Independence Day in Rutherford County includes firework shows and annual Rockvale picnic

Scott Broden and Helen Comer, Murfreesboro Daily News Journal
·2 min read

We the people of Rutherford County will have varying Independence Day celebrations to consider July 3 and 4.

The annual Smyrna festival for Independence Day will start at 5 p.m. Wednesday at Lee Victory Recreation Park, 110 Sam Ridley Parkway. The event includes food and drink venders, live music and inflatables. The fireworks show will start at dark.

Nora Gladden, held by her father Daniel Gladden, is dressed in her red, white anad blue and eyes a flag held by her mother during the Celebration Under the Stars at Fountains of Gateway, Monday, July 4, 2022.
Nora Gladden, held by her father Daniel Gladden, is dressed in her red, white anad blue and eyes a flag held by her mother during the Celebration Under the Stars at Fountains of Gateway, Monday, July 4, 2022.

Murfreesboro's "Celebration Under The Stars" event will start at 4:30 p.m. Thursday at the Fountains at Gateway, 1500 Medical Center Parkway. The first three hours of the event organized by the Murfreesboro Parks and Recreation Department includes food trucks, a splash pad and a DJ followed by live entertainment by Craig Campbell at 7:30 p.m. The fireworks show will start at 9 p.m.

The Murfreesboro event also for safety purposes will not be permitting pets, alcoholic beverages, cooking grills and personal fireworks or sparklers.

People enjoy Murfreesboro's "Celebration Under the Stars" annual Fourth of July fireworks show in 2022 at the Fountains at Gateway development
People enjoy Murfreesboro's "Celebration Under the Stars" annual Fourth of July fireworks show in 2022 at the Fountains at Gateway development

The La Vergne Independence Day celebration is scheduled on July 4 every year at Veterans Memorial Park, 115 Floyd Mayfield Drive. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. Thursday for the free event that includes fireworks, live music from Zone Status and other fun activities. Families are encouraged to bring blankets and lawn chairs and their own picnic dinners or enjoy food vendor options. The fireworks show will begin when it's dark.

Fireworks are allowed to be shot off within city limits of La Vergne from 9 a.m.-10 p.m. July 2 through July 5. On July 4, those times are extended to 11 p.m. Anyone wishing to report fireworks being discharged outside of the allotted times may contact the La Vergne Police Department at 615-793-7744.

Country singer and hit songwriter Craig Campbell will be featured as part of Puckett’s Songwriter Series, taking place this Saturday starting at 8:30 p.m. Campbell will be joined by fellow songwriter Adam Sanders.
Country singer and hit songwriter Craig Campbell will be featured as part of Puckett’s Songwriter Series, taking place this Saturday starting at 8:30 p.m. Campbell will be joined by fellow songwriter Adam Sanders.

Independence Day celebrations: July 4 celebrations abound in Rutherford County from fireworks to picnics

Rockvale celebrates July 4 with 'oldest annual celebrated picnic in the state of Tennessee'

The 97th annual July 4 Picnic organized by the Rockvale Ruritan Club will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday at the Rockvale Community Center, 9972 Rockvale Road, Rutherford County Commissioner Pettus Read announced during a June 24 meeting.

"This is the oldest celebrated annual picnic in the state of Tennessee," said Read, who represents the Rockvale community southwest of Murfreesboro.

Antonio Rodreguez eats some patriotic ice with matching colored sprinkles in an effort to stay cool during the Celebration Under the Stars at Fountains of Gateway, Monday, July 4, 2022.
Antonio Rodreguez eats some patriotic ice with matching colored sprinkles in an effort to stay cool during the Celebration Under the Stars at Fountains of Gateway, Monday, July 4, 2022.

Although the community center had significant tree damage from the May 8 storm, the Rockvale event will have tents and bouncy houses set up, Read said.

"There's lots of food for everybody," Read said.

Children play in the Splash Pad at the Fountain of Gateway during the Celebration Under the Stars event, Monday, July 4, 2022.
Children play in the Splash Pad at the Fountain of Gateway during the Celebration Under the Stars event, Monday, July 4, 2022.

The picnic will be offering fried pies, hamburgers, barbecue, Konia Ice, ice cream, cookies and soft drinks, according to the Rockvale Ruritan Club website.

The website also mentions the event including a hay ride, music, a corn hole tournament and off-site parking transportation.

Reach reporter Scott Broden with news tips or questions by emailing him at [email protected]. To support his work with The Daily News Journal, sign up for a digital subscription.

This article originally appeared on Murfreesboro Daily News Journal: Independence Day in Rutherford County includes firework shows

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