Annual Independence Day Parade, Freedom Run approaching
Town staff and volunteers are readying for Farragut 35th Annual Independence Day Parade, set to begin at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, July 4.
After 34 years under the guidance of former Town Park & Recreation director Sue Stuhl, who retired earlier this year, this will be the first year under new Park & Rec director Ron Oestreich.
“My predecessor did an amazing job organizing this over the years,” he said. “All I have had to do is read over her notes and follow the project plan she developed.
“It really is like a well-oiled machine.”
Oestreich also credits the former and continued assistance from Public Works director Bud McKelvey and his staff.
“Bud is a wealth of information, and he and I have driven the route and parking lots in preparation of the parade,” he said. “He has been a great help.”
As this event “is one of our largest of the year, it is all hands on deck, between our full-time and part-time Park and Rec and Public Works employees, along with about 50 volunteers,” who will be working the event.
Oestreich said setup and staging will take place Monday, July 3, in the Farragut High School parking lot, then volunteers will be on hand starting around 6 to 6:30 a.m., July 4 “greeting people and helping get ready” for the parade itself.
As of Tuesday, June 20, “nine slots remained available” for those wishing to participate, said Wendy Smith, Town communications manager.
“I had been told on a non-election year, we typically have about 75 to 77 entrants, which is about where we are sitting right now,” Oestreich added.
Road Closures
Kingston Pike will be closed from Concord to Boring Road from 8:30 a.m. to approximately noon, according to organizers. Kingston Pike will reopen to Campbell Station Road approximately 15 minutes after the last parade participant has gone through the intersection, then Kingston Pike will fully reopen once all participants are off the road.
The following are parade detours: North side — Campbell Station Road to Grigsby Chapel Road to Smith Road to Kingston Pike (going west) or Campbell Station Road to Parkside Drive to Lovell Road (going east); South side – Concord Road to Turkey Creek Road to Virtue Road to Kingston Pike.
Route
The route begins in the FHS junior parking lot then proceeds down Lendon Welch Way to Kingston Pike. Floats and participants will head west down Kingston Pike then conclude at Boring Road, just east of Farragut Towne Square Shopping Center (former Ingles store site).
This year’s grand marshal is Eddie Courtney, Farragut High School football head coach.
For more information about the parade, call Farragut Parks & Recreation Department at 865-218-3376 or go to farragutparksandrec.org/parade.
Freedom Run
Fleet Feet Sports hosts the annual Farragut Freedom Run 1-Mile & 2-Mile races, which begin at 100 S. Campbell Station Road and finish in Farragut Towne Square Shopping Center (former Ingles store site) along Kingston Pike.
Register at runsignup.com/farragutfreedomrun.
South Campbell Station Road from Kingston Pike to Brooklawn Boulevard and Municipal Center Drive will be closed from 8:30 to 9:15 a.m. while the run takes place.
