There are lots of activities on tap around the area this weekend and on Monday to celebrate Independence Day.
Here is a recap of the schedules for some of the many events taking place.
Independence on the Frontier
This two day event will take place on Saturday, July 2, and Sunday, July 3, at Sycamore Shoals State Historic Area.
Saturday, July 2nd
•10 a.m. – Raising the Colours: Start the day off with a bang as the militia falls in for inspection and raises the flag with a patriotic ceremony.
• 10:30 a.m. – “Fix Bayonets”: Join Colonel Chad Bogart in the fort and learn about the uses and tactics of the bayonet, one of the most feared weapons used in the Revolutionary War! Then cheer on the Militiamen as they test their skill and aim with this 18th century weapon.
• 11:30 a.m. – Colonial Era Music of East Tennessee: Join Corbin Hayslett in the Gathering Place Auditorium for a journey back in time to experience the musical sounds of the early Tennessee frontier.
• Noon – “Echoes of Revolution”: The Watauga Valley Fifes & Drums perform martial and field music of the Revolutionary War.
• 1 p.m. – Reading of the Declaration of Independence: Join in the excitement as the document declaring our freedom from Great Britain is read publicly inside Fort Watauga.
• 2 p.m. – Kids Liberty Lounge: All young people of the settlement are invited to enjoy some lemonade and light refreshments as Melody Daniels shares stories of children in the American Revolution. (Meet just outside the Fort’s East gate)
• 3 p.m. – Artillery Drill and Demonstration: Learn about 18th century artillery as the Militia fires the Fort’s Cannon.
• 3:30 p.m. – For King and Revenge: Loyalists in the American Revolution: Join Steven Knapp in the fort for an exploration of those that fought against American independence.
• 4 p.m. – Militia Drill & Retiring the Colours – The Washington County Militia demonstrates the tactics and firearms used during the Revolutionary War, and then retire the flag for the day. Camps Close to the Public: Join us tomorrow for another exciting day of 18th century living history.
Sunday, July 3rd
• 10 a.m. – Raising the Colours: Start the day off with a bang as the militia falls in for inspection and raises the flag with a patriotic ceremony.
• 11 a.m. – Worship Service: Join us for Sunday Service held inside Fort Watauga.
• 12:30 p.m. – For King and Revenge: Loyalists in the American Revolution: Join Steven in the fort for an exploration of those that fought against American independence.
• 1 p.m. – Kids Militia: Attention all able bodied kids! Fall in and drill with the Washington Co. Militia.
• 2 p.m. – Artillery Drill and Demonstration: Learn about 18th century artillery as the Militia fires the Fort’s Cannon.
• 3 p.m. – Militia Drill & Retiring the Colours: The Washington County Militia demonstrates the tactics and firearms used during the Revolutionary War, then lowers the flag for the day.
Roan Mountain State Park Independence
Day Celebration
A day full of family fun is in store at Roan Mountain State Park on Saturday, July 2, as the park host their annual Independence Day Celebration.
• 9:30 a.m. — Patriotic Bicycle Decorating at Picnic Shelter 3 next to the campground.
• 10 a.m. — Patriotic Bicycle Parade through the campground with a prize awarded for the best decorated bicycle.
• 10:30 a.m. —An Old-Fashioned Sack Race on the playing field next to the campground.
• 11 a.m. — American Flag Crafting: Children will get a chance to express their creative sides and create their own American Flag at Shelter 3.
• 11:30 a.m. — Cool off and have some fun with a Sponge Relay Race at the playing field.
• Noon — Enjoy a lemonade break at the Campground Store.
• 1 p.m. — Take careful aim during the Water Balloon Toss at the playing field.
• 1:30 p.m. — Be careful and don’t crack your shell during the Egg Relay on the playing field.
• 2 p.m. — Choose between a Checkers Tournament at the Campground Store or a Cornhole Tournament at the playing field.
• 3 p.m. — Prepare to pull with all your might or your team could end up dirty during this good, old-fashioned Mud Pit Tug-of-War.
• 4:30 p.m. — The fun moves to the Park Amphitheater for different variations on the age-old game of tag.
• 7:30 p.m. — Magic and mystery will fill the are at the Park Amphitheater as Mister Mystery takes the stage for his magic performance.
• 9 p.m. —Gather ‘round the campfire ring at the campground for stories, tall tales and, of course, s’mores.
City of Elizabethton Independence
Day Celebration
The city’s third annual Independence Day Celebration is scheduled to take place at Covered Bridge Park from noon to 4 p.m. on Monday, July 4, with a wide variety of events available to the public.
Events scheduled throughout the day include:
• A children’s Patriotic Bicycle Parade
• A performance by the Dancer’s Dreams Performing Arts Academy’s Covered Bridge Cloggers
• The Miss Firecracker Pageant, beginning at 2 p.m., with four different age groups: “Tiny Miss Firecracker” (three to five years old), “Little Miss Firecracker” (six to 10 years old), “Junior Miss Firecracker” (11 to 15 years old) and the “Senior Miss Firecracker” that goes from 16 years old and up.
• A performance by the Angel Steps Praise dance team.
• Musical performances by Jerry Pierce and Retroville bands.
Along with afternoon activities, citizens can expect a big bang at near the conclusion of the evening.
The Elizabethton Twins minor league team will hold its annual God and Country Night, sponsored by Borderview Christian Church, during the Twins and Bluefield Blue Jays contest, scheduled to begin at 7 p.m.
At the conclusion of the contest, Elizabethton’s fireworks show will be provided. The fireworks are sponsored by Snap-On Tools.
Watauga Lake
Boat Parade
The 16th annual Watauga Lake Boat Parade gets underway during the Fourth of July at 2 p.m. with a laundry list of boats taking part in the multi-year tradition. Boaters will begin the event from Watauga Dam and move through Shook Branch, the Captain’s Table, and Watauga Point, before ending the parade at the Butler Bridge.
Pepsi Independence
Day Celebration
Johnson City’s annual Independence Day Celebration will be held at Freedom Hall Civic Center on Monday, July 4, with activities kicking off at 5 p.m. and lasting until 11 p.m.
• 5 p.m. — craft and food vendors open up
• 5 – 5:45 p.m. — Brad Puckett takes the stage
• 6 – 6:45 p.m. — Jimbo Whaley & Greenbrier perform
• 7 – 7:45 p.m. — Austin Moody performs
• 8:15 – 9:15 p.m. — musical performance by the 2014 winner of The Voice Craig Wayne Boyd
• 9:55 – 10:15 p.m. — Fireworks Show with music broadcast on 98.6 WXBQ
• 10:20 – 11 p.m. —Austin Moody returns to the stage.