It's time for star-spangled flags and the smell of burnt black powder in the air. It's time for the national anthem, fried chicken picnics and red-white-and-blue popsicles. It's time to celebrate Independence Day again, and the options for marking July 4 range wide and far this year.
Prefer to show your patriotism by shaking it at a dance party? The End can help you with that. Would you rather celebrate in the water? Head to Nashville Shores. If you want some serious pyrotechnics, stop by the Music City Hot Chicken Festival for a taste of a unique regional flavor, 100 percent Tennessean.
Then there's the showpiece celebration down at Riverfront Park, firework-heavy as ever and featuring Wynonna and many others this year. So, no matter what your style of partying is, there's something for you out there this weekend. Just remember one simple rule and you'll be fine: Light fuse, get away.
FRIDAY, JULY 3
Freedom Festival presented by RE/MAX Choice Properties: Entertainment includes the Brent Hughes Band and Young Town and The Garage Band Revival, plus a kids zone featuring inflatable jumps. Fireworks begin at 9 p.m. with music after. Proceeds benefit the Hendersonville Chamber Foundation. 4 p.m. at Drakes Creek Park, 130 Cherokee Road N., Hendersonville. Kids zone: $1 per ride or $10 per first armband, $5 each additional armband. Details: 822-0232.
Red, White and Zoo: Patriotic celebration for all ages including an all-you-can-eat cookout plus a pie-eating contest, inflatable bounce house and games. 11 a.m. at Nashville Zoo at Grassmere, 3777 Nolensville Road. Buffet from 11:30 a.m to 2:30 p.m. at the festival field. Games and activities included with zoo admission ($14 adults, $12 seniors, $9 ages 2-12); buffet $10. Details: 833-1534 or www.nashvillezoo.org.
Shores and Stripes Festival: A Fourth of July Celebration: Water park activities, fireworks and a beach concert by Burning Las Vegas. 5 p.m. at Nashville Shores Water Park, 4001 Bell Road; Hermitage, $20 per car. Details: 889-7050 or www.nashvilleshores.com.
SATURDAY, JULY 4
Boro Freedom Bash with The Last Straw: 6 p.m. at 527 Main St., 527 W. Main St.; Murfreesboro, cover TBA. Details: 890-8288.
Fireworks Celebration featuring The Kadillacs: 7 p.m. at Crockett Park, 1500 Volunteer Parkway; Brentwood, free admission; Eddy Arnold Amphitheater. Details: www.brentwood-tn.org.
Fourth of July Celebration: Inflatables, food court, live music, family games and a 20-minute fireworks display. 5 p.m. at Nolensville Park, 2310 Rocky Fork Road, Nolensville. Free admission. Details: 776-3633.
Fourth of July Dance Party with This Is Art, Mage The Blackheart, Dailon and Real Talk: 9 p.m. at The End, 2219 Elliston Place; $5. Details: 321-4457.
Fourth of July flag retirement: The public is invited to join the Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts of the Hermitage district in the retirement of any soiled, torn or tattered flag that they may want to respectively retire from service. Flags will be received by the Scouts and properly prepared for flag-retirement ceremonies that will be held on the hour and half-hours. For questions, contact Meg Hodge at 604-7463 or meghodge@comcast.net. 10 a.m. McKendree Village, 4343 Lebanon Road; Hermitage, Details: 872-8200.
Gaylord Springs Golf Links Independence Day Two-Man Scramble: To register, call 458-1730. For more information, visit www.gaylordsprings.com. 2 p.m. at Gaylord Springs Golf Links, 18 Springhouse Lane; $75 per person; includes 18 holes of golf, cart rental, sleeve of golf balls, lunch and prizes.
General Jackson Showboat Fourth of July Cruise: Watch the downtown fireworks show from the General Jackson Showboat. Guests may choose from two dining options and will be entertained by the new Country Music USA show. 7 p.m. at the General Jackson Showboat, 2812 Opryland Drive; adult tickets $86.25 and up; children's tickets $57.85 and up. Details: 458-3900; 800-733-6779, www.generaljackson.com.
In God We Trust: Local talent and artistry, historical re-enactments, riverfront fireworks, international food court and music by the Nashville Choir. 3 p.m. at Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park, 600 James Robertson Parkway; free admission. Details: 741-5280 or www.ingodwetrust2009.com.
Limelight Fourth of July: Indoor/outdoor event featuring DJs, fireworks viewing and the Jones World Experience. 4 p.m. at Limelight Nashville, 201 Woodland St.; $5, free ages 10-under; food $7 all-you-can-eat. Details: 780-3099 or www.limelightnashville.com.
Music City Hot Chicken Festival presented by Walmart: The first 500 festival goers will receive free samples from Prince's Hot Chicken Shack, 400 degrees, Bolton's Spicy Chicken and Fish and The Chicken Shack. A hot chicken cooking contest, children's activities and live music round out the day's festivities. 11 a.m. at East Park, 700 Woodland St.; free admission. Details: www.musiccity
hotchickenfestival.com.
Music City July 4th: Let Freedom Sing!: Fireworks extravaganza and concert featuring Wynonna, The Gabe Dixon Band, Nashville Symphony Orchestra, Barry Scott and Fisk Jubilee Singers. Activities include the free family fun zone featuring inflatables for all ages, and pre-show live music. Noon, Riverfront Park; free admission. Details: 862-8400 or www.visitmusiccity.com/visitors/
July4th.
The Pulse's Freedom Bash with Creech Holler, Evil Bebos, The Lavamen, Paradise Daze and AKA Rudie: 7 p.m. at The Boro Bar & Grill, 1211 Greenland Road; Murfreesboro; free admission. Details: 895-4800.
Shores and Stripes Boat Parade: Sailboats and powerboats will participate decked out in red, white and blue and other patriotic themes. 1 p.m. at Nashville Shores Water Park, 4001 Bell Road; Hermitage, included with regular admission of $24.95 plus tax for persons 48 inches or taller, $17.95 plus tax for persons shorter than 48 inches and ages 55+. Details: 889-7050 or www.nashvilleshores.com
Wynonna Autograph Signing Presented by CMT: 2 p.m. at Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum store, 222 Fifth Ave. S.; free admission. Details and autograph signing rules: 416-2096 or www.countrymusichalloffame.com.
