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Fireworks, parades, pool parties and fish fries are all planned to celebrate Independence Day across Blount County.

In addition, several events are planned in adjoining counties.

If you're looking for a fireworks display in Blount County, head to Townsend. The town plans fireworks beginning at 9:45 p.m. Saturday.

Normally the big fireworks display in Blount County is Alcoa's Freedom Fest, but the city canceled it due to the economy.

Last year Townsend's event drew 2,000 to 3,000 spectators who lined both sides of East Lamar Alexander Parkway, said Townsend Volunteer Fire Department Chief Don Stallions.

"We're the only ones around here doing it. I expect a significantly larger crowd this year. My advice is to get there at least an hour early and bring a lawn chair to get a spot," Stallions said.

The 20-to-30-minute display will be set off between Highland Manor and Townsend Visitors Center. BankEast and the City of Townsend once again funded the fireworks, which will be set off by Townsend firefighters.

Don and Sandy Headrick, owner/operators of Highland Manor, put on the fireworks show in front of their inn for years, but last year the city and fire department stepped up. Now the event is a team effort.

The Headricks are arranging music for the festive occasion starting at 8:30 p.m. Tiffany Webb, who has performed at Dollywood, Southern Nights and Grand Majestic Theaters, will sing at 9:15.

"Our biggest concern is the traffic flow through the area," Townsend Police Chief Ronnie Suttles said. "Safety is a big concern. The spectators will be close to the road and the vehicles." The speed limit through Townsend is 45 miles per hour.

Springbrook Pool party

While there's no Freedom Fest at the Alcoa Duck Pond this year, Blount County Parks and Recreation is still hosting a Fourth of July Pool Party on Saturday at adjacent Springbrook Pool.

The family event will be held from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Regular admission fees will apply, and there will be special contests for jump or dive, T-shirt relay, watermelon eating, big splash and slide races. Fuller Light-N-Sound will be playing music from 5-8 p.m.

Greenback parade

The City of Greenback will have its annual parade at 1 p.m. Saturday. Line up and judging will begin at noon.

Enter between PPAW's and Greenback Community Center on Morganton Road into Greenback School grounds.

Rev. Doug and Fay Sager will be grand marshals.

The yearly fish fry benefit for Greenback Volunteer Rescue Squad, which has been going on since 1967, will be held from 2 to 7 p.m. Saturday in the basement of Greenback Community Center on Morganton Road.

The fish fry is a team effort of all 18 members of the squad and community volunteers, said Rescue Squad Capt. Roy Goddard. "Several churches in the community furnish us with desserts," he said. In addition, other community volunteers help during the actual dinner.

The price will be $10 for all you can eat fish, hush puppies, cole slaw, baked beans, dessert and drink. Cost for children 12 and under is $5.

Goddard said carry-out meals can be ordered by calling 607-8631.

Proceeds will go for the Rescue Squad.

Royal Oaks parade

Royal Oaks Golfing Community will host its 14th annual Fourth of July Parade Saturday for residents, family and friends.

The participants decorate golf carts, bicycles, wagons and various moving objects including cars, trucks and floats, then parade through the community and end up at the Event Center for refreshments, games and prizes.

This year's grand marshal will be Maryville Fire and Police Chief Tony Crisp. The parade will feature police, fire and rescue equipment as well as a K-9 demonstration in the Event Center parking lot. The Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts will also march along with other guests.

The parade starts at 10 a.m. and runs across Legends Way and back.

Smoky Mountain Harley Fourth

At Smoky Mountain Harley-Davidson, 1820 W. Lamar Alexander Parkway in Maryville, it's an "ILLConduct" kind of Fourth. Throughout the day, the ILLConduct team, one of the top riding teams in the world, will present stunts and tricks for the crowd. On hand will be motorcycle legend Jeff Schneider, the original founder of Harley Stunts. It's free to check out the shows; cost for the concert by the D.B. Bryant Band, which begins at 8 p.m., is $5. Call 977-1669 for more information.

