Patriotism will be on full display in Franklin and Highlands for this Independence Day, which is one year away from America’s semiquincentennial, or 250th anniversary. In fact, towns and cities all across the United States are already meeting about and planning events that will rival July 1976, when this country acknowledged the 200th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776.
Franklin’s 2025 Independence Day Parade & Celebration on Friday, July 4, will run from 10 a.m. to well past dark. Locals and visitors alike are invited to dress in their finest patriotic red, white, and blue attire (and your pets, too!), line up in Town Hall parking lot at 10:30 a.m., and at 11:00, proceed down Main Street, disbanding at First Citizens Bank. Entrants can walk, drive, or ride. Free cold watermelon and water will be served after the parade for as long as it lasts. Youngsters are invited to enter the Little Miss & Mr. Firecracker beginning at 11:30, along with a Patriotic Pet Contest for the best dressed pet. Free inflatables for kids, a water feature from Franklin Fire & Rescue, and food trucks and snacks are all part of the festivities. That is just a snapshot of what the day will hold.
July 4th Schedule (Franklin)
- 10 a.m. – Food court opens featuring BBQ, Kona Ice, lemonade, ice cream, sweet & salty concessions, and Franklin Fire & Rescue hot dogs.
- 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. – Free inflatables for kids
- 10:30 a.m. – Patriotic Parade lineup (Town Hall parking lot)
- 11 a.m. – Patriotic Parade
- 11:30 a.m. – Little Miss & Mr. Firecracker and Patriotic Pet Contest
- 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. – Water feature by Franklin Fire & Rescue on Phillips Street
Main Street, Iotla Street, and Phillips Street will be closed from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Vehicles on the streets after closures will not be able to be moved until the streets re-open. Many downtown merchants and restaurants will be open for business.
Fireworks
For the evening’s firework display, this year, the Town of Franklin has partnered with Macon County, the Macon County Fair Association, and Franklin Area Chamber of Commerce to present the return of “Fireworks in the Park.” Since the Covid era in 2020, fireworks have been shot from the Whitmire property within the city limits of Franklin and viewers scattered in parking lots across town for the display. This year, town and county officials decided to move the event back to the Macon County Recreation Park. Financial support was provided by Franklin Tourism Development Authority.
The fireworks display will be held at the Macon County Recreation Park with activities and food vendors beginning at 4 p.m. Some events include, axe-throwing, inflatables, tie-dying, live music, face-painting, and more. Registration begins at 3 p.m. for a cornhole tournament with cash prizes. Proceeds go to KIDS Place.
The all-aerial fireworks show will be produced again this year by Munerlyn Pyrotechnics and will be shot from the Macon County fairgrounds. Viewing is available from many locations outside the park as well. Fireworks will begin at approximately 9:30 p.m., or when dark enough to launch. This event is weather permitting, with a rain date of July 5.
Highlands
Up on Macon County’s plateau, in Highlands, is the town’s Independence Day Celebration and Fireworks, with a schedule of events that includes:
- 9 to 11 a.m. – Water rockets at Highlands Recreation Park at 600 N. 4th Street
- 11 a.m. – Free hotdog lunch at Highlands Recreation Park
- 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. – Field games at Highlands Recreation Park
- 12 p.m. – Visit from Mountain Area Medical Airlift at Highlands Recreation Park
- 1 p.m. – Ladder truck spray down at Highlands Recreation Park
- 2 p.m. – Duck Derby at the bridge at Mill Creek
- 6 to 8:30 p.m. – Outdoor Concert Series featuring “Diverse Groove” at Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park, Highlands
- 9:30 p.m. – Fireworks display in downtown Highlands
For more information, visit www.highlandschamber.org