general information
Event Dates
Jul 04, 2009
Contact Information
Downtown Parkway
Gatlinburg, TN 37738
Phone: (800) 568-4748
Email Contact
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Carr's Northside Cottages & Motel
Laurel Springs Lodge Bed & Breakfast
Hickory Mist Luxury Cabins and Lodges
thingstodo
Gatlinburg's July 4th Midnight Parade, Presented by Land O' Lakes Half & Half
For the 34th consecutive year, Gatlinburg kicks off America’s Independence Day celebration with the nation’s first parade, which leads off at 12 a.m. on Saturday, July 4, to the cheers of close to 100,000 spectators and features a special tribute to our four branches of military service among the many highlights.
In recognition of the 75th Anniversary of the establishment of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, as well as the birthday of our Country on July 4, the City of Gatlinburg will recreate the September 2, 1940, Presidential Motorcade of Franklin D. Roosevelt as it traveled through Gatlinburg on its way to Newfound Gap. There, perched high above a throng of onlookers, FDR officially dedicated the Park while standing with one foot in North Carolina and one foot in Tennessee.
The mobile reenactment will lead the 34th Annual 4th of July Midnight Parade, Presented by Land O’ Lakes Half & Half, at 12:01 a.m. in front of 100,000 patriotic spectators in the early morning hours of Saturday, July 4th, 2009. The Presidential Motorcade will be reproduced in vintage style with period automobiles and costuming as along with vintage motorcycles to escort the motorcade. Stretching more than a mile in length, over 100 units will make their way through Gatlinburg, showcasing many elaborately decorated floats, helium balloons, marching bands, equestrian entries and a large contingent of our armed services men & women.
As soon as the street is closed late on July 3, the parade route comes alive with pre-parade entertainers that begin the excitement of what is to follow. Marching bands, colorful floats and helium balloons will navigate the streets, with over 100 entries of all types scheduled to appear.
“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, who organized the first Gatlinburg 4th of July parade in 1976 in celebration of America’s Bicentennial.
“We are very excited about the entire weekend of events, which will include a four-day festival highlighting our armed services!”
upcoming events
Nov 7, 2009
Celtic Fest
Jackson, TN
Nov 6, 2009 - Nov 7, 2009
Christmas Sampler
Springfield, TN
Nov 7, 2009
Candy Cane Lane
Sparta, TN
Nov 7, 2009
Veterans Day Celebration
Townsend, TN
Nov 6, 2009 - Nov 7, 2009
Mistletoe Market & Cafe
Cookeville, TN