Lisa Chamness, Director of Freedom Hall Civic Center, said the show will go on no matter the weather, just as it has since 1985.
“We do the fireworks rain or shine,” she said.
The complete schedule:
5-8:15 p.m. PARK & RIDE – Free Johnson City Transit bus service begins from East Tennessee State University (corner of State of Franklin and University Parkway) and Winged Deer Park Complex parking lots
5 p.m. Food service begins, craft booths open, children’s games start
NOTE: Only Authorized Food/Craft Vendors will be allowed
5:30-6 p.m.: WXBQ DJs
5-7 p.m.: On-site registration for a chance to win prizes:
— GRAND PRIZE — 2018 Chevrolet Sonic LS from Pepsi, presented by Food City, sponsored by Champion Chevrolet/Cadillac & WXBQ
— Anakeesta Super Pack Getaway
(4) tickets to Anakeesta (Tree canopy walk, Dueling Zipline, Tree house Village Playground, Gem mining, Mountain Coaster)
(1) night stay in cabin at Gatlinburg Falls Resort
— Pigeon Forge Super Package
(2) night stay Hearthside Cabins
(4) dinner passes to Bennetts BBQ
(4) Wonderworks passes
(4) Wilderness Water Park day passes
6-6:40 p.m.: Music by Jimbo Whaley and Greenbriar.
6:45-6:50 p.m.: Tribute to Gold Star families and disabled veterans, music by New Victory Church.
7-7:45 p.m.: Music by Brinley Addington.
8-8:10 p.m.: Color Guard, patriotic songs by Miss Food City Hannah Everhart, Pledge of Allegiance led by Miss Johnson City Morgan Munsey and Miss Historic Jonesborough Emma Brown.
8:15-9:15 p.m.: Music by Mo Pitney.
8:15 p.m.: Park and ride — last bus shuttle departs from ETSU and Winged Deer Park
9:20-9:35 p.m.: Prize drawings on stage
9:50 p.m.: Welcome by a Johnson City commissioner and WXBQ musical introduction for fireworks.
9:55-10:15 p.m.: Fireworks by Pyro Shows of Lafollette with live remote of event by WJHL-TV News Channel 11 with WXBQ 96.9 FM broadcasting fireworks music.
10:20 p.m.: Park and ride — free Johnson City Transit service begins returning patrons to parking areas at ETSU and Winged Deer Park
10:20-11 p.m.: Entertainment resumes on stage with Brinley Addington.
Please note:
• Charcoal grills or any other incendiary devices are prohibited.
• Alcoholic beverages are prohibited.
• Pets should remain at home for the safety of the animals and attendees.
• Coolers and lawn chairs will be allowed on the free Johnson City Transit buses.
• Only “service” animals will be allowed on the buses – no household pets.
• Lift-equipped buses for the handicapped will be available at both pick-up sites.
• Handicapped parking passes and instructions may be obtained by calling Freedom Hall no later than Tuesday, July 3 at 461-4884 weekdays from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
• Portable restroom facilities for the physically challenged will be located on-site.
• Patrons driving personal vehicles to Freedom Hall are encouraged to remember to leave all valuables (cellphones, laptops, money, jewelry, purses, wallets, CDs, shopping bags, etc.) at home.
• Any valuables left in personal vehicles should not be left in plain sight and vehicles should remain locked at all times.
• No thru vehicle traffic will be allowed at the Science Hill Vocational School; pedestrian traffic will be allowed access from the Vocational School Parking Lot I to the entertainment areas.
• Sections of Morningside Drive will be designated for JCT bus traffic only.
• No thru traffic will be allowed on Guaranda Drive, Longview Drive, North Gilmer Park, Lacy Street, Sells Street, Mullins Street, Belmeade Drive, and Baron Drive. Only those showing driver’s licenses with home addresses will be allowed access.
• Residents of these streets inviting guests to fireworks parties should provide police officers blocking the roads with a copy of their invitation list, all others will not be allowed access.
• Pedestrian traffic will be stopped on Guaranda Drive and Liberty Bell Boulevard at 8:45 p.m. and resume at 10:45 p.m.
• Following the fireworks, one-way traffic only will be allowed on Sundale Drive, Longview Drive and Guaranda Drive.
• Use the Knob Creek to State of Franklin connection to get between Bristol Highway, I-26 and Freedom Hall.
• When leaving the fireworks, use I-26 (rather than Kingsport and Bristol Highways), State of Franklin Road and Tenn. Highway 381.
• The Kermit Tipton Stadium will be closed all day on the Fourth of July. For more information, please call Parks & Recreation at 423-283-5815.
• The Freedom Hall Pool will be closed on the Fourth of July. For more information, please call Recreation Services at 423-434-5749.
• Ambulances will be located around the periphery of the Freedom Hall site.
• Emergency Medical Service personnel will be posted at the command post location near the Freedom Hall pool.
• EMS personnel on bicycles and golf car mini-med will circulate throughout the crowd.
• Johnson City Fire Department personnel will be able to travel into the crowd via specially equipped golf cars to deliver emergency medical and fire suppression services.
• Personal fireworks are prohbited by city ordinance.
