Fourth of July events in West Tennessee

I

ndependence Day, commonly known as the Fourth of July, is an annual Federal holiday in the United States commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, declaring independence from the Kingdom of Great Britain (now officially known as the United Kingdom).

Independence Day is commonly associated with fireworks, parades, barbecues, carnivals, fairs, picnics, concerts, baseball games, family reunions, and political speeches and ceremonies.

In addition to various other public and private events celebrating the history, government, and traditions of the United States, Independence Day is the National Day of the United States.

INVENTION OF FIREWORKS

Many people associate fireworks with Independence Day, but their original use was in New Year’s celebrations. Do you know how fireworks were invented? Legend tells of a Chinese cook who accidentally spilled saltpeter into a cooking fire, producing an interesting flame. Saltpeter, an ingredient in gunpowder, was sometimes used as a flavoring salt. The other gunpowder ingredients, charcoal and sulfur, also were common in early fires. Though the mixture burned with a pretty flame in a fire, it exploded if it was enclosed in a bamboo tube.

Beyond Gunpowder: Many fireworks are made in much the same way today as they were hundreds of years ago. However, some fireworks may include designer colors like salmon, pink, and aqua that weren’t available in the past.

Check out this list of upcoming events for the July 4th weekend. The list also includes a few pre-and-post July 4th activities, mostly in West Tennessee.

CELEBRATION

AT PRINGLES PARK

Today-July 3

Jackson

(731) 988-5299

The West Tenn Diamond Jaxx will play at home at Pringles Park. Today the ballgame will start at 7:05 p.m.

Friday’s game is at 7:05 p.m.

Saturday’s game is at 6:05 p.m.

Sunday’s game at 6:05 p.m.

Monday’s game at 7:05 p.m.

Tuesday, Wednesday and on July 3 at 7:05 p.m.

On July 3, there will be a fireworks show after the game.

THUNDER OVER PARIS, June 27

Presented by Mid-South Credit Bureau and Coca-Cola

Paris Country Club, 195 Country Club Road in Paris.

(731) 642-0591

Open to the public. Fireworks choreographed to music. Pulled pork BBQ dinner by award-winning cooking team — the Paris Ash Kickers. Live music by Sproul Heights. Kids Carnival and magician. Gates open at 5 p.m. Dinner from 5 to 9 p.m. Adult pool after party with Jennifer Fox and the Pillow Fighters. Tickets: $25 per person; six and under free.

Contact: Shelby Carpenter, manager of the Club, at (731) 642-0591 (ext. 1) for tickets. Like us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/Pariscountryclub for more information and updates.

June 28-July 4

Annual Kenton White Squirrel Festival

Events on July 4: 8 a.m. 5K Run registration at 7 a.m. 10:30 am Parade. Line-up is at 10 a.m. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.: Family and Friends Day. Vendors: arts and crafts, food, bouncers and much more. Possible corn hole competition at 1 p.m. Karaoke competition from 6 to 8 p.m. Fireworks at 9 p.m.

4th OF JULY WEEK CELEBRATION & FESTIVAL, June 29-July 4

Birdsong Resort & Marina

(731) 584-7880

Scenic Birdsong Creek. Bring your lawn chairs and enjoy the fun-filled days with barbecue cookouts, swimming, volleyball, Pearl of a Tour, karaoke and fireworks.

WINE DOWN, July 2

Crown Winery

Humboldt

(731) 784-8100

Matt Myers will perform with special guest Kernal Garner from 7-10 pm.

4th OF JULY CELEBRATION, July 2

Munford City Park,

Munford

(901) 837-4600

Family style picnic, music by the U.S. Navy Band, and fireworks display.

MUSIC ON THE SQUARE, July 2

Hardeman County Courthouse

Downtown Bolivar

(731) 658-6554

7 to 10 p.m, Hardeman County Courthouse (behind the Courthouse), Bolivar. Featured entertainment will be Busted Screen Door, playing from 8 to 10 p.m. Opening act from 7 to 7:50 p.m. is to be determined. Future shows to be held on Friday nights through Oct. 17.

