The City of Elizabethton will be full of patriotic pride during the first week of July.
Elizabethton Parks and Recreation has been busy putting together some of the final touches for the City’s annual Independence Celebration, scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, July 4.
Department officials are encouraging the public to participate in the opening event for the day — a special patriotic march and parade that will start at the first block of downtown and end at Covered Bridge Park.
Kelly Kitchens, with Parks & Rec, said floats, bikes, and other items are available to take place in this year’s patriotic march through downtown and is open to all ages.
“We’ve been looking to expand the parade,” said David Nanney, interim Parks & Rec director. “We’ll be meeting around the city parking area near Dino’s Restaurant in downtown.”
No registration is required, according to Parks & Rec staff. Individuals wanting to participate in the parade are encouraged to meet at the parking lot before 11 a.m. to be part of the activity. Awards for the patriotic march and bike parade will be presented later in the afternoon.
Tuesday’s event will fully encompass all of the City of Elizabethton as activities shift down to Covered Bridge Park.
At the conclusion of the parade, around noon, a patriotic ceremony will be held at the park to honor servicemen and women that have served the country.
Nanney added the park will have different events available to the public, including patriotic march and bike parade awards, free watermelon, refreshments, inflatables, Dancer’s Dreams Performing Arts Academy’s Covered Bridge Cloggers and Angel Steps Praise dance teams.
Retroville and the Jerry Pierce Band will also be playing throughout the afternoon.
Amy Simmons, Miss Firecracker Pageant Director, added the annual  pageant will be going on once again for children of all ages. The event will take place at Covered Bridge Park at 2 p.m. and the entry fee is $10.
The categories for the event include:
• “Wee Miss Firecracker” – birth to 2 years old
• “Tiny Miss Firecracker” – 3 to 5 years old
• “Little Miss Firecracker” – 6 to 10 years old
• “Junior Miss Firecracker” – 11 to 15 years old
• “Senior Miss Firecracker – 16 years and older
Simmons added that five princesses will be crowned with one from each age division. Participants are encouraged to wear their patriotic best. Preregistration is encouraged but not required. For more information, contact Simmons at ddreams2000@aol.com or call (423) 547-6441.
Action at the Covered Bridge Park is scheduled to conclude at 4 p.m. but the public is encouraged to head on down to Joe O’Brien Field as the Elizabethton Twins will hold their annual God and Country Night sponsored by Borderview Christian. Following the Twins contest against the Princeton Rays, the annual July 4th fireworks show, sponsored by Snap-on Tools and Parks & Rec, will take place.
“Every year, this event just seems to grow even more and get a little better,” Nanney said. “We’re excited about all the activities available and we encourage people to come out and celebrate Independence Day.”