There's nothing quite like a traditional Independence Day celebration. Small towns are great places to find old-fashioned fun, food and fireworks on the Fourth of July. You can enjoy parades, barbecues and other July 4th events all over the U.S. Here are some of our particular favorites.
Independence, California
What could be better than an Independence Day celebration in, well, Independence? If you enjoy small-town traditions, head to California’s Eastern Sierra area and drive north on Highway 395. Independence is 225 miles from Los Angeles and 245 miles from Reno. Normally a stopover point for vacationers heading to Mount Whitney, Mammoth Lakes and Death Valley, Independence pulls out all the stops for its July 4th celebration. The day starts with a flag ceremony and continues with all the things you’d expect at a down-home festival – parade, barbecue, fun run and pie. Lots of pie. Fireworks are launched from the local airport.
Bristol, Rhode Island
Bristol calls itself “the most patriotic town in America,” with good reason. This Rhode Island town boasts the nation’s oldest continuous Fourth of July celebration. Bristol is about half way between Providence and Newport, R. I., and is 65 miles from Boston. The town’s first Independence Day festivities took place in 1785. Today, Bristol’s two-day celebration includes concerts, a parade, a Drum and Bugle Corps International competition and, of course, fireworks.
Gatlinburg, Tennessee
Gatlinburg’s Fourth of July parade is certainly one of the most unusual small-town celebrations – it begins at 12:01 A.M., and it’s definitely not small. During the summer months, Gatlinburg is filled with vacationers and the streets are crowded, so the town decided to start its parade at midnight. That was 33 years ago, and the parade has become one of Gatlinburg’s most popular summer events. The parade kicks off not only the nation’s Independence Day celebrations but also an event-packed local celebration. The day’s festivities include a River Raft Regatta, featuring pretty much anything that floats except balls and plastic eggs, and a fireworks spectacular.
Sugar Grove, West Virginia
Tiny Sugar Grove, in West Virginia’s Pendleton County is best known for its pristine mountain scenery and quaint general store. If you’re in town over the Fourth of July, head over to the nearby Navy base, midway between Brandywine and Sugar Grove, for an all-American celebration. The day begins with a parade featuring fire trucks and lots and lots of kids on decorated bicycles. After the parade, head down to Hoops Field for kids’ games, bluegrass music and a talent show. Don’t miss the egg drop, in which brave participants try to catch raw eggs that are dropped from a cherry picker. At full dark, the sound of firecrackers echoes through the valley as fireworks light up the sky.
Tip: If you’d like to park on base, be sure to bring your vehicle registration and proof of insurance. All vehicles are subject to search.
