The City of Kingsport is celebrating Independence Day on July 4 with the Mack Riddle American Legion Independence Day Parade. The parade begins at 10 a.m. and will go down Center Street from Wateree Street to Memorial Park on Fort Henry Drive.

In order to accommodate this event, several roads will be closed beginning the morning of July 4 and continuing until the conclusion of the parade.

• Center Street from Sullivan Street to Fort Henry Drive.
• Fort Henry Drive from Center Street to Eastman Road.
• Wilcox Drive will be closed at Sevier Avenue.

Detour routes will be available for drivers on Sevier Avenue and Watauga and Sullivan Streets. All streets leading into Center Street along the route will be closed as needed.

Other festivities taking place in celebration of Independence Day include the Red, White and Boom event on July 4 (Saturday). Main Street will be closed beginning at 8 a.m. on July 4 with hard blocks put in place by 1 p.m.

The festivities will begin at 5 p.m. and conclude with a fireworks display at approximately 9:45 p.m. For more information go to visitkingsport.com/redwhiteboom.

City of Kingsport offices will be closed on Friday, July 3^rd in observance of Independence Day.

The city will not be adjusting garbage or trash/yard waste routes due to the holiday. Both the garbage routes and the trash/yard waste routes will run on a normal schedule.

Kingsport’s demolition landfill (off Brookside Lane) and convenience center (on Industry Drive) will be open to the public on July 3 but closed on July 4. Both facilities will reopen on Monday, July 6.

For more information about Kingsport’s garbage and trash/yard waste routes, please visit www.kingsporttn.gov.

Government impacts your life every single day – from the crews who collect your garbage, to the first responders protecting the community, to the employees who oversee our parks and recreational facilities.

Understanding how and why the government does what it does not only makes you an informed resident, but also an overall better citizen.

The City of Kingsport is now accepting applications for its adult education program called Model City 101 – a free eight-week course that provides an overview of various city departments and services with the goal being to better educate the public on the government’s role within the community.

The weekly classes will run from September 3 through October 29 (excluding October 15), with graduation scheduled for November 3. Classes will take place from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. each day. A free dinner will be included at each class.

The program will include presentations and discussions by city officials, hands-on activities and Q&A sessions. Classes will meet at different locations throughout the city, and participants will hear from various departments, such as planning, transit, public works, parks and recreation and police and fire.

To apply for this year’s Model City 101 program, please visit https://bit.ly/ModelCity101 or www.kingsporttn.gov. The deadline to apply is July 27. Class size is limited and an application does not guarantee admittance. Only one person per household can apply.

The Kingsport Public Library is pleased to announce the return of the Lunchtime Live concert series.

Two great shows are scheduled to take place this July, showcasing the musical talents of local performers and the tasty treats of some well-known food trucks. This summer’s performers will be:

• Ron Short & the Possum Playboys at Allandale Mansion – July 10 at 12 p.m.
• Dave Eggar & Bristol Lightning at the Kingsport Farmers Market – July 17 at 11:30 a.m.

The Fowl Play Café food truck will be at both concerts; the Hot Dog Hut food truck will be at the July 17 concert.

The lunchtime concerts last approximately one hour and are free and open to the public. Simply bring a chair or blanket and enjoy lunch while listening to the music.

The concerts series is sponsored by Friends of the Kingsport Public Library. For more information visit www.kingsportlibrary.org or call the library at 423-224-2539.