Festival on the 4th Begins a Week Early With Patriotic Bike Parade

Communications Director

Kristin Farley
[email protected]
(865) 215-2589

400 Main St., Room 691
Knoxville, TN 37902

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Festival on the 4th Begins a Week Early With Patriotic Bike Parade

Posted: 06/13/2013
Summertime always brings a slate of events and festivals, and few are as inviting as Festival on the 4th.

Sponsored by the City of Knoxville, the annual event features a wide range of festivities; and this year the festival will kick off a week early with the 2nd Annual Patriotic Bike Parade.

The bike parade will be held this evening, June 27th, on Market Square for all ages. The route will include a tour of historic downtown Knoxville. Participants are asked to meet at Market Square at 5 p.m., with the parade under way at 6 p.m. There will be a contest for the "Best Decorated Rider" and "Best Decorated Bike" in the children, adults and family participant categories.

The following week, the free festival will take place at World's Fair Park on the actual July 4th holiday beginning at 4 p.m. It will end with a fireworks show at 9:35 p.m. This year's festival will be presented by OneMain Financial and will feature activities such as face painting, children's inflatables and a competition between the Knoxville Fire Department and the Fraternal Order of Police.

The Regal Star-Spangled Kids Zone will host a free face-painting station as well as balloon fun and live entertainment performances by Elaine Graham with Balloonacy. EarthFare and Renewal by Anderson will be offering free hands-on activities, including healthy eating with snacks and art projects that children can take home.

At 8 p.m., the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra will begin its Pilot Independence Day Concert on the Performance Lawn at World's Fair Park. The two-hour show features the KSO performing a mix of patriotic and Americana pieces. Conducted by KSO Musical Director Lucas Richman, this medley will be the perfect accompaniment to the fireworks spectacular.

Festival on the Fourth will also have vendors selling an array of foods. There is free parking at World's Fair and Blackstock Parking Lots, 11th Street, Locust Street, and State Street and Market Square Garages. ADA Parking is available at Fort Kid Parking Lot. No pets or alcohol will be allowed; and tents or tent canopies are prohibited.