 4 with a Bluegrass Bubble Bash that features an early start, bonus performances, MoonPies, Big Wheels and bubbles as an alternative to fireworks. Music starts at 5 p.m. with Ogya, followed by Caleb Lovely at 6 p.m., Dusty Leigh Huston at 7 p.m. and headliner East Nash Grass at 8 p.m. Adult Big Wheel races start at 5:30 p.m. (Cost is $40 per team of four. Register online at nightfallchattanooga.com or at White Lightning Harley-Davidson, 7720 Lee Highway.) A giant, patriotic MoonPie will be served, along with complimentary red, white or blue MoonPies from the MoonPie General Store, while supplies last. The bubble finale will include a closing performance by Karen Collins. Admission is free. nightfallchattanooga.com
› Cleveland, TN: The city’s Fourth of July fireworks, presented by Mount Olive Ministries and synchronized to music on Mix 104.1, will start at 9:15 p.m. July 4 from the Perry Stone Ministries offices, with best views on the east side of Bradley Square Mall, 200 Paul Huff Parkway. (The mall will be open 10 a.m.-6 p.m.). shopbradleysquare.com
› Dalton, GA: This year’s 4th of July Celebration, in its 67th year, moves to the North Georgia Fairgrounds, 500 Legion Drive. Gates open at 2:30 p.m., with 40+ food, craft and children’s activity vendors. Children’s pageants and a cornhole tournament are scheduled during the day, as is a wing eating contest at 5:30 p.m. NoZtalgia takes the stage at 6 p.m, followed by headliner Shelby Lynn Mosteller and her band at 8 p.m. Fireworks will follow at 9:45 p.m. Details on Instagram.
› Decatur, TN: The Downtown Summer Nights concert, starting at 6 p.m. July 4 and featuring Throttle 21, will end with fireworks at dark. Local vendors and food trucks will be set up at 116 N. Main St. meigschamber.org
› Etowah, TN: The Old-Fashioned 4th of July Celebration starts at 7 a.m. and ends with fireworks at 10 p.m. July 4. Events include a pancake breakfast, road race, beauty pageant, children’s activities and live music headlined by The Tams at the L&N Depot, 831 Tennessee Ave. enterpriseetowah.com
› Graysville, TN: The Graysville Fire Department will host Freedom Fest starting at 4 p.m. July 4 at Graysville City Park, aka Kristopher’s Kingdom, 475 Blacktrack Road. In addition to food and merchandise vendors, the day will include music, a free run for children and auctions (silent at 4 p.m., live at 6 p.m.). Fireworks follow at dark. Details on Facebook.
› Guntersville, AL: The Stranded Band will perform in a Fourth of July concert at 6:30 p.m. July 4 in Civitan Park, 1130 Sunset Drive, preceding fireworks over Lake Guntersville at 9 p.m. (all times Central). lakeguntersville.org
› Henagar, AL: The Sand Mountain Potato Festival on July 4 kicks off with a parade at 10 a.m. and concludes with fireworks at 9 p.m. (all times Central). The parade leads to the park, where activities include a cornhole tournament, antique car and tractor show, children’s games, arts and crafts vendors and live music. cityofhenagar.com
› Lakesite: The Lakesite Freedom Celebration is 6-10 p.m. July 4 at Dallas Bay Church, 8305 Daisy Dallas Road (must use this entrance). The event includes food trucks and children’s activities. lakesitetn.gov
› Pikeville, TN: The annual Star-Spangled Celebration starts 6 p.m. CDT July 4, with face painting, games and food vendors, at the Bledsoe County Fairgrounds, 234 Allen P. Deakins Road. Fireworks close out the day at 9 p.m. pikevilletn.com
— Rossville, GA: Lake Winnepesaukah Amusement Park, 1730 Lakeview Drive, will close out July 4 with fireworks synchronized to patriotic music at 10 p.m. The park will be open 10 a.m.-11 p.m., closing an hour later to let guests enjoy the show from inside the park (water rides are open 11 a.m.-7 p.m.). The fireworks show has been an Independence Day tradition at Lake Winnie since 1935. Tickets into the park are $44. However, as happens on every Friday this summer, if you bring a Dr Pepper can, or any other Coca-Cola product, you can get half off a second unlimited pass when you pay full price for the first (not valid with any other offers, discounts or group rate; one can required for every two people). lakewinnie.com
