Nashvillest

Let’s brag on Nashville for just a few minutes. AOL CityGuide’s “Booms with a View” ranked us second in the nation for the best Fourth of July firework shows and events. In 2005, we were also ranked in the top ten fireworks displays by the American Pyrotechnics Association. Basically, our Fourth of July celebrations are awesome.

We rounded up some activities for the Independence Day weekend, so you can spend less time figuring out what to do and more time enjoying the time off work. Win-win.

And a little Nashvillest tip from us to you? Stock up on the hard stuff today, because you won’t be able to run to the liquor store tomorrow. (We promise, we’re not alcoholics. We just like to write about booze.)

Music City July 4th
The no-brainer of the bunch, this is Nashville’s official celebration at Riverfront Park. The Kroger & Coca Cola Family Fun Zone will open at noon on the 4th, and the music will begin at 3 on the NowPlayingNashville.com stage. The main show begins at 7pm, and performers for the evening include Phil Vassar, Michael McDonald and the Nashville Symphony Orchestra. Fireworks are scheduled to begin at 9:25pm sharp, accompanied by an additional symphony performance. Leave your alcohol at home - it will be confiscated at the park if you try to bring it in.

Franklin on the Fourth
If you don’t feel like driving downtown (or dread the idea of trying to park your car), Williamson County’s Franklin on the Fourth celebration is every bit as great. The traditional Franklin street fair starts at 11am on Friday, with childrens’ activities on 4th Ave, live music, and street vendors. The fun even stretches through Saturday this year! Fireworks will begin around 9:30pm on Friday.

Music City Hot Chicken Festival
We’ve written about the upcoming Hot Chicken Festival before, but it’s finally arrived. From 12pm-3pm on Friday in East Park, enjoy free hot chicken samples from a handful of vendors. But be sure to arrive early - free chicken is only guaranteed for the first 500 people. It finishes early enough to give everyone time to recover before heading to their fireworks display of choice, which we definitely appreciate.

Sylvan Park Parade
9am-11am at the intersection of Charlotte Ave & 49th. Kids will parade at 9:30am, so if you’re not taking advantage of the day off to sleep in, take the kids out and let them ride their bikes in the parade.

Red, White and Bluegrass Night
Join Vince Gill and the Ryman TONIGHT (July 3) for their special 4th of July edition of Bluegrass Nights at the Ryman. Tickets are $25 and the show starts at 7:30pm.

Poets & Pirates Tour
Kenny Chesney, Leann Rimes, Keith Urban and more, all at the same show? Too good to be true for Nashville country fans. LP Field on Saturday, July 5 at 3:30pm.

Firecracker 5K
Early birds, head out to the Maryland Farms YMCA for this 7am 4th of July 5K.

Photo of Franklin fireworks by Brent and MariLynn.