First 4th of July Parade in U.S.

[Santa Wally]

That's superb. I've been in the States and Canada this time of year and that just smacks of sensible. Excellent night I expect?

Yes, an excellent night. The upper 80's degree daytime temperature has cooled down after the sun sets. A comfortable evening by Midnight.

We first discovered Gatlinburg's "First 4th of July Parade" in 1997. We were returning form the Kiwanis International Convention held in Nashville TN. Coming back toward home in PA, we decided to stop in Gatlinburg and visit there and the Smoky Mountain National Park. It was July 2 when we arrived intending to spend one night. We checked out on July 3 and the desk clerk questioned us about not staying to see the FIRST 4TH OF JULY PARADE IN THE U.S. I said, "How can it be the first 4th of July Parade?" "It's the 4th of July on the same day everywhere in the U. S." His answer, "Because it starts at Midnight.

We stayed another night, and now we have been there 4 years in a row since we started working in Pigeon Forge for 3 months in the summer. We love the Pigeon Forge / Gatlinburg TN area.