The City of Whitwell is adding a new event to its community celebrations this summer with the announcement of its first-ever Fourth of July Parade.

According to information released by the city’s park director and the Whitwell Volunteer Fire Department, the parade will take place on Saturday, July 4, as part of America’s 250th birthday celebration. Participants will line up beginning at 3 p.m. CDT in the parking lot beside The Landing Zone Grill, with the parade scheduled to begin at 4 p.m. CDT.

Whitwell is perhaps best known across the region for its long-running Labor Day Parade, a community tradition that dates back to 1956 and draws large crowds each year. In more recent years, the city has also hosted Christmas parades on several occasions.

However, as far as can be determined, this appears to be the first organized Fourth of July parade held in Whitwell…at least in recent history.

While residents throughout the area are no strangers to patriotic celebrations — including neighborhood fireworks displays and the increasingly popular annual fireworks show at Raceway Convenience Store and Jimmy D’s Fireworks by store proprietor and self-proclaimed pyrotechnic Darin Rogers — the city’s newest event marks another step in expanding community activities and holiday traditions.

City officials are encouraging residents, businesses, churches, civic groups, and organizations to take part in the parade and celebrate Independence Day together in downtown Whitwell.

For anyone with questions or interested in participating that might be seeking more information, you’re encouraged to reach out the park director — you can contact Whitwell City Hall at 423-658-5151 or via the Whitwell City Park Facebook page.