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Nashville Fourth of July 2022: What to know, who's playing, what to bring and more

Organizers are gearing up for the annual "Let Freedom Sing!" Music City July 4th event, which is expected to draw hundreds of thousands to downtown Nashville.

Last year, the event attracted a record-setting 350,000 people, according to the Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp. Another record crowd is expected this year.

From performances by Old Dominion and fireworks to family fun and other festivities, here's what you need to know about Nashville's 2022 Fourth of July celebration.

Who's playing?

The main event starts July 4 at 4 p.m. on the Jack Daniels Broadway Stage. Old Dominion will be joined by Gramps Morgan, Cassadee Pope and Levi Hummon on the main stage, located at 1st and Broadway. This year's event is presented by Dr. Pepper.

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After main stage acts, the Nashville Symphony will play at the Ascend Amphitheater,  accompanying fireworks, which are set to start at 9:29 p.m.

Old Dominion performs during CMA Fest at Nissan Stadium on June 12.
Old Dominion performs during CMA Fest at Nissan Stadium on June 12.

A total of 17 local Nashville acts will also play at the Broadway Stage and at Amazon Family Fun Zone on Sunday and Monday.

Sunday performances at the Amazon Family Fun Zone are scheduled to include Troubadour Blue, Craig Duncan & Friends, Les Kerr & The Bayou Band, The Woods, Jesse Labelle and Emily Earle, along with DJ Dave Audé.

On Monday, performances will include SanRafaelBand, Joe West Band, Jenny Tolman, Nick Howard and Jeverson, along with DJ Rod Youree.

Middle Tennessee weather: Heat advisory in effect through Friday

Do I need a ticket?

All July 3-4 events are free of charge, including musical performances, fireworks and access to the Amazon Family Fun Zone. Vendors selling food and merchandise will also be set up, alongside other downtown Nashville businesses.

What time are the fireworks?

Fireworks light up the sky over Broadway during the Let Freedom Sing! Music City July 4th event in Nashville on July 4, 2021.
Fireworks light up the sky over Broadway during the Let Freedom Sing! Music City July 4th event in Nashville on July 4, 2021.

The fireworks will start at 9:29 p.m. on July 4 and run for roughly 30 minutes. They will be accompanied by a synchronized performance with the Nashville Symphony.

CMT will nationally broadcast part of the main stage concert and the full fireworks show on tape delay from 9 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. CT.

This year will mark Nashville's biggest and longest fireworks display yet, with 40,000 pounds of explosives and 200 miles of wire used.

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What's the best place to watch the fireworks?

Organizers recommend you watch the fireworks from the following locations:

  • Lower Broadway

  • Ascend Amphitheater

  • Korean War Veterans Memorial Bridge

  • Riverfront Park

  • The Green at Riverfront Park

  • Public Square Park

  • Music City Walk of Fame Park

The fireworks will also be livestreamed at visitmusiccity.com/july4th and shown on the big screen at Ascend Amphitheater.

What's included in the Amazon Family Fun Zone?

The Amazon Family Fun Zone will be set up at the Music City Walk of Fame Park, located at 4th Avenue South and Demonbreun Street. Free inflatables, games and other kid-friendly activities will be available on July 3 from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. and July 4 from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Fans gather on Broadway in downtown Nashville on July 4, 2021.
Fans gather on Broadway in downtown Nashville on July 4, 2021.

What's the schedule?

Music and festivities will kick off July 3-4 at noon and run through the evenings. Local acts will play throughout both days.

Main stage acts will kick off at 4 p.m. at the Broadway Stage, located at 1st and Broadway. Levi Hummon is set to start a 4:55 p.m., followed by Cassadee Pope at 5:40 p.m., Gramps Morgan at 6:45 p.m. and Old Dominion at 8:05 p.m.

The Nashville Symphony will perform in sync with the fireworks at 9:29 p.m. for roughly 30 minutes.

Organizers noted that all event times are subject to change. A full schedule can be found at visitmusiccity.com/july4th/schedule.

What to bring and what to leave at home

Attendees should also plan to walk through metal detectors and may be subject to wanding. Several first aid and information tents, water refill stations and misting stations will be scattered throughout the event grounds.

Organizers also urge people to stay hydrated, wear and reapply sunscreen as needed, and wear hats and sunglasses. Over-exposure to the heat and sun can cause sunburns, dehydration, heat exhaustion and heat stroke, among other medical conditions.

Fans cheer as Priscilla Block performs during the Let Freedom Sing! Music City July 4th event in Nashville on July 4, 2021.
Fans cheer as Priscilla Block performs during the Let Freedom Sing! Music City July 4th event in Nashville on July 4, 2021.

