For the 33rd consecutive year, Gatlinburg will kick off America’s Independence Day celebration with the nation’s first parade, which leads off at 12 a.m. on July 4.  More than 100,000 spectators are expected to attend this special patriotic celebration that will feature a special tribute to the US military.

Gatlinburg’s popular River Raft Regatta also takes place at noon on July 4, beginning at the River Terrace bridge on River Road and ending at Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies bridge in downtown Gatlinburg. This unmanned river raft race is hosted by the United States Navy and 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 begins at 10 a.m., with the race beginning promptly at noon.

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.

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