Clarksville, Fort Campbell celebrations delight crowds on July 4

The City of Clarksville kicking off its annual Independence Day Celebration on July 3 with food, music and fireworks, a longstanding tradition in the city.

Amanda Pitt, event planning specialist with Clarksville Parks & Recreation, said the decades-long event usually draws 5,000 – 7,000 people.

Music at this year's event included Clarksville favorites Cody Parson and the Heavy Change, followed by Memphis band Southern Avenue. Opening the show was local solo artist Ray Landrum performing an acoustic set.

“This is a huge all-hands-on-deck situation. A lot of people come together to make this happen. There is something for everybody," Pitt said.

Mayor Joe Pitts attended, while Cynthia Pitts delivered the invocation, and the 101st Airborne Division Honor Guard posted the colors. The event included activities like face painting, hair braiding and treats like frosty beverages from Star Spangled Brewery and a dozen food trucks.

Weather did play a role in attendance at this year's events on Friday and Saturday, bringing heat indexes above 100 degrees. On Saturday afternoon, strong winds and heavy storms moved through Fort Campbell causing a slight delay in the festivities.

A light breeze on the morning of July 4 allowed scores of patriotic folks to head to the historic Clarksville-Montgomery County Court House for the annual Reading of the Declaration of Independence on the Court House steps.

Members of the Daughters and Sons of the American Revolution hosted the event. Music was performed by Cumberland Winds. SAR Past President Rick Longton shared the wise words of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and other Founding Fathers.

The Declaration of Independence was read aloud, then muskets were fired, followed by the firing of the cannon that stands at the corner on the lawn of the courthouse.

Celebration at Fort Campbell

Friday night, thousands headed northwest to this year's Fourth of July Fest at Fort Campbell, which included a concert featuring Echosmith and headliner, rap legend Ludacris, followed by a spectacular fireworks display, two dozen or more food trucks and the return of the carnival.

“We are excited to offer a different genre of music for this July 4 concert, and are thrilled to have the carnival back for the first time since 2019," Melissa Schaffner, Chief of NAF Support Division, Fort Campbell Directorate of Family Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR) said.

Entry to the concert and carnival were free and open to the public. This year's carnival ran from July 3 – 6.