Pops on the river

CHATTANOOGA, TN (WDEF) – ArtsBuild announces that Pops on the River will take place on Independence Day, Saturday, July 4, in Coolidge Park, thanks to the support of the City of Chattanooga, along with sponsorship from Integrity Buick GMC Cadillac and Integrity Chevrolet. This popular community celebration will feature a FREE outdoor patriotic concert by the Chattanooga Symphony & Opera at Coolidge Park as well as a large firework finale over the Tennessee River.

This year the entertainment will start early with a special tribute to veterans, featuring veteran songwriters from Operation Song and two other local and Nashville bands beginning at 5:00 pm. Taking the stage at 5:00 will be the all-veteran hard rock band from Nashville called Ironglide. Following their set at 5:40, a few veteran songwriters participating in the pilot music therapy program called Operation Song will take the stage along with Grammy-winning songwriter Bob Regan. Then from 6:00-6:40 Chattanooga-based Mitch Rossell and his band will perform a country music set in honor of veterans. The veterans’ portion of the Pops on the River schedule is sponsored by SunTrust Bank. 

The fireworks display, shot from neighboring Renaissance Park, will begin immediately upon the conclusion of the symphony’s performance at approximately 9:45 pm.

Coolidge Park will be closing vehicular traffic at 4:30 PM on the day of the show. There will be free shuttle service running from Republic parking lots between 4th and 5th streets from 6-11 pm. The lots are pay-to-park lots. Shuttle pickup and drop off on the north side of the river will be near the Chattanooga Theatre Centre at the intersection of Tremont and River Streets.