Fourth of July Events Around The Region

ABINGDON
4TH CELEBRATION: Coomes Recreation Center, July 4. Pool opens 10 a.m.; food vendors and music starts 2 p.m.; The Return, a Beatles tribute band, at 8:15 p.m.; kids games, 4-8:30 p.m.; fireworks, 9:45 p.m. (276) 623-5279.

PATRIOTIC CEREMONY: Historic Sinking Spring Cemetery, July 4, Remembering Our Veterans, 10:30 a.m. Sponsored by Black’s Fort Chapter DAR and General William Campbel Chapter SAR.

BLOUNTVILLE
RURITAN PARADE: July 4, 2 p.m. Fourth of July parade will lineup on Keystone Drive between 1:15-1:45 p.m. Blountville Ruritan members available to assist and will hand out entry forms for floats. First through third place prizes awarded for non-political floats. Parade will end at courthouse. Jere Houser, (423) 323-8240 or Charles Long (423) 323-5392.

BLOWING ROCK, N.C.
JULY 4TH FIREWORKS EXTRAVAGANZA: Tweetsie Railroad, July 4, evening entertainment and fireworks. Park open until 9 p.m. for festivities. Rain date July 5. $30 adults/$22 for children 3-12/children 2 and under free. (877) TWEETSIE or http://www.tweetsie.com.

BRISTOL
DOUGLASS/SLATER REUNION: Bristol, Va.-Tn., July 3-5. High school classmates invited to activities including a reception, dance, dinner, golf tournament, picnic, parade and more. Reservations: John Edwards III, (423) 292-5785 or John Hogans III, (423) 764-9388.

STAR-SPANGLED SATURDAY: Downtown, July 5. Parade at 10 a.m. down State Street. Community picnic follows at Cumberland Square Park with hot dogs, potato chips and water. Music with Bristol Virginia Senior Show Choir, Scat Cats and Wells Brothers, children’s inflatables, more. Fireworks at Bristol Motor Speedway, 9:30 p.m. or after the UARA 150 race.

ELIZABETHTON
CELEBRATE LIBERTY!: Sycamore Shoals State Historic Area, July 5, Muster of the Kid’s Militia; Ring in nation’s independence with Fort Watauga Militia. Meet at fort for raising of old glory and a special cannon salute, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; July 5-6, Independence Garrison. Visit with company of Overmountain men. Garrison will continue until Sunday at 3 p.m. (423) 543-5808.

EWING, VA.
WILDERNESS ROAD STATE PARK: Ewing, Va., Historic Martin’s Station, July 4, An Ancient World Through Modern Eyes, an event highlighting archaeology in Lee County, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. July 4-6, A Declaration of Independence depicting Second Continental Congress meeting in Philadelphia, July 4, 1776, approved a Declaration of Independence, severing the colonies’ ties to the British Crown; (276) 445-3065 or http://www.martinsstation.com.

FALL BRANCH, TENN.
LAMPLIGHT THEATRE: July 5, 2 and 7 p.m. Dinner theater performances of United We Stand, a patriotic tribute featuring music and dance. $15 adults/$10 students. Performances only on July 11-12, 7 p.m. with matinee on July 12 at 2 p.m. Suggested donation, $8 adults/$5 students. Reservations: (423) 348-7610 or http://www.lamplighttheatre.com.

GLADE SPRING
JULY CELEBRATION: Leo “Muscle” Sholes Memorial Park, July 12, X-Treme Dance Co., 4-6 p.m. with music by Shiloh, Grassy Ridge, Caution and fireworks at 10 p.m. Vendors, crafts, concessions, games and rides by Glade Spring Volunteer Life Saving Crew.

JOHNSON CITY
PEPSI INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATION: Freedom Hall Civic Center grounds, July 4, 4-8 p.m. Johnson City Fire Department Rope Rescue Team demonstrations from water tower at Pactolas Road and Liberty Bell Boulevard; 5-5:45 p.m. Entertainment with Dance Company; 5:45-8 p.m. Entertainers April Taylor and Greenbriar Bluegrass Band; 9:40 p.m. Special tribute to all armed forces, 9:50 p.m. Musical introduction for fireworks; 9:55-10:15 p.m.; shuttle bus available; (423) 461-4855.

JONESBOROUGH
JONESBOROUGH DAYS: July 4-6, “Farmin’ on the Fourth” held throughout historic district to honor agricultural heritage. Visit villages from different periods in time, see traditional handmade crafts, concerts, old-time children’s and adult activities and more. July 4 parade at 10 a.m.; July 5, fireworks at 10 p.m. (423) 753-1010.

KINGSPORT
FOURTH OF JULY CELEBRATION: July 4, DKA Kids Zone with inflatables, dance to music, games and train ride, 5-8 p.m. New addition is rock climbing wall; Concert with Full Circle, 6 p.m. and Southern Culture on the Skids, 8 p.m. Food, drinks will be available; Art exhibit honoring those who have fought for country by James B. Phillips III, 4-7 p.m.; Fireworks from atop Domtar’s Cement Hill, 9:50 p.m. (423) 246-6550 or http://www.downtownkingsport.org.

KNOXVILLE
INDEPENDENCE DAY POPS CONCERT: World’s Fair Park, South Lawn, July 4. Knoxville Symphony Orchestra presents patriotic and classical music, 8 p.m. with a fireworks display 9:50 p.m. Free. (865) 291-3310 or http://www.knoxvillesymphony.com.

LEBANON
CELEBRATION: Lebanon Library, July 8. Founding of our country with a reading of the Declaration of Independence, 7 p.m. Entire audience will read aloud the introduction and conclusion of Declaration. Refreshments will follow. (276) 889-8044.

MARION
ALL-AMERICAN CELEBRATION: Marion Senior High School Stadium, July 4. Thunder Road concert, 7 p.m. Fireworks display choreographed to patriotic music after concert. (276) 783-4190 or (276) 783-4042.

SALTVILLE
BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION: Museum of the Middle Appalachians, July 4. Little Salty, the mascot of the museum will be 12 years old. Admission to the museum will be free all day and each child will receive a free American flag, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (276) 496-3633 or http://www.museum-mid-app.org.

TAZEWELL
INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATION: Crab Orchard Museum, July 4. Living history demonstrations, music featuring Charly & Diamonds in the Rough,  food, games, period reenactment and more, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Free, however, donations accepted. (276) 988-6755 or .

WATAUGA
7th ANNNUAL BOAT PARADE: July 4, 2 p.m., Parade will start out at Watauga Dam, travel to Shook Branch, by the Captain’s Table, Watauga Point and end at the Butler Bridge. Prizes will be given for Best Decorated Houseboat, more; Fireworks July 4, 9 p.m. at Lakeshore Marina and Mallard Cove Marina; July 5, Cove Ridge Marina with Live Band, 6-9 p.m. Fireworks, 9 p.m. (423) 543-0332.