The City of Knoxville’s Festival on the 4th will be celebrating its third decade next week, while another younger tradition – the third annual Patriotic Bike Parade on Market Square – sets the mood, starting at 6 p.m. Thursday, June 26.
Participants will begin lining up for the parade at 6:15 p.m. on Union Avenue at Market Square. The parade will continue to Gay Street, to Magnolia Avenue, then to Williams and to Depot, before heading back to Gay Street. The parade then travels down Clinch Avenue to Market Street to Union Avenue.
Anticipate rolling road closures to accommodate the bike parade.
The Bike Parade has grown in size and popularity each year since originating at World’s Fair Park in 2012. This will be the first year that businesses will be competing in the Best Decorated Bike Contest, sponsored by the City’s Office of Special Events. Categories also include family, children ages 7-12, and children ages 6 and under.
Judging will begin at 6 p.m. on Market Square in front of the stage. Best Decorated Bike Contest registration and check-in starts at 5:30 p.m.
Market Street between Union and Clinch avenues will be closed from 5-7 p.m. Thursday, as will Union Avenue between Walnut and Gay streets. (Anticipate no-parking zones beginning at 4 p.m. Thursday.) Wall Avenue between Walnut and Gay streets will be closed from 4:30-7:30 p.m.
Local band Kelsey’s Woods will perform from 7-9 p.m. on Market Square following the parade.
In the mood for more July Fourth festivities? Eight days later, on Friday, July 4, the traditional Festival on the 4th will be presented at World’s Fair Park, from 4-10 p.m. The festival is commemorating its 30th anniversary.
For more information on the bike parade and Festival on the 4th celebration events, visit www.cityofKnoxville.org/4th.