Permitted items include:

  • Collapsible chairs

  • Small handheld umbrellas (up to 36 inches)

  • Blankets and ground tarps (up to 6' x 8')

  • Bags measuring up to 16'' x 10 '' x 4''

  • Personal cameras

All chairs and umbrellas must be taken down and stored by 4 p.m. each day.

Here's a look at prohibited items and activities:

  • No coolers

  • No backpacks or luggage

  • No guns, knives, other weapons or dangerous devices of any kind

  • No outside alcoholic beverages. Only alcoholic beverages purchased from a designated official event vendor are allowed on site.

  • No illegal substances, drugs or drug paraphernalia

  • No fireworks

  • No laser pointers

  • No pets (except service animals)

  • No drones or other remote-controlled aerial or ground-based devices

  • No unauthorized vending, sales, sampling, solicitation or distribution of materials including handbills, flyers, stickers, beach balls, giveaways, etc. (event credentials required)

  • No wagons or pull-carts

  • No unauthorized personal transport devices, including bicycles, roller blades, skateboards, Segways, golf carts, mopeds, scooters, electric scooters (Bird, Lime, Spin, Lyft, JUMP, Gotcha, Bolt) or any personal motorized vehicles other than wheelchairs or ADA Devices (event credentials required)

  • No pedicabs or pedal taverns

  • No unauthorized amplification devices permitted, which disrupt event production, including handheld megaphones

  • No noisemakers (musical instruments, bullhorns, air horns, whistles, etc.)

  • No performances or demonstrations of any type outside of the Designated Freedom of Expression Zone

  • No pop-up tents

  • No beach or pole-style umbrellas

  • No inserting stakes, poles or any other objects into the ground, or use of ropes, cords, tape, etc. to reserve space

  • No hammocks or attaching anything to any park structures or trees

  • No audio recorders or video cameras

  • No camera stands, monopods, tripods, attachment sticks or selfie sticks

  • No pepper spray

  • No aerosol containers of any kind

  • No sealed containers of any kind

  • No throwing objects

  • No professional-grade radios or walkie-talkies

  • No large chains or spiked jewelry

  • No signs, flags on sticks or poles

  • No collapsible chairs in Ascend Amphitheater

  • Phone recording of concerts are illegal. No bootleg recording, streaming or reposting.

Know the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke

Do you know the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke? Here's what to look for, and what to do.
Do you know the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke? Here's what to look for, and what to do.

The Nashville Office of Emergency Management provided the following signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Keep in mind that children and older adults are especially vulnerable to the dire effects of heat.

Heat exhaustion symptoms include:

  • Dizziness

  • Thirst

  • Heavy sweating

  • Nausea

  • Weakness

If you or someone you know is showing signs if heat exhaustion, act fast and move to a cooler area, loosen clothing, sip cool water and seek medical help if symptoms do not improve.

Keep in mind that heat exhaustion can also lead to heat stroke.

Heat stroke symptoms include:

  • Confusion

  • Dizziness

  • Loss of consciousness

If you or someone you know is showing signs of heat stroke, call 911 immediately, move to a cooler area, loosen clothing and remove extra layers and cool with water or ice until help arrives.

Road closures

Tiffany Cocozza, left, and Alexis Cunzio, right, pose for a photo during the 2021 Let Freedom Sing! celebration July 4, 2021, in Nashville.
Tiffany Cocozza, left, and Alexis Cunzio, right, pose for a photo during the 2021 Let Freedom Sing! celebration July 4, 2021, in Nashville.

Road closures will vary throughout the week leading up to the celebration, alongside closures on July 3-4 in downtown Nashville along Lower Broadway and the Cumberland River.

Sections of Broadway and Korean Veterans Boulevard will be closed around downtown both days, along with several main roads that intersect them. The John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge and other areas near the fireworks display will be closed during the fireworks starting at 8 p.m. Monday.

The latest information can be found at visitmusiccity.com/july4th/road-closures.

Parking

July 4 parking options range from $15-$20 at the Metro Courthouse, Music City Center, downtown public library and Fifth and Broadway parking garages. Nissan Stadium is also offering $15 parking.

More downtown parking options can be found at parkitdowntown.com.

Information on rideshares, public transit, bike and scooter storage and more can be found at visitmusiccity.com/july4th/parking-transportation.

Find reporter Rachel Wegner at rawegner@tennessean.com or on Twitter @rachelannwegner.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: What to know about Nashville's downtown 4th of July bash