FESTIVAL OF THE LAKES, July 3-4

Lexington

Festival of the Lakes features a BBQ Cook-off, kayak, canoe and cardboard boat race, a Beach Baby and Miss Festival of the Lakes Pageant. Motorcycle Dice Run Saturday beginning at 9 a.m. Live entertainment Saturday night from 5 to 10 p.m. and live entertainment on Sunday from 1 to 9 p.m. Lots of food and fun and a Fireworks Extravaganza Grand Finale at 9 p.m. on July 4.

2014 FESTIVAL OF THE LAKES SCHEDULE

8 a.m.: Great Outdoors Water Race, a kayak, canoe and paddle board competition

9 a.m.: Pageant registration begins (arrive 30 minutes prior to pageant to register)

10 a.m. to 3 p.m.: Beach Baby and Miss Festival of the Lakes Pageant

5 p.m.: Opening Ceremony

5 p.m.: Entertainment (live bands): Megan Jordan & Andy Avery and Nashville recording artist Matt Kennon.

At Dark: 30-minute Fireworks Extravaganza

For more information, call the Henderson County Chamber of Commerce at (731) 968-2126 or visit: www.hctn.org/tourism/festival.php

July 3-4

TENNESSEE SAFARI PARK, July 3-4

637 Conley Road

Alamo, TN

(901) 734-6005

Free admission to active duty military and veterans with valid ID card July 3-4. New additions to the Safari Park include a baby monkey, baby kangaroo, baby camel, and “Bambi” (Axis deer). The park features 400 animals and 60 speices. A two and one half mile safari trip feeding the animals from the comfort of your car. Then you may go to the walk thru or petting zoo and get up close and personal with other animals to include hand feeding an 18 ½ foot giraffe. A gift shop and an air conditioned picnic area that will accommodate approx. 100. Kiddie rides.

July 4-6

ALL AMERICAN OPEN HOUSE

CASEY JONES VILLAGE, July 4-6

668-1223

Old Country Store: Open House including introduction of the all new Old Country Store, new buffet selections, Dixie Café, The Village Baker, specials.

Casey Jones Home & Railroad Museum includes weekend activities and $3 admission prices. A Director’s Reception in honor of Jimmy Bailey will be held on Sunday, June 6 from 2 to 5 p.m. with free admission June 6 from 2 to 7 p.m. Story Time with Miss Judy on Sunday afternoon and door prizes and drawings each day of the open house. The Antique, Junk & Yard Sale: throughout the weekend next to Casey Jones Mini-Golf. Providence House: free tours of this 1837 antebellum home on July 5 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and July 6 from 2 to 4 p.m. The Village Chapel: Tours Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Casey Jones Mini-Golf: July 4th hours: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on July 4 and 5 and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on July 6. Tours of the Judge Milton Brown railcar on Friday and Saturday from 8 am to 7 p.m. Art in the Village gallery open during weekend with a drawing each day. Indigenous Outreach International, the Christian missionary organization, located in the Shops, will offer a door prize drawing for their guests. www.facebook.com/oldcountrystore

MEDINA 4th of JULY FIREWORKS, July 4

Medina City Park

Fireworks at dusk

(731) 783-3913

MCKENZIE FREEDOM FESTIVAL, July 4

McKenzie,TN

(731) 352-2292

A hometown celebration complete with flag waving parade, patriotic entertainment, music, historic characters, homemade ice cream contest (public chooses the winners), great food, crafts and spectacular fireworks.

ANNUAL 4th of JULY FIREWORKS AT PICKWICK, July 4

Pickwick Landing State Resort Park

Hwy. 57

Pickwick Dam, TN

(731) 925-8181

Annual fireworks display. No admission. Donations requested.

SAVANNAH BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL, July 4-5

Wayne Jerrolds Park

Savannah

(800) 552-3866

Beginning at 6 p.m. on Friday and 3 p.m. on Saturday, 17 bands will offer the finest bluegrass music in the Mid-South on the banks of the beautiful Tennessee River.

