Midnight parade

Gatlinburg
celebrates the 4th of July

The city of Gatlinburg will celebrate the Fourth of July Independence day holiday with the first parade in the nation held just after midnight the morning of the Fourth.
Scheduled to appear at the event, which will start at traffic light number one and run down Highway 321 all the way to traffic light number ten and Ski Mountain Road, are Grand Marshalls of the parade Louise Mandrell, and Coalition Force representatives.
Featured at the parade will be giant helium-filled balloons, marching bands, and patriotic floats.
Also scheduled for the early morning hours of the Fourth is the Firecracker 100 Kid’s Trout Rodeo, to run until eleven a.m. A trophy presentation for the winners will follow the event, and Ripley’s Aquarium will be cooking fish free for the kids during the rodeo.
A raft race is also planned, with prizes for the winners starting at Christus Garden Bridge and running to the Aquarium.