KYLE MURPHYStaff Writer

The countdown is on as the city of Tullahoma gets ready to celebrate the nation’s independence with the 2025 Tullahoma Independence Day Regional Celebration.

The gates will open at 4 p.m. Thursday, July 3, at Frazier McEwen Park and Grider Stadium, which will be filled with free music, games, food, vendors and the largest area fireworks show will start between 9 and 9:15 p.m. This year’s Tullahoma Independence Day Regional Celebration main sponsors are the city of Tullahoma, Michelob Ultra and Distributing L&H Companing, Inc. The event is also sponsored by Rogers Group, SmartBank, FirstBank, Minutemen Press, Tullahoma Utilities Authority, CASS-TN, Inc., Ascend Federal Credit Union, St. John Engineering, LLC, Vanderbilt Tullahoma-Harton Hospital and Tullahoma Parks and Recreation.

Leading up to the pyrotechnic power display two fan-favorite bands: Vinyl Radio, a 1970s and ‘80s music band, and Sixwire, the critically acclaimed house band for the Nashville Predators. Vinyl Radio, who has been performing at the celebration for the past five years, will take the stage from 5 – 7 p.m. and will be followed by Sixwire, who has been performing at the celebration for four years, from 7:30 – 10 p.m. to provide musical entertainment for those who attend, with the exception of a brief intermission for the city’s fireworks presentation. After the fireworks Sixwire will return to the stage to close out the night.

There will also be multiple vendors, games and other activities available throughout the event, and the fireworks show will take place at around 9 p.m. rain or shine.

The city’s fireworks will not be the only ones lighting up the sky as residents can make the stop at several fireworks tents within the city limits of Tullahoma. According to the city’s municipal code on fire protection and fireworks, fireworks can only be sold within Tullahoma from June 17 through July 9 for Independence Day, and from Dec. 21 through Jan. 5 for New Years’ celebrations. To pick up fireworks, visit any stand in Tullahoma. They are located in the Walmart parking lot, Forrest Gallery shopping center, Cherokee Square shopping center, King’s Buffet parking lot, Food Lion parking lot, Gondola’s parking lot and Mr. Fireworks at 3992 New Manchester Highway.

While residents can now purchase fireworks, they will only be able shoot them off for a short period of time. The Tullahoma Fire Department recently announced the permissible hours for fireworks for the holiday weekend. Per the fire department, permissible hours shall only be from 10 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. from July 1 through 3. The permissible hours for Wednesday, July 4, will be from 10 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.

Fireworks will be provided by Pyro Shows, a national pyrotechnics company based out in LaFollette that has presented shows around the world, including in Nashville, the Washington Mall and New York City. The company has put on around 1,000 pyro shows each year with 400 of those shows falling on the weeks before, during and after July 4.