Saturday’s show will include a Buck Dancing contest. Bring your lawn chairs. Concessions available, admission.

SUMMER IN THE PARK, July 4

Paris Landing State Park

Paris

(800) 250-8614 or (731) 642-4311

Michael S. Williams will perform with a country music band prior to the fireworks. Restaurant buffet open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. serving BBQ Bash.

Fireworks Display at “dark thirty” (9 or 9:30 p.m., weather permitting). Open amphitheatre in the open day use area in Paris Landing Park. May arrive by water or by land. Several boats pull up to the side to view the fireworks display. 5-10,000 people expected.

FIREWORKS AT PICKWICK LANDING STATE PARK, July 4

Hosted by the Hardin County Convention & Visitors Bureau.

If you’re on or around the park for the show, tune your radio to WKWX 93.5 FM to watch and listen to the show set to music. Call, (731) 925-8181, for more information.

MEDINA FIREWORKS DISPLAY, July 4

Medina City Park

Fireworks at dusk

(731) 783-3913

HARDEMAN COUNTY FIREWORKS DISPLAYS

Toone, Silerton and Grand Junction:

The towns of Toone and Silerton will have a fireworks show on July 4 beginning shortly after dark at approximately 9 p.m. The Toone Fire and Police Dept. Fireworks Show will be held Friday, July 4 in front of Toone Baptist Church. Activities include live music by the Wolf River Band at 6 p.m., an Air Show, and fireworks starting at dark. Concessions will be available.

Silerton Fireworks: Begins at 5 p.m. with a patriotic presention, the band begins at 6 pm and at dark the fireworks take place (the population swells from 118 to over 2000!)

Grand Junction Fireworks: The Todd Pulse Band starts at 7 p.m. with fireworks at dusk held in the City park. That afternoon, there will be vendors, music and children’s activites.

VOICE OF THE VINEYARD, July 5

Century Farm Winery

Jackson

1548 Lower Brownsville Road

(731) 424-7437

The Dirt Pilgrims will perform in the Vineyard from 7 to 10 p.m.

SHILOH NATIONAL MILITARY PARK, July 5

(731) 689-5696

Ranger-led tours and programs featuring topics such as “Drummer Boys of the Civil War, the “Battle in the Peach Orchard,” and “Musket Firing Demonstrations.

The programs being at 10 a.m. and continue through 4:30 p.m. A complete schedule will be available that morning at the park’s Visitor Center and on the park’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ShilohNMP.

SHILOH NATIONAL MILITARY PARK

Cannon Firing Demonstrations at 11 a.m., 1 p.m., and 2:30 p.m. on July 5. The Shiloh Cannon Crew will fire the park’s 6-pounder field piece, which was the most common gun used in the Battle of Shiloh.

Each program will last approximately 30 minutes and interpret the weapon, projectiles, and procedures Civil War artillery crews used to load and fire during the war.

Shiloh’s Visitor Center and bookstore will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. July 4-6. The award-winning park movie “Shiloh: Fiery Trial” will be shown in the Visitor Center every hour on the hour. The park, Visitor Center movie, and all of the events are free to the public. Rain or severe weather may cancel the programs.

Ranger led tours and programs. Visit Facebook page: Facebook.com/ShilohNMP

PAVILION GRAND OPENING AT GREEN ACRES RV RESORT, July 5

Green Acres RV Resort in Savannah

2 to 6 p.m.

Live music and an afternoon of family-friendly entertainment

(731) 926-1928

NATIONAL CATFISH DERBY, July 5

Weekly competition. Weigh in your biggest catfish daily through July 11 at The Historic Botel for a chance at the weekly cash prize.

(731) 925-8181

WEST TENNESSEE DELTA HERITAGE CENTER

Located on Music Highway, just off I-40 at Exit 56 (behind McDonald’s) in Brownsville.

Step inside to discover an array of brochures, maps and information about all of the exciting attractions in West Tennessee.

SIDEBAR QUOTE

“Ev’ry heart beats true ‘neath the Red, White and Blue.”—George M. Cohan