John Anderson                            

    Country music star John Anderson will perform at the 22^nd annual Patriot Festival in Patriot Park on July 4^th.  Joining Anderson will be Rock and Roll Hall of Famers, the Lovin’ Spoonful.  

   In a career that has spanned more than 30 years, Anderson has charted more than 40 singles on the Billboard country music charts, including five Number Ones: "Wild and Blue", "Swingin'", "Black Sheep", "Straight Tequila Night", and "Money in the Bank.” He has also recorded twenty-two studio albums on several labels. His newest album, Bigger Hands, was released on June 2009, on the Country Crossing label.

    Joining Anderson on a full day of musical acts is The Lovin’ Spoonful.  The band was originally formed in the 1960s and elected to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2000. They were the original band selected to play in the TV series “The Monkees.” The Lovin’ Spoonful is best known for hits “Do You Believe in Magic?”, “Daydream”, “Summer in the City” and many other hits.

   The Lovin' Spoonful 

   The event begins at 1 p.m. on July 4^th in Patriot Park. Several local bands will perform throughout the day. The Lovin’ Spoonful will take the stage at 7:15 and Anderson performs at 8:15. Seventeen vendors will be selling souvenirs, food and refreshments to benefit local charities and non-profit agencies. The event is free to the public. The Patriot Festival spans the afternoon and evening with great food, games, entertainment and a dazzling firework finale. Patriot Park is located on Old Mill Street at traffic light number 7 behind the historic Old Mill. Attendees can take advantage of the city parking lot on Teaster Lane with a trolley shuttle going to Patriot Park. At 1 in the afternoon, the Kids Carnival begins. Kids will love the free Kids’ Karnival zone with inflatables and games.

    Fans who come to enjoy the festivities may bring a lawn chair (no umbrellas, please). Following the  performances, the Pigeon Forge night sky will come to life with a fantastic fireworks display. The fireworks usually start at 9:30 to 9:45 p.m.

   Gatlinburg also plays host to the Gatlinburg Midnight Parade - the FIRST July 4th parade in the USA. It starts at 12:01 a.m. on the parkway in Gatlinburg, Tennessee.

    The first Independence Day parade in the nation marks its 36^th year with a happy birthday wish for the United States of America on July 4 in the foothills of the beautiful Smoky Mountains.

    For the 36th consecutive year, Gatlinburg kicks off America’s celebration with the nation’s first parade, which leads off in the opening moment of the holiday at 12 a.m. on Monday, July 4, to the cheers of close to 100,000 spectators. Members of the U.S. Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, and Coast Guard, plus vintage military vehicles, local area public safety agencies, and lots more will appear in the parade.

                                                                                         Catherine Bach

    Catherine Bach, famous for her role as “Daisy Duke” in the hit series “Dukes of Hazard” will appear in Gatlinburg’s 36th annual Fourth of July Midnight Parade, courtesy of Cooter’s Place. Rick Hurst, a.k.a. “Cletus,” also from the series will be in attendance. An escort of vehicles from Hazzard County including the famous “General Lee” will also be in the parade.

    Highlights for this year’s Independence Day weekend celebration include a series of performances by the renowned 100th United States Army Band from Fort Knox, Kentucky.

    Street Performers warm up the crowd before the begining of last year's parade

      In addition to marching in parade, the 100th US Army Band from Ft. Knox, Kentucky, will feature concerts of different groups on Sunday, July 3, with all performances on Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies Plaza. The Sunday lineup will include the Dixieland Band at 10 a.m., the Brass Quintet at noon, the Jazz Ensemble at 2 and the Rock Band at 4. On Monday, July 4, the entire 100th Army Concert Band will perform on the Plaza beginning at 8:30 p.m. before the Independence Day fireworks finale at 10 p.m.

   The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians will be paying tribute to two deceased tribal veterans with their entry: Medal of Honor Recipient Charles George and Bronze Star Recipient Reuben Taylor. George threw himself on a hand grenade in the Korean War to save his fellow soldiers and Taylor fought in World War II battles including the “Battle of the Bulge” and the invasion of Holland known as “Operation Market Garden.”

    Ripley’s Entertainment will be debuting a new attraction, “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds,” a modified Delta 88 with a psychedelic design honoring the Beatles. The creation is the work of Houston School System art students under the direction of   Rebecca Bass. Myriad references to Beatles lyrics envelope the car's interior, façade, and often poke into the space surrounding the vehicle. Viewers can spot such manifestations from Beatles’ lyrics such as "Marmalade Skies," "I am the walrus, I am the egg man," and "Mother Superior jumping the gun." The car came from Ripley’s Believe It or Not in Orlando, Florida.

   Check out the parade route early to choose your best observation spot as some of the tens of thousands of spectators will start placing their folding chairs along the route as early as 7 a.m. on July 3.

  “This will be one of the most patriotic and colorful midnight parades that the City of Gatlinburg has ever produced,” said 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 two-day festival highlighting our armed services.”

   The River Raft Regatta, an unmanned floatable object river race, will begin at noon on July 4 at the Christ in the Smokies Bridge on River Road. Registration begins at 9 a.m. Games and prizes will be provided. Fireworks visible throughout downtown start at 10 p.m. that night.

   For more information about the 36th Annual 4th of July Midnight Parade or the River Raft Regatta, please call 800-56-VISIT (568-4748) or visit www.gatlinburg.com.

  Award winning country music artists Restless Heart will be the headliner at the 21st annual Patriot Festival Monday, July 4th at Patriot Park in Pigeon Forge.

  In a career that has spanned more than 20 years, Restless Heart has had 26 singles to make the Billboard Country Charts including six which reached #1. The band is best remembered for their hits "Wheels", "When She Cries", "A tender Lie", "I'll Still be Loving You", and many more.

Restless Heart headlines at the 21st annual Patriot Festival in Patriot Park 

 Opening acts include local talent Jimbo Whaley and Greenbrier, The Pigeon Forge Community Chorus, The Roys, Randy Montana, the Grand Majestic Theater's Military Tribute and The Return, a Beatles tribute band.

  The fun starts at noon with a free kids carnival and live entertainment begins at 1 p.m. Restless Heart takes the stage at 8:30. At 9:45 the night sky will light up with a dazzling fireworks display.

  The event is free. Food will be sold by non-profit agencies to raise funds for their organizations. Patrons are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets. For more information log on to the web site www.mypigeonforge.com.