Gatlinburg Midnight Parade

For the 34th consecutive year, Gatlinburg kicks off the nation's first Independence Day parade at 12 a.m. on Saturday. Close to 100,000 spectators are expected for a special tribute to the four branches of military service, among the many highlights.

In recognition of the 75th anniversary of the establishment of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the City of Gatlinburg will recreate the Sept. 2, 1940, presidential motorcade of Franklin D. Roosevelt as it traveled through Gatlinburg on its way to Newfound Gap.

Gatlinburg's popular River Raft Regatta takes place at noon on Saturday beginning at the Christus Gardens bridge on River Road and ending at the Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies bridge in downtown Gatlinburg. This unmanned river raft race will be hosted by the U.S. Navy and is open to anything floatable except balls and plastic eggs. In the past, families have entered boats made out of matchsticks, floating rocks, as well as little rubber ducks. Registration begins at 10 a.m., with the race beginning promptly at noon.

Then, just an hour after sundown, the Fourth's Grand Finale occurs on the streets of downtown Gatlinburg with a fireworks extravaganza visible all along the Parkway from Applebee's to the Sky Lift starting about 10 p.m.

Patriot Festival

The 19th annual Patriot Festival gets under way at 1 p.m. Saturday at Patriot Park in Pigeon Forge. Entertainers include a traveling majorette and drum corps from Virginia; the Pigeon Forge Community Chorus; local country artist Homer Hart; the cast of the musical "Swing Time," currently performing at Pigeon Forge's Grand Majestic Theater, performing a tribute to the armed forces; The Temptations Revue, performing Motown classics; up-and-coming country singer Sarah Darling; country star John Berry; the Classic Rock All Stars; and a fireworks show at 9:45 p.m.

Museum of Appalachia

In crisp dress uniforms and white gloves, the Tennessee Army National Guard Honor Guard will open the Museum of Appalachia's July 4th celebration in Norris at 10 a.m. with the presentation of the flag.

Then will be the spectacle of the ever-dramatic anvil shoot. Three times during the day, gunpowder is packed under the anvil and ignited. The anvil bursts from a cloud of smoke, sometimes catapulted as high as the treetops. The earth literally shakes, and the deafening boom, it is said, can be heard as far as 15 miles away.

This early form of fireworks has been re-enacted each July 4 for some 17 years at the museum.

The anvil shoot will take place at 10 a.m., noon and 3 p.m. Festivities run from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. with special music, demonstrations of pioneer skills, patriotic ceremonies and summertime fare.

The day will include a bell-ringing ceremony, symbolic raising of the Liberty Pole and music.

Special July 4 activities are included with regular admission at the Museum, which is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. July 4.

Knoxville Festival

The city of Knoxville will throw its annual Festival on the Fourth bash starting at 2 p.m. at World's Fair Park. A number of performers will offer free live music, including Appalachian band The Bearded, singer-songwriter Van Eaton and Friends, Western swing outfit The Lonesome Coyotes and country artist Matt Stillwell. Food vendors, family activities and an arts and crafts tent provided by the Knoxville Museum of Art will be on site as well.

Starting at 8 p.m., the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra will take over the South Lawn of World's Fair Park for its annual free Independence Day Concert, featuring patriotic tunes, classical favorites and fireworks to cap the entire event. The event concludes with "Stars and Stripes Forever" and a 20-minute fireworks display, which begins at 9:35 p.m.

'Rockin' the Docks'

The city of Lenoir City will once again hold its annual "Rockin' the Docks" on Saturday; the all-day festival will feature food vendors, a children's play area and live music. Food vendors start selling their wares at 1 p.m., and live music takes place starting at 3:30 p.m. Bands on the bill include Lost and Found, the RMS Band, Dishwater Blonde and the Super Dave 5. A fireworks show takes place at 10 p.m. Admission is free; the event takes place at The Cove at Lenoir City Park on Fort Loudoun Lake.