3 Can’t Miss July 4th Events in Gatlinburg
No one celebrates Independence Day like the city of Gatlinburg! If you’re going to be in the Smoky Mountain area for America’s birthday, you do not want to miss these three July 4th events in Gatlinburg. Read on to learn everything you need to know about all of the patriotic fun.
(See Related: Gatlinburg Farmers Market Kicks Off 2014 Season)
1. 4th of July Midnight Parade
The people of Gatlinburg are so excited about July 4th, they can’t even wait for the sun to come up! When the clock strikes midnight on the 4th, Gatlinburg will kick off the “First Independence Day Parade in the Nation.” Attracting over 100,000 spectators, this parade features live music, gorgeous floats, and appearances from every branch of the U.S. armed forces. This year’s special guest is retired Army Staff Sergeant Health Calhoun, a veteran of the Iraq war and Paralympic athlete.
The Gatlinburg July 4th parade will start at traffic light #1A on East Parkway. At traffic light #3, the parade will turn onto Parkway and continue until reaching traffic light #10 at Ski Mountain Road.
2. River Raft Regatta
The Gatlinburg July 4th River Raft Regatta is an extremely popular unmanned raft race on the Little Pigeon River. The
Regatta is open to both store bought and handmade rafts, awarding prizes to the top 3 finishers in both categories. There will also be an additional prize for the most creative raft, so go ahead and let your imagination run wild. Remember, you can build your raft out of virtually anything that floats!
If you plan on entering your raft in the Regatta, come to the Christ in the Smokies bridge on River Road at 10:00 a.m. to register your raft. The race will start at noon, and 
prizes will be given out in the plaza in front of Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies.
3. Gatlinburg Fireworks Finale
It wouldn’t be the 4th of July without fireworks! Gatlinburg will finish up its day long Independence Day celebration with an incredible fireworks display. The fireworks will be centred on traffic light #3, but you’ll be able to see the show from nearly anywhere downtown.
Alpine Chalet Rentals is just minutes away from all of these incredible July 4th events in Gatlinburg! Our cabins feature the very best amenities, including gorgeous mountain views, awesome game rooms, and swimming pool access. Check out our Gatlinburg Cabins page to find the perfect place to stay for your next Smoky Mountain vacation, or give us a call at 1-800-235-2661.
