For those not wishing to waste one minute of Independence Day celebrations, head to the Great Smoky Mountains on the evening of July 3rd for Gatlinburg's annual "Midnight Parade." Expecting to attract up to 100,000 spectators, the parade of patriotic floats begins at midnight and can be viewed all along the Parkway. Take along a lawn chair, a light throw and some American flags to wave. Visitors are, however, advised to get there early as roads will be closed at 11pm and there is sure to be a lot of traffic buildup. After sleeping off all the excitement of the parade, head down the following day to nearby Patriot Park, in Pigeon Forge, to their 'Annual Patriot Festival,' where you can enjoy free concerts, food and fireworks.

Starting at noon, there will be lots of activities for kids and great concerts during the day, which will include country singer Chris Janson, The Roys, Bluegrass band, Jimbo Whaley and the Greenbrier, and The Return, a Beatles tribute band, followed by a salute to our country's Armed Forces. Headlining the evening concert is country music superstar, John Anderson. Pigeon Forge spectacular firework display will begin at 10pm. Gatliburg will also host a fireworks display. For more information plus tips on avoiding traffic in Pigeon Forge go to www.insidepigeonforge.com.

Should the thought of sitting in traffic in the Smokies deter you, the city of Knoxville will be presenting "Festival on the 4th" at the Worlds' Fair Park. Festivities begin at 2pm with a Patriotic Bike Parade for ages 3-12, which will include wagons, strollers and wheelchairs. Throughout the day there will be music, food and lots of fun promised for the kids in the Regal's Star Spangled Kids Zone. The Knoxville Symphony Orchestra will perform a mix of patriotic and American pieces from 8pm to 10pm on the Worlds' Fair Park Performance Lawn stage. As the music plays, fireworks will light up the night skies in an array of colors. For more information go to www.cityofknoxville.org/events/4th.

American traditional and patriotic events continue through the month of July, starting in Ducktown, Tennessee with a "Miner's Homecoming" on the weekend of July 6th and 7th. Events include a pancake breakfast, a patriotic walking parade, Great American Rubber Duck Race, Soup and Bean Dinner, street dance, free admission to Ducktown Basin Museum, fireworks and much more. For more information call 423-496-5778.

The following weekend, on July 28, America's past can be relived by viewing pure Americana at its best at the "Main Street Cruise in Cleveland." Beautifully restored classic cars of the 50s', 60s' and 70s' will be on display in Cleveland's downtown area. For more information call 423-479-1000.

America is going through some tough, challenging times, just the way it did 236 years ago when the people of this great country came together and said, "enough is enough" and fought with all their might for Independence from British rule. And guess what? They won. Europe had their fair chance but lost. Now, surely that's worth celebrating!

Let us just hope that we and our future generations can keep that same true 'spirit of America' alive.

Happy Independence Day America.


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