Smoky Mountain Hiking

Gatlinburg will once again ring in America’s Indenpendence Day with the nations first 4th of July parade. Now in it’s 31st year, this parade will make its way down the parkway to the cheers of up to 100,000 visitors.

As soon as the street is closed, the parade route will come alive with pre-parade entertainers that will begin the excitement of what is to follow. Giant helium balloons will soar through the skyline of downtown Gatlinburg, from red, white, and blue Stars to Alphonso the dragon, Humpty Dumpty, and a giant patriotic Eagle and All-Star Train. More than 100 volunteers will be signed on to help the balloons navigate the streets of Gatlinburg, with more than 100 entries of all types scheduled to appear. National entries such as Schwann Foods and Red Baron Pizza will bring in their Blaine Kern-designed floats.

If you are in/around the Gatlinburg area for the 4th of July, be sure to take in this parade. It is a great event.

The next day, they will also have a River Raft Regatta, a race of unmanned vehicles that can include anything floatable except balls and plastic eggs.