The festive spirit of the Fourth of July is sweeping through Kingsport, with the Mack Riddle American Legion Independence Day Parade at the forefront of the celebrations. Slated for Friday, the parade is set to begin at 10 a.m., taking its procession down Center Street starting from Wateree Street and concluding at Memorial Park on Fort Henry Drive. As customary with such events, some inconvenience will be felt by drivers as road closures are enacted to facilitate the smooth passage of the parade.
Specifically, the following streets will succumb to closure: Center Street, stretching from Sullivan Street to Fort Henry Drive; Fort Henry Drive itself from Center Street to Eastman Road; and Wilcox Drive at Sevier Avenue. The detours for those usually traversing these areas will be directed to Sevier Avenue, and onto Watauga and Sullivan Streets. As reported by the City of Kingsport, all streets leading into Center Street along the parade route will also be closed as necessary.
But the parade is just an opening act to the broader Independence Day festivities. Following on its heels, the Red, White and Boom event is scheduled for Saturday, promising a day full of patriotic revelry. Main Street will feel the brunt of closures beginning at 8 a.m. on Saturday, transitioning to full blockade status by 1 p.m. This will precede an evening of entertainment starting at 5 p.m., highlighted by a fireworks display which promises to paint the night sky at approximately 9:45 p.m. Further details about the event can be gleaned from the city's official announcement.
Residents and visitors looking to participate in the celebrations or those simply navigating through Kingsport during these times should plan accordingly.
