Nashville is gearing up for its annual Fourth Of July celebration downtown with a bevy of entertainers on tap for the day’s festivities. Along with headliner Chris Young, DJ Coach will kick off the live entertainment on the main stage, located at Fifth and Broadway, with Jason Eskridge performing the national anthem. The Sisterhood is set to perform at 5:30 p.m., Jonny P will perform at 6:15 p.m., the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band performs at 7 p.m., and Young will take the stage at 8:10 p.m.
The annual Let Freedom Sing! Music City July 4th presented by Dr Pepper Cherry is set up in a new layout this year, with the Nashville Symphony performing at Ascend Amphitheater. The new configuration will spread attendees over a larger area, allowing concertgoers to congregate closer to the Broadway Stage at Fifth and Broadway, while those attending for the fireworks show can find spots around Riverfront Park, The Green at Riverfront Park and Ascend Amphitheater. The pyrotechnics are synchronized to a live performance by the Nashville Symphony. The free, family-friendly event will include a Family Fun Zone at Music City Walk of Fame Park from noon to 4 p.m.
The celebration marks the third consecutive year Nashville will host the largest fireworks show in the country, featuring more than 35,000 pounds of explosives, and 150 miles of wire, with over 275,000 people expected to attend.
Those not wanting to hassle with parking downtown can use Lyft, the official ridesharing partner of Let Freedom Sing! 2017. Up to 1,000 users can enter code BUDAMERICA in the Lyft app under ‘Promos’ to claim a free ride home (up to $10), courtesy of Budweiser and Ajax Turner. Rideshare pickup and drop-off areas are located at Korean Veterans Boulevard from 5th Avenue to 7th Avenue and Deaderick Street from 3rd Avenue to 6th Avenue.
Backpacks, luggage and coolers are not permitted this year as a safety measure, but there will be reasonably priced hot dogs and bottles of water available.
About the Author
Hollabaugh, a staff writer at MusicRow magazine, has over 20 years of music business experience and has written for publications including American Profile, CMA Close Up, Nashville Arts And Entertainment, The Boot and Country Weekly. She has a Broadcast Journalism and Speech Communication degree from Texas Christian University, (go Horned Frogs), and welcomes your feedback or story ideas at lhollabaugh@musicrow.com.View Author Profile
