general information
Event Dates
Jul 03, 2007
Contact Information
Downtown Parkway
Gatlinburg, TN 37738
Phone: (800) 568-4748
Email Contact
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Fourth of July Midnight Parade, Presented by Red Baron Pizza
For the 32nd consecutive year, Gatlinburg will kick off America’s Independence Day celebration with the nation’s first parade, which will lead off at 12:00 a.m. on July 4 to the cheers of 80,000 to 100,000 spectators. Sponsored by Red Baron Pizza, a tribute to our five branches of military service and the observance of Gatlinburg’s Bicentennial Celebration will be among the many highlights.
“This will be one of the most patriotic and colorful midnight parades that the City of Gatlinburg has ever produced,” according to Special Events Manager George Hawkins. “We are very excited about the entire day of events!”
As soon as the street is closed, the parade route comes alive with pre-parade entertainers that begin the excitement of what is to follow. Giant helium balloons soar through the skyline of downtown Gatlinburg, from red, white, and blue Stars to Alphonso the dragon, Humpty Dumpty, and a giant patriotic Eagle and All-Star Train. More than 100 volunteers are signed on to help the balloons navigate the streets of Gatlinburg, with over 100 entries of all types scheduled to appear. National entries such as Schwan’s Foods and Red Baron Pizza bring in their Blaine Kern-designed floats.
Gatlinburg’s popular River Raft Regatta takes place at noon on Wednesday, July 4th, beginning at the Christus Gardens bridge on River Road and ending at the Aquarium bridge in downtown Gatlinburg. This unmanned river raft race is open to anything floatable except balls and plastic eggs. In the past, families have entered boats made out of matchsticks, floating rocks, as well as little rubber ducks. Registration takes place between 11 a.m. and noon, with the race beginning promptly at noon. Support for the River Raft Regatta is provided by the Gatlinburg Recreation Center.
Then, just an hour after sundown, the Fourth’s Grand Finale occurs on the streets of downtown Gatlinburg with a fireworks extravaganza visible all along the Parkway from Applebee’s to the Sky Lift. Lasting almost 20 minutes in duration, the sights and sounds of “the rocket’s red glare” will fill the sky as a fitting tribute to this day of celebrating freedom.
For more information about the 32nd Annual Red Baron 4th of July Midnight Parade or the River Raft Regatta, please call 800-56-VISIT (568-4748) or visit www.gatlinburg.com.
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