Independence Day is just around the corner, and watching fireworks on the lake is one of our favorite July 4th traditions! Here’s a look at what’s going on in our area.

South Holston Lake

Lake View Dock

Fireworks start 30 minutes after dark on Tuesday, July 3. If it rains, the fireworks will be on Friday, July 6.

The best way to see the fireworks is by boat! Watching from out on the water is simply magical.

Just remember for safety to stay at least 50 yards from the barge where the fireworks are being set off. And drive slow! There will be a lot of boats on the lake.

Watauga Lake

Three different marinas have fireworks on Watauga Lake, all on different nights. A lot of people watch all three out on the water from their boats!

The marinas on Watauga Lake also have another July 4th tradition: an annual boat parade.

Lakeshore Resort & Marina

Fireworks begin at sundown on Wednesday, July 4 (approximately 9 p.m.)

Cove Ridge Marina

Fireworks will start at 9 p.m. on Friday, July 6.

Mallard Cove Marina

Fireworks will start at 9 p.m. on Saturday, July 7.

Folks usually arrive around dusk, and the water is packed with boats. The shore is also lined with people watching from around the marina; at Mallard Cove, community members without boats are invited to come and watch as well.

Watauga Lake Boat Parade

Boats start arriving at the dam at noon on July 4 to participate in the parade, which begins at 2 p.m. first the houseboats, then pontoons, then runabouts. All you have to do to participate is show up!

Boat owners decorate with patriotic themes and compete for prizes: $300 worth of gas (1st place), $200 worth of gas (2nd place), and $100 worth of gas (3rd place).

If the weather’s nice, there may be thousands of people sitting on the shoreline to watch, all the way from Rat Branch to Butler Bridge, where the parade ends.

Boaters who don’t want to participate in the parade can float nearby to watch.

Boone Lake

Boone Lake Marina

Fireworks begin after dark on Saturday, July 7.