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Patriot Park in Pigeon Forge

Big Name Country Music Star Set to Headline This Year’s Pigeon Forge Patriot Festival

On July 4th, Pigeon Forge will be decked out in red, white, and blue to celebrate the 31st annual Patriot Festival at Patriot Park! This yearly event is used to commemorate the birthday of our great nation. In addition to the normal festivities, this year’s event has a special surprise. Continue reading to find out what big name country star is set to headline the 2022 Pigeon Forge Patriot Festival:

Headline Entertainment

Every year, the festival has a headline music act, to go along with a number of other bands throughout the day. This year, country star Josh Turner will be the headline act! His free concert will begin at 8 P.M. Some of the other musical acts that will be hitting the stage include Liquid Velvet, a rock tribute band, and Swamp River Revival. Prior to the live music, the annual veterans tribute will be presented on the main stage at 5:30 P.M.

Other Activities at the Festival

outdoor microphone on standIn addition to listening to live music throughout the day, there are plenty of other family activities at the Pigeon Forge Patriot Festival. Beginning at 4:00, your family can enter the festival to enjoy all types of fun, including plenty of activities for the kids. There will be a variety of food vendors set up around the park, so be sure to grab some dinner before the show starts. All the money raised from the event goes to support local charities around the Smokies! Be sure to bring your blanket and lawn chairs to set up around the stage to take in the veterans tribute and the live music. After Josh Turner finishes his set, there will be a firework show that will begin around 9:45 P.M.

Location and Parking

The Patriot Festival takes place every year at Patriot Park in Pigeon Forge. The park is located right along The Old Mill Square. There will be free parking for the event at the Teaster Lane Municipal parking lot, and a free shuttle every 20 minutes that will transport you to the festival and back to your vehicle. If you want to show up early, be sure to take a walk through Patriot Park, where you will see flags from all 50 states and memorials to veterans from all across the Smoky Mountains!

More Independence Day Celebrations

Fireworks in the sky In correlation with the Pigeon Forge Patriot Festival, Gatlinburg will be hosting their own firework extravaganza. Beginning at 11:00 P.M., fireworks will be launched from the Gatlinburg Space Needle, lighting up the night sky for miles! Gatlinburg Fireworks Finale has been designated by the Southeast Tourism Society as one of the top 20 events of the year. Because the fireworks are set off from the center point of the town, there is not a bad spot to catch the show.

If you want to celebrate Independence Day for a full 24 hours, be sure to catch the Fourth of July Midnight Parade in Gatlinburg. At 12:01 A.M. on July 4th, the parade steps off on the East Parkway and travels through town to Ski Mountain Road. If you want to experience the First Independence Day Parade in the Nation, you will want to show up on Sunday night to get a good seat! For a full day of Independence Day celebration, you can begin the early morning watching the parade in Gatlinburg before traveling to Pigeon Forge to watch Josh Turner and the rest of the musicians perform at Patriot Park!

Lodging for Independence Day Weekend

With Independence Day falling on a Monday, there is no better time to plan a weekend getaway in the Smokies. There are plenty of lodging options throughout the Smoky Mountains, from traditional hotel rooms to secluded cabins in the mountains. If you want to sleep among the beauty of nature, there are also numerous campgrounds throughout Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg. Browse through all the best places to stay in the Smoky Mountains for your trip to celebrate the birthday of our great country.

Now that you know how to celebrate 4th of July in the Smokies, be sure to check out some of the other Smoky Mountain attractions to visit during your trip! We look forward to celebrating Independence Day with you and your family!