In a celebration marked by tradition and Americana, Gatlinburg welcomed tens of thousands of visitors for its 50th Annual Midnight Independence Day Parade. As clocks struck midnight on July 3, the streets of downtown Gatlinburg were lined with spectators ready to catch the start of the parade at 12:01 AM, celebrating the nation’s birthday in festive style.
The parade has been recognized as the “First Independence Day Celebration in the Nation,” and this year’s event didn’t disappoint. A shining lineup of floats, marching bands, and the appearance of country music star Logan Crosby, who served as the grand marshal, brought a heightened sense of excitement to Gatlinburg. Crosby, noted for his stint on “Claim to Fame,” led the festivities that included local businesses, first responders, and civic groups, as noted by WBIR.
Not only a parade, but the July 4th celebrations also featured a fireworks display and a patriotic drone show, which illuminated the skies over the Smoky Mountains, according to The Mountain Press. As is tradition, the drone show set the stage at 10:50 PM for the subsequent fireworks, erupting from the Gatlinburg Space Needle, solidifying the city’s reputation as a destination for Independence Day festivities…