June 18, 2014 - What could be better than free Fourth of July fireworks in downtown Knoxville, with a wide variety of food and music, plus children's activities? How about adding a Thursday, June 26 Patriotic Bike Parade on Market Square?
The City of Knoxville's Festival on the 4th promises to once again be big and bold, with a variety of family-friendly fun.
The celebration kicks off with the Patriotic Bike Parade at 6:30 p.m. on June 26, beginning on Union Ave at Market Square, then heading on Gay Street to Magnolia Avenue and then back down Gay Street.
The City's Office of Special Events will be presenting the Best Decorated Bike Contest awards in four categories: business, family, child ages 7-12, and child ages 6 and under. Judging for the best decorated categories will begin at 6 p.m. on Market Square in front of the stage.
Businesses must pre-register by June 24 to be judged; families and children can pre-register or register on-site. Pre-register online at
https://patrioticbikeparade.wufoo.com/forms/city-of-knoxvilles-patriotic-bike-parade.
The Bike Parade schedule:
5:30 p.m. - Best Decorated Bike registration and check-in
6 p.m. - Contest judging begins on Market Square
6:15 p.m. - Begin lining up for parade on Union Avenue by Market Square
6:30 p.m. - Parade steps off
7-9 p.m. - Live performance by Kelsey's Woods on Market Square
Eight days later, on Friday, July 4, the traditional Festival on the 4th will be presented at World's Fair Park, from 4-10 p.m. "Throughout the day, this free City of Knoxville celebration promises to treat revelers who enjoy good music, good food, good fun and good times on the Festival and Performance lawns of the Worlds' Fair Park," said Judith Foltz, the City's Office of Special Events Director.
Regal's Kids Zone is sure to please kids of all ages. And the festival offers paddleboat rides and train rides on the "Freedom Express" around the park.
Be sure and catch the second annual Tug-of-War Contest between the Knoxville Police Department and the Knoxville Fire Department on the Festival Lawn at 5:45 p.m.
Starting at 4 p.m., The Coveralls will be performing on the Festival Lawn, followed by Brad Blackwell at 6:15 p.m.
The musical finale will be performed, starting at 8 p.m., by the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra. KSO's 30th Annual FREE Pilot Flying J Independence Day Concert will be offered on the World's Fair Park's Performance Lawn. The two-hour show features the KSO performing a mix of patriotic and Americana pieces. Conducted by KSO Musical Director Lucas Richman, this medley will be the perfect accompaniment to the fireworks spectacular.
Of course, the biggest draw for many will be the free fireworks show. The pyrotechnics start at 9:35 p.m.
Free parking is available on the World's Fair and Blackstock Parking Lots, as well as in the 11th Street, Locust Street, State Street and Market Square garages. ADA parking is available at the Fort Kid parking lot.
The festival will be held rain or shine. Pets are not allowed, nor is alcohol. Also prohibited are personal tents and tent canopies.
For more information, call the Office of Special Events at 865-215-4248.