This year festivals, events, and all-American activities are being enjoyed once more and all is starting to feel right again. Christmas celebrations can start with pictures with Santa, Memorial Day parades are back in place, and the fireworks of July 4th are once again lighting up the skies and we at Great Smoky Mountains Cabin Rentals have never been happier! Our little corner of the American landscape is a bastion of patriotism and love for our country, something you will discover for yourself when you make your way to our all-American towns in the Smoky Mountains this year. Fall in love with Gatlinburg and wish that you never had to leave Pigeon Forge as you spend the long weekend (or an ENTIRE WEEK) exploring everything in Pigeon Forge for the 4th of July. Then follow up all the festivities with comfort and rustic style in our beautiful cabins where all the comforts of home will be found. This guide to the Pigeon Forge 4th of July in the heart of the Great Smoky Mountains is filled with all the fun and excitement you need!
From the First Moments
July 4th is a really big deal in the heart of all Americans, celebrating the day we declared our independence and 246 years of beautiful freedom. Gatlinburg has been celebrating first every year since 1975 with the Gatlinburg Midnight Parade. Starting at 12:01 a.m. on the morning of July 4th, the festivities begin with a parade that has drawn tens of thousands of people from all over the world to our doorstep. Featuring patriotic floats, marching bands, and everything that makes a parade beloved by all who view it, our procession has become a really big deal, so be sure to plan ahead and arrive early enough to claim your spot in the crowd!
To the Final Hoorah
Gatlinburg’s Fireworks Finale fills the final moments of our favorite birthday celebration with all the color and excitement that is missing from your life the other 364 days of the year! Starting at 11 p.m., this 20-minute spectacular is a beautiful reminder of how lucky we all are to live here. The Gatlinburg Space Needle is where the party ends, with a crowd of people oohing, ahhing, and staring up into the night sky in moments to remember for years to come!
And all the Wonderful Moments in Between
Every hour of Pigeon Forge 4th of July is filled with as much fun and excitement as possible and the Gatlinburg River Raft Regatta is one more example of why you should spend your holiday with us. Starting at noon on the Little Pigeon River in downtown Gatlinburg, the vessels you see may not be quite what you were expecting. Instead of boats, the competitors in this race are little rubber duckies that visitors can rent for a chance to win prizes. Yes, this regatta is for the birds and if your rubber ducky wins 1st, 2nd, or 3rd in any of the categories (Treasure, Duck, and Most Creative) the trophy you receive will be a fantastic reminder of your fun-filled visit to Gatlinburg!
But Wait, There’s More
The town of Pigeon Forge wants in on this party and is offering more than a few events guaranteed to please, adding to the wow factor of your fabulous Fourth fiesta! The Patriot Festival in Patriot Park (of course) offers everything that makes Independence Day fun, including music, food, games, and a 9:50 p.m. fireworks show that will speak to your soul. Josh Turner will be performing some of your favorite hits while the group Liquid Velvet covers the songs that you know all the words to by heart. From 5 to 6:30 p.m., The Sounds of Soul in the Smokies is the feature attraction at Steven Best’s Smoky Mountain Theater, ensuring that this night will be one to remember.
Blissful Ending to the Holiday
Coming home to your Smoky Mountains vacation rentals promises to be the most comfortable highlight of a great day. Sleep in a little later after staying awake for the Gatlinburg Midnight Parade and start the day with a delicious breakfast (strawberry and blueberry pancakes topped with whipped cream is always a patriotic favorite) created in our fully equipped kitchen, and end the day with a soak in the hot tub on the deck before falling into a deep sleep filled with happy dreams in our bedroom retreat. Reserve your favorite escape today!