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The City of Elizabethton Parks and Recreation Department is excited to present the Independence Day Celebration on Thursday, July 4, at Covered Bridge Park, beginning at 4 p.m. The afternoon is filled with fun activities leading to a fireworks finale to close out the evening, sponsored by Tour Carter County and the Elizabethton Chamber.

Throughout the day, guests can enjoy food, dessert, snacks, and drinks from food trucks including Good Karma Kettle Corn, Fire Pizza, Side Show Station, the Cardinal Kitchen, Crave Hot Dogs & BBQ, Beba’s Rolling Meatball, Tin Can Diner, Appalachian Ice, Diggy Donuts, and Tweetsie Trailing Storefront located across from Covered Bridge Park.

The afternoon kicks off with the Patriotic Pedal, a patriotic bike contest inviting participants to decorate their bikes with Independence Day themes. Judging will take place at 4 p.m. at Covered Bridge Park, with awards given for the top three “Best in Show” bikes. Other non-motorized vehicles like tricycles, wagons, strollers, and scooters are welcome. Participation is free and no registration is required.

At 4:15 p.m., the Patriotic Pup Pageant will be held at the Covered Bridge Park Stage. Dogs dressed in patriotic attire can compete for top dog prizes. Registration is free and begins at 4 p.m.

Additional activities include free inflatables from 4-7 p.m., and Magic Mirror Skin Art will offer face paint purchases all day. The Elizabethton Chamber has purchased one free pre-determined patriotic face stamp per child. This offer can be redeemed at the Magic Mirror Skin Art tent.

The Annual Little Miss Firecracker Pageant will start at approximately 4:45 p.m., with trophies awarded in several age categories. Pre-registration is required, and applications are available at the Elizabethton Recreation Center or by calling Amy at Dancer’s Dreams Performing Arts Academy at (504) 392-9138.

Following the pageant, Dancer’s Dreams Performing Arts Academy will present special dance performances from various age groups in different styles.

The evening will continue with patriotic opening ceremonies, including the raising of the flag and patriotic tributes.

Spank! The 80’s, the ultimate 80’s party band, will perform at 7:30 p.m. for a free concert. This crowd favorite is not to be missed.

A special fireworks finale sponsored by Tour Carter County and the Elizabethton/Carter County Chamber of Commerce will close out the evening. Viewing areas will be around Covered Bridge Park and Downtown Elizabethton. Guests are encouraged to bring blankets or lawn chairs to enjoy the day’s festivities and the fireworks.

More than 1,000 free public parking spaces are available throughout the downtown area, with additional spaces nearby. For public parking maps, visit www.mainstreetelizabethton.com.

For more information and updates, visit Elizabethton.org under the Parks and Recreation tab and follow on Facebook @elizabethtonparksandrecreation. For inquiries, please contact the Elizabethton Parks and Recreation Department at 423-547-6441.