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Customer LoginGatlinburg's 4th of July Midnight Parade highlights Armed Forces
A celebration isn't a celebration without a parade, and a parade just isn't a parade without at least one band.
Therefore, for the 33rd consecutive year, the city of Gatlinburg will go all out to celebrate July 4th with its Fourth of July Midnight Parade, the nation's first celebratory parade of Independence Day.
The U.S. Army's 129th Marching Band from Nashville will lead the parade, which will focus on showcasing all four branches of the military not only in the parade, but throughout the weekend.
"All other units in the parade, including the Army support vehicles, will fall in behind the Army band as our grand marshals," said George Hawkins, director of special events for the city. "The band is our thank you to the military for participating in our parade, and for what they do for us. We are very excited about the entire weekend of events, which will include a four-day festival highlighting our armed services; this will be one of the most patriotic and colorful midnight parades the city of Gatlinburg has ever produced."
Also appearing in the parade is the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law with its Project SALUTE RV (Students And lawyers Assisting U.S. Troops Everywhere), which offers low-income veterans free legal assistance with their federal benefits, while giving hands-on experience to law students. The 31-foot RV will visit over 60 U.S. cities to help veterans.
Another military presence will be Tennessee Helping Hearts, a nonprofit organization that does all it can to help veterans. Riding that float will be a group of Gold Star Mothers, women whose son or daughter has died while on active duty with the military. Another float will showcase the Soldier's Quilt featuring 112 pictures of American soldiers.
Other events featured Friday are the Army Concert Band playing from 8 to 10 p.m. on the Aquarium Plaza and opening the city's fireworks show by playing "The Stars and Stripes Forever." And, at 10 a.m. Friday the River Raft Regatta, a free event for anything that floats, will begin.
Information courtesy of The Mountain Press
Therefore, for the 33rd consecutive year, the city of Gatlinburg will go all out to celebrate July 4th with its Fourth of July Midnight Parade, the nation's first celebratory parade of Independence Day.
The U.S. Army's 129th Marching Band from Nashville will lead the parade, which will focus on showcasing all four branches of the military not only in the parade, but throughout the weekend.
"All other units in the parade, including the Army support vehicles, will fall in behind the Army band as our grand marshals," said George Hawkins, director of special events for the city. "The band is our thank you to the military for participating in our parade, and for what they do for us. We are very excited about the entire weekend of events, which will include a four-day festival highlighting our armed services; this will be one of the most patriotic and colorful midnight parades the city of Gatlinburg has ever produced."
Also appearing in the parade is the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law with its Project SALUTE RV (Students And lawyers Assisting U.S. Troops Everywhere), which offers low-income veterans free legal assistance with their federal benefits, while giving hands-on experience to law students. The 31-foot RV will visit over 60 U.S. cities to help veterans.
Another military presence will be Tennessee Helping Hearts, a nonprofit organization that does all it can to help veterans. Riding that float will be a group of Gold Star Mothers, women whose son or daughter has died while on active duty with the military. Another float will showcase the Soldier's Quilt featuring 112 pictures of American soldiers.
Other events featured Friday are the Army Concert Band playing from 8 to 10 p.m. on the Aquarium Plaza and opening the city's fireworks show by playing "The Stars and Stripes Forever." And, at 10 a.m. Friday the River Raft Regatta, a free event for anything that floats, will begin.
Information courtesy of The Mountain Press
Labels: Gatlinburg_Special_Events
posted by Ashley at
6/30/2008 11:17:00 AM
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