The last long weekend of summer has arrived! The Knoxville 4th of July Weekend top five has your go-to list for the best events happening in and around Knoxville this weekend!
July 4th, 2016
World’s Fair Park
4 p.m. to 10 p.m.The Festival on the 4th delivers a wide variety of family fun including entertainment, activities and treats at the City of Knoxville’s 4th of July celebration at the World’s Fair Park.
The free festival begins at 4 p.m. and ends at approximately 10 p.m. at the conclusion of the fireworks display. This event is RAIN OR SHINE.
Throughout the day festival goers will be treated to good music, good food, good fun and good times on the Festival and Performance lawns of the World’s Fair Park.
From 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., Regal’s Kids Zone is sure to please kids of all ages with fun activities by Home Depot and Lego building with Bricks for Kids. Join us at 4 p.m. for some live music on the Festival Lawn.
Kelsey’s Woods will be performing on the Festival Lawn from 4:15 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. Combining equal parts of roots, country, folk and a little rock and roll, Kelsey’s Woods boasts four-part harmonies, interchangeable lead singers and all original songs.
Fourkast will be performing on the Festival Lawn from 6:15p.m.-7:30 p.m. Fourkast is a local Pop/Rock cover band.
The musical finale will be performed, starting at 8 p.m., by the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra. They will present the 32nd Annual FREE Pilot Flying J Independence Day Concert on the World’s Fair Park’s Performance Lawn. This is a FREE concert – no ticket required!Fireworks start at 9:35 p.m.
FREE PARKING: World’s Fair & Blackstock Parking Lots, 11th Street, Locust Street, Walnut Street, State Street & Market Square Garages – ADA Parking at Fort Kid Parking Lot
NO PETS – NO ALCOHOL
NO PERSONAL TENTS / TENT CANOPIES
RAIN OR SHINE
For more information, call the Knoxville Office of Special Events at 865-215-4248.
- July 4, 2016
- Phone: (865) 215-4248
- Time: 4:00 PM to 10:00 PM
- Price: Free
2) Independence Day Celebration and Anvil Shoot
Visitors to the Museum of Appalachia, a Smithsonian Affiliate Museum, will celebrate July 4th with the explosion of sound that pioneers heard thunder through the hills when they celebrated Independence Day. In pioneer days, shooting the anvil was a common practice for celebrating special events. Local blacksmiths would practice this tradition to celebrate the nation’s Independence, Christmas, and even Davy Crockett’s election to the U.S. Congress. Now, shooting the 175 pound anvil, an almost lost tradition, has become a highlight of the Museum’s annual July 4th Celebration. Folks as far as 15 miles away have reported hearing the blast, and certainly everyone gathered for the excitement, feels the earth shake under their feet. Along with a big boom several times during the day, there will be patriotic ceremonies, a flag waving procession, Longhunter camp stories, Appalachian music, and an array of historic demonstrations. Admission is charged, but the event is free for Museum members. Memberships provide a year of visits, and, as an official affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution, the Museum of Appalachia provides Smithsonian memberships in conjunction with its own program.
- July 4, 2016
- Location: 2819 Andersonville Highway, Museum of Appalachia, TN
- Phone: (865) 494-7680
- Time: 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM
- Price: $6-20
The Farragut Independence Day parade features a local celebrity as Grand Marshal, as well as the Farragut High School Band, floats, dancers, animals, antique cars and more! Date: Monday, July 4, 2016 Time: 9:30 a.m. Location: Kingston Pike from Concord Road to Boring Road
- July 4, 2016
- Location: Kingston Pike, Kingston Pike from Concord Rd to Boring Rd, TN
- Phone: 8659667057
4) Oak Ridge Independence Day Concert & Fireworks Show
This year’s July 4th Fireworks display, sponsored by the City of Oak Ridge, will begin at 10:00 p.m. at A.K. Bissell Park.
City Manager Mark Watson explained the reason for changing the venue. “From a logistical standpoint, shooting fireworks at Melton Lake is a strain on our limited resources. Trying to keep a normal flow of traffic on Melton Lake Drive with spectators parked on the shoulders of the road is not only a physical challenge, but also a real safety concern.”
The performance by the Oak Ridge Community Band in Bissell Park was also a factor in the decision, Mr. Watson added. “The Community Band will perform its annual 4th of July concert at the Pavilion beginning at 7:30 p.m. Families can come to the park, listen to a terrific concert, and not have to drive several miles in order to view the fireworks. It will be a great evening of family entertainment to celebrate Independence Day, and an opportunity for the community to share its patriotic pride.”
Public parking will be on a first come, first served, basis. Parking will not be allowed on the shoulders of S. Illinois Avenue or Oak Ridge Turnpike. These roads will remain open throughout the event.
The best view of the show will be from the East End of Bissell Park.
Badger Avenue will close beginning at 9:30 p.m. and will not reopen until the conclusion of the fireworks display.
5) Dollywood Independence Day Weekend
Visit Dollywood on Independence Day weekend (July 2–4) for a patriotic experience the whole family will love! From BBQ to Patriotic entertainment to fireworks, Dollywood has you covered for family 4th fun!
