This year, locals will have to make a few different choices when it comes to enjoying a traditional 4th of July celebration.
Until this year, Alcoa has hosted FreedomFest 2024. However this past January, the city leaders announced that costs are too high to hold the event this fiscal year. Fireworks alone cost $85,000 last year, bringing the total expense for last year’s event to $130,000, that according to numbers shared with city commissioners. It was also stated that there aren’t a sufficient number of corporate sponsors to cover the cost.
“Several months ago, during our annual budgeting process at the City of Alcoa, decisions were made to address upcoming citywide projects and financial obligations. Unfortunately, this led to the difficult decision to postpone FreedomFest 2024,” city representatives said in a press release posted to Facebook.
Alcoa officials removed the celebration from the 2024 budget so that the numbers would balance after commissioners reduced the city property tax rate last June.
In addition, recent regulations were passed this past spring designed to limit private fireworks displays in both Alcoa and Maryville. Although it will be legal in both cities to shoot off fireworks from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on July 3 and 4, city officials cited numerous complaints about noise and misuse as the need to curb the hours involved. To be sure, fireworks remain legal, but the age to purchase them has been raised to 18.
Nevertheless, Blount County residents can still head to Townsend to catch a nearby fireworks display. Festivities will take place adjacent to Highland Manor, located at 7766 E. Lamar Alexander Parkway, beginning at 6 p.m. The free event will feature hotdogs at 6:30 p.m., followed by music from the popular oldies band Flashback and fireworks at 9:45 p.m. There will also be snow cones to help beat the heat and face painting for the kids. Lawn chairs and blankets are welcome.
For those that opt to travel a bit farther, here’s a list of other Independence Day celebrations taking place across East Tennessee.
Dollywood’s Summer Celebration is currently ongoing through Aug. 11. Fireworks and a multi-sensory drone experience illuminate the night sky on a daily basis and can be enjoyed free with a day’s admission.
The free Knoxville Celebration of the 4th takes place from 5-10 p.m. at World’s Fair Park. Activities will include miniature golf, ax-throwing competitions and paddle boating on the lake. Music will be provided by the Knox Vegas DJs, Bary Joey and the Mike Snodgrass Band. The Knoxville Symphony Orchestra will then take the stage at the Tennessee Amphitheater beginning at 8 p.m. for their 40th Annual Free Lawson Family Foundation Independence Day Concert, followed by fireworks from the Henley Street Bridge at 9:35 p.m. Pets, coolers and tents are prohibited, but chairs and blankets are encouraged.
Fourth of July festivities on Mabry’s Hill will be celebrated from 5-10 p.m. at Mabry-Hazen House. Aside from great views and scenic surroundings, guests can enjoy food and drinks, live music, games, activities for the kids, and tours of the historic house built in 1858. Lawn chairs and blankets are recommended for relaxation on the seven acres of green space located near Downtown Knoxville off I-40. From there, visitors can enjoy the fireworks from the City of Knoxville. Tickets for adults (16+) are $15.00 and include two drink tickets. The cost for children ages 5-15 are $5. Admission for members of Mabry-Hazen House is $10 and children under five are free.
James White’s Fort 4th of July Celebration will welcome guests from 10 a.m. until 11 a.m. and feature a reenactment presented by Sons of the Revolution. The event is free, but donations are accepted.
Pigeon Forge Patriot Fest will be held from 2 p.m. until 10:35 p.m. in Patriot Park and includes music, food, games, and a performance by country star Joe Nichols, followed by fireworks. Blankets and lawn chairs are welcome, but umbrellas and coolers are prohibited.
Other municipalities are also getting in on the action. Lenoir City’s free Rockin’ the Docks will be held in Lenoir City Park from 1 p.m. until 10:30 p.m. It will feature live music, food vendors and a children’s play area. Food and drinks will be available for purchase.
The City of Clinton hosts its free holiday celebration from 5-10 p.m. at Lakefront Park with live music, food vendors, antique cars, games, and activities for the kids, including laser tag, a petting zoo and a gaming truck. And of course, fireworks will cap the festivities.
Downtown Gatlinburg touts the fact that it offers the first 4th of July parade in the nation, beginning at 12:01 a.m. on July 4. It begins at Baskins Creek Bypass on East Parkway and then continues south onto Parkway at traffic light number three and passes through the length of downtown to traffic light number 10 on Ski Mountain Road. The fireworks begin at 10 p.m. on the Parkway. As always, the event is free.
Farragut’s Annual Independence Day Parade takes place on the 4th from 9:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. It begins on Kingston Pike at Stadium Drive and continues to Boring Road, just east of Farragut Towne Square Shopping Center .
The Museum of Appalachia plans to host its Independence Day Celebration & Anvil Shoot in Clinton. The event is free with a day’s admission to the museum. The Museum will open for visitors at 9 a.m. and anvil shooting will take place at 10 a.m., 11 a.m., 12 noon, 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. In addition, the event will feature a bell-ringing ceremony, flag procession, old-fashioned games, music, and demonstrations from beekeepers, blacksmiths, and patriotic re-enactment.
Gatlinburg’s popular River Raft Regatta will set sail once again on the Little Pigeon River in Downtown Gatlinburg. The cost is free. All contestants can register their floatables and bring them to the race’s starting line at the Christ in the Smokies bridge beginning at 11 a.m. The race will then kick-off at 1 p.m. and end after all floatables have crossed the finish line at Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies. Competitors can opt to rent a rubber duck for the competition for $2 or pick three for $5. Or, they can bring their own at no cost. Proceeds go to the Gatlinburg Chamber Foundation.
The free Loudon Independence Day Celebration begins a day early on July 3 at 5 p.m. in Loudon Municipal Park. Visitors can enjoy food trucks and tailgating and a special firework display beginning at 10 p.m. There’s also great viewing in areas surrounding Municipal Park. The following day, July 4, an Independence Day Parade will take place beginning at 10 a.m. on Mulberry St. Line up at 9 a.m. on Carter St. near Loudon High School.
The Greenback Community Center is offering families and friends an opportunity to celebrate the 4th from 6-10 p.m. with a free event featuring food trucks and live music beginning at 6 p.m. with fireworks to follow around 9:30 p.m.
The Kingston Smokin’s the Water celebration will take place at Kingston City Park from 2-10 p.m. This free annual event offers family-friendly activities, live music and food from a variety of vendors. It will then culminate with fireworks over Watts Bar Lake.
The Oak Ridge Community band will celebrate Independence Day with a selection of classic and contemporary patriotic music. Once the concert concludes, the Oak Ridge Fire Department will provide a fireworks display in AK Bissell Park. Razzelberry’s Ice Cream will have ice cream for purchase, but admission is free.
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