July 4 celebrations abound in Rutherford County from fireworks to picnics

Kailee Shores, Murfreesboro Daily News Journal
Updated ·3 min read
Niki Bornot, left and Audrey Harrington, right, work to set up a firework stand off of Veterans parkway on Tuesday, June 27, 2023. Fireworks stands in the Murfreesboro city limits are allowed to open on Wednesday.
Niki Bornot, left and Audrey Harrington, right, work to set up a firework stand off of Veterans parkway on Tuesday, June 27, 2023. Fireworks stands in the Murfreesboro city limits are allowed to open on Wednesday.

If you are looking for somewhere to celebrate the upcoming Fourth of July holiday, Rutherford County has no shortage of family-friendly options or places to watch fireworks under the stars.

Murfreesboro annual Celebration Under the Stars

The 2023 Celebration Under the Stars event will be held at the Fountains at Gateway, 1500 Medical Center Parkway, on July 4. Live music by country artist Canaan Smith will begin at 7:30 p.m. and the fireworks display will begin around 9 p.m. Picnicking on the grounds is permitted. Admission to the event is free, but guests should plan to bring their own lawn chairs and blankets.

Personal fireworks, including sparklers, pets, alcoholic beverages and grills will not be permitted on the grounds.

Smyrna big booms and bash

The Smyrna Parks and Rec Independence Day Celebration at Lee Victory Recreation Park, 110 Sam Ridley Parkway E., will take place on Saturday, July 1 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Admission to the event is free. Festivities include live music, food, inflatables and train rides. The fireworks presentation will begin at dark.

If the event is rained out, it will take place on Sunday, July 2.

Chris Bornot removes boxes of different fireworks as he sets up a firework stand off of Veterans parkway on Tuesday, June 27, 2023. Fireworks stands in the Murfreesboro city limits are allowed to open on Wednesday.
Chris Bornot removes boxes of different fireworks as he sets up a firework stand off of Veterans parkway on Tuesday, June 27, 2023. Fireworks stands in the Murfreesboro city limits are allowed to open on Wednesday.

La Vergne celebrates July 4 at Memorial Park

The La Vergne Independence Day Celebration is scheduled for July 4 at Veterans Memorial Park, 115 Floyd Mayfield Drive. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. and festivities, including live music by the band Bueller, food and other activities will begin at 6 p.m. There will be several food vendors, but attendees are welcome to bring their own food as well as lawn chairs and picnic blankets. Admission to the event is free.

Personal fireworks, including sparklers, are not permitted on city property.

Rockvale residents to picnic on July 4

The 96th annual Rockvale Fourth of July Picnic is scheduled for July 4 again this year at the Rockvale Community Center, 9920 Rockvale Road.

The event will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.. Admission is free. Parking is off-site, but there will be transportation available. Festivities will include music, hayrides, a smash-a-car demolition, an adult corn-hole tournament and food.

Firework for sale at the fireworks stand on 6044 Lebanon Rd, near Walter Hill Elementary off of Hwy 231 on Monday, June 26, 2023.
Firework for sale at the fireworks stand on 6044 Lebanon Rd, near Walter Hill Elementary off of Hwy 231 on Monday, June 26, 2023.

Firework safety and stands in the area

When lighting consumer fireworks, keep these safety tips in mind, according to the state fire marshal:

  • Keep fireworks, including sparklers, out of children's reach.

  • Follow all warnings and instructions.

  • Keep a safe distance.

  • Pay attention to your surroundings.

  • Light fireworks on a flat surface away from any buildings or flammable materials.

  • Keep a bucket of water nearby.

For more information on consumer firework safety, see the Tennessee State Fire Marshal's recommendations.

Fireworks in 'Boro boundaries

Firework use is only permitted in Murfreesboro city limits on July 3, 4 and 5 from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.. For more information on consumer firework regulations in Murfreesboro, visit murfreesboro.tn.gov.

Fireworks stands in Murfreesboro

  • 6044 Lebanon Road

  • 2310 New Salem Highway

  • 2870 Old Ford Parkway

  • 2061 Lascassas Pike

  • 1817 Memorial Boulevard

  • 2962 S Rutherford Boulevard

  • 2000 Old Fort Parkway

  • 2012 Memorial Boulevard

  • 2449 Old Fort Parkway

  • 2325 Memorial Boulevard

  • 1660 Middle Tennessee Boulevard

  • 2050 Lascassas Pike

  • 2478 New Salem Highway

  • 4432 Veterans Parkway

  • 2946 S Church Street

La Vergne fireworks regulations

For the July 4 holiday, firework discharge is only permissible on July 2, 3, 4 and 5 from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.. For more information on consumer firework regulation in La Vergne, visit lavergne.tn.gov.

Fireworks stands in La Vergne

  • 101 Floyd Mayfield Drive

  • 3008 Nir Shreibman Boulevard

  • 122 Charter Place

  • 5016 Murfreesboro Road

  • 5511 Murfreesboro Road

  • 5145 Murfreesboro Road

Smyrna regulations

In Smyrna, firework discharge is permitted on July 3 from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., July 4 from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. and July 5 from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m..

Fireworks stands in Smyrna

An inflated gorilla gets the attention of passersby along Hwy 231 near Walter Hill Elementary School for a Firework stands outside of the city limits on Monday, June 26, 2023.
An inflated gorilla gets the attention of passersby along Hwy 231 near Walter Hill Elementary School for a Firework stands outside of the city limits on Monday, June 26, 2023.

  • 100 Bulldog Drive

  • 13179 Old Nashville Highway

  • 1960 Almaville Road

  • 8281 Tridon Drive

  • 570 Enon Springs Road

  • 415 Nissan Drive

  • 186 Delacey Lane

Kailee Shores is an intern for The Tennessean and Middle Tennessee Gannett publications.

This article originally appeared on Murfreesboro Daily News Journal: July 4 celebrations abound in Rutherford County from fireworks to picnics