› Signal Mountain: Two longtime community events will mark the holiday on July 4. A parade will start at 9 a.m. from Rainbow Lake and follow James Boulevard to the Signal Mountain Golf & Country Club, 809 James Blvd. From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Signal Mountain Lions Club will be serving its annual July 4 BBQ in Althaus Park behind the country club. In addition to pork barbecue, the menu will include hamburgers, hot dogs and funnel cakes. Bulk purchases of barbecue, baked beans and coleslaw also are available (orders may be placed in advance). The event will include live music, face painting, balloon animals and bounce houses. smtnlions.org
› Trenton, GA: Dade County’s eighth annual 1945 Fair is scheduled noon-10 p.m. July 4. The day includes singers, children’s activities, art, craft and food vendors, a car show and games, with fireworks at dark. 1945fair.com
FRIDAY & SATURDAY
JULY 4-5
— Chattanooga: The Chattanooga Lookouts will have post-game fireworks both Friday and Saturday at AT&T Field, 201 Power Alley. Game time is 7:15 p.m. Tickets are $10-$13. milb.com/chattanooga
› Fort Payne, AL: DeSoto State Park has two days of family activities scheduled. Materials for the flag-making contest will be available starting July 3 at the Improved Campground, and flags made of natural materials on white foam boards must be turned in by 9 a.m. July 4 at the Nature Center to be judged. The Splish & Splash Pool Party, with ice cream and door prizes, is 6:30-9 p.m. July 4. An ice cream social in the Improved Campground Pavilion, starts at 4 p.m. July 5 (all times are Central). facebook.com/desotosp
SATURDAY, JULY 5
› Jasper, TN: Jasper’s Big Boom celebration starts at 4 p.m. CDT July 5 at the Jasper Ball Complex, 700 Phillips Ave. Fireworks start at 9 p.m. jasper-tn.com
› Ringgold, GA: For Fireworks Fest, 3-9 p.m. July 5, the grounds of the Catoosa Colonnade, 264 Catoosa Circle, will be filled with craft and food vendors, live bands and a kids zone with a petting zoo and inflatables. Fireworks start at 9:30 p.m. catoosarec.com
— Ringgold, GA: Pro wrestling company AWF’s Star Spangled Slammer is July 5 at the Circus Tent Arena, 751 Old Mill Road. On the bill are Mike Clay vs. AMJ and a heavyweight championship match featuring “Loverboy” Lex Lee vs. Brian Valor (with Robbie Rude) vs. “Casanova” Colton Cage vs. “Undeniable” Kris Krow. Matches start at 8 p.m. with fireworks immediately following, Tickets are $15-$18, with VIP tables starting at $106. (You can also catch a post-fireworks Let Freedom Ring rock and wrestling show Friday at Barrelhouse Ballroom, 1501 Long St. in Chattanooga. Music by Red Pawn starts at 9 p.m. AWF wrestling featuring “Loverboy” Lex Lee vs. Uncle Sam starts at 10:30 p.m. All-inclusive tickets are $15 in advance, $20 day of.) awfwow.com
› Rising Fawn, GA: McLemore Resort, 32 Clubhouse Lane, will host its second Carnival Americana, an old-fashioned community fair with a golf cart parade, inflatables and music by Sarah Darling starting at 6 p.m. July 5, ending with fireworks at 9:30 p.m. A buffet dinner, with cash bar, is $15-$40. Admission is $25 if not a club member or overnight guest. mclemoreresort.com
› Scottsboro, AL: The Independence Day Celebration will take place 9 a.m.-4 p.m. CDT July 5 on the downtown square, 413 S. Broad St. The day includes live music, children’s activities and vendors. The parade at 10 a.m. is open to anyone with a golf cart, side-by-side or other small vehicle decorated in red, white and blue. Musicians, majorettes, color guard and dance line performers may also take part in the marching band as the parade makes a lap around the square (must register). cityofscottsboro.com
› Soddy-Daisy: The annual Independence Day Celebration is an all-day affair at the Soddy Lake Recreation Complex, 105 Durham St. Events get underway at 10 a.m. July 5 with a wall ceremony hosted by Vietnam Veterans of America. The car show will end at 2 p.m., and the kids zone, which includes classic carnival games, will close at 8 p.m. Food and vendor booths will be open 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Live entertainment is scheduled 4:30-10 p.m. Fireworks will start at dusk. soddy-daisy.org
Contact Lisa Denton at ldenton@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6281.
