CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — America’s 250th birthday is bringing one of the biggest Independence Day weekends the Tennessee Valley has ever seen.
Communities across Tennessee and northwest Georgia are marking the nation’s semiquincentennial with fireworks, parades, concerts, rodeos, drone shows, patriotic ceremonies and family festivals stretching across nearly a week.
Here’s a chronological guide to many of the major celebrations happening across our area.
Wednesday, July 1
Jasper:
- Jasper kicks off a four-day celebration with a Community Church Service in the Park at 6 p.m. in Jasper City Park.
Pikeville:
- Veterans and their families are invited to Military History and Veterans Recognition beginning at 5 p.m. at the Main Street Stage in downtown Pikeville.
Thursday, July 2
Chattanooga: Pops on the River at Coolidge Park
- Coolidge Park hosts Chattanooga’s longtime riverfront Independence Day tradition from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. with live music, food trucks, vendors, family activities, the Chattanooga Symphony and Opera and one of the area’s largest fireworks shows.
Jasper:
- Movie in the Park begins at 7:45 p.m. Jasper City Park, 700 Phillips Ave., Jasper.
Friday, July 3
Ringgold
- Catoosa County Fireworks Fest begins at 4 p.m. at the Northwest Georgia Amphitheater with vendors, a Kids Zone, live music from John King at 8:30 p.m. and fireworks afterward. Northwest Georgia Amphitheater, 264 Catoosa Circle, Ringgold.
Cleveland
- The America 250 Birthday Bash Pro Rodeo opens with a 7:30 p.m. performance. 5546 Waterlevel Hwy., Cleveland.
Jasper
- The town’s patriotic parade steps off at 7:30 p.m. Downtown Jasper.
LaFayette
- The city’s annual Freedom Festival features live music, family activities, vendors and fireworks. 252 First St., LaFayette, GA.
Saturday, July 4
Chattanooga
- The United 250 Finale Celebration will cap off Independence Day with a 500-drone show and a 1,000-foot pyro waterfall from the Market Street Bridge beginning around 10 p.m.
Erlanger Park
- Chattanooga Football Club hosts Inter Miami CF II before a postgame fireworks celebration.
Soddy-Daisy
- One of the region’s largest celebrations begins at 10 a.m. with a car show, vendors, pickleball, wiffle ball, live music throughout the day and fireworks after dark. 150 Depot St.
Lakesite
- The Lakesite Freedom Celebration runs from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Dallas Bay Church with food trucks, children’s activities and fireworks.
Chickamauga
- Walker County and the City of Chickamauga celebrate America’s 250th with activities beginning throughout the day, live music starting at 3 p.m. and fireworks around 9:30 p.m. Gordon Street, Chickamauga.
Dunlap
- Events begin with a 9 a.m. parade and include the opening of a 1976 Bicentennial time capsule, a full day of music, vendors and a fireworks show at 9 p.m. Headliner John Waite performs before the fireworks. Around Harris Park and downtown Dunlap.
Athens
- Athens Regional Park hosts one of the area’s most unique celebrations with the city’s first-ever patriotic drone show at 9:30 p.m., immediately followed by the Buddy Liner Memorial Fireworks Show. The day also includes live music, food, a model aircraft show, a full arcade and the burial of a new time capsule to be opened in 2126.
Cleveland
- The second day of the America 250 Birthday Bash Pro Rodeo includes vendors, live music, a tractor show and a fireworks display after the rodeo. Bradley Square Mall will also host its annual fireworks show around 9:15 p.m.
Etowah
- Etowah’s Old Fashioned Fourth of July Celebration begins with a pancake breakfast and 5K before a full day of music, pageants, contests, kids activities and a 10 p.m. fireworks and laser show. The SkynFolks, a Lynyrd Skynyrd tribute band, headline the evening. Downtown Etowah / Gem Theater area
Pikeville
- The celebration features a patriotic farmers market, parade, cruise-in, live music and fireworks at the Bledsoe County Fairgrounds.
Graysville
- Freedom Fest returns to Graysville Park with food, family activities and what organizers call the city’s biggest fireworks show.
Gruetli-Laager
The town’s celebration includes an 11 a.m. parade, festivities at Town Park, fireworks at 9 p.m. and a block party afterward…