The Town of Greeneville is looking forward to the 11th annual American Downtown celebration this weekend on Saturday, July 1st, at the Big Spring behind the Greeneville-Greene County Public Library, followed by the Andrew Johnson Bank parade down W. Summer and Main Streets, and an impressive fireworks show near Greeneville High School.
WEATHER DETAILS
This event will be held rain or shine. However, safety is of the utmost importance to organizers. According to local emergency management officials, Saturday’s forecast is calling for a high temperature near 90 degrees and the possibility of rain or thunderstorms.
With a possible heat index of 96 to 97 degrees, it is suggested to wear light-colored, loose-fitting clothing to the event and to drink plenty of cool water throughout. Seeking out shady areas when possible is also recommended.
In the case of severe storms, the event will be paused, and attendees will be directed to designated storm shelters. After potential severe weather passes, the event can begin again.
PARKING
Parking can be found at Walters State Community College, The First Baptist Church, Crowfoot Alley, Towne Square Shopping Center, and Greeneville Town Hall, as well as public parking behind Andrew Johnson Bank and other areas.
Handicapped parking will be available in the Walters State parking lot nearest to the Big Spring and at the Roby Center. These areas will be marked with signs and parking attendants will direct authorized vehicles.
Parking will be prohibited along the parade route of W. Summer Street from Towne Square Shopping Center to Main Street, and on Main Street from W. Summer to Tusculum Boulevard from midnight on Saturday morning until the end of the event on Saturday night.
ENTERTAINMENT AND ACTIVITIES
The event is scheduled to begin at 4 p.m. with the Greeneville Theatre Guild singing the National Anthem from the GFL Environmental Stage. The Tusculum University Community Band will perform classic favorites next. Josh Dean, local singer and songwriter, will showcase his talents on stage, then Zach McNabb & The Tennessee Esquires will entertain the crowd with traditional country music. Brownlow will bring the rock and blues vibe, and The Dimestore Cowboys will headline the event with a mix of rock, folk, and traditional country with attitude.
The Ballad Health kids’ zone with inflatables and Maggie’s Designs face painters and glitter tattoos will offer fun opportunities for children. The food court will feature great variety with Top Dog Hot Dog Stand, Creamy Cup ice cream, All Americano Coffee, Island Vibe Grill, Sno-Biz snow cones and lemonade, My Little Buddies concessions, and What the Fluff cotton candy.
At the State of Franklin Capitol building, members of the Appalachian Renaissance Faire of Tennessee will be 
performing throughout the day. Storytime with the ARFT fairies will be at 5 p.m. on the cabin steps. As another special treat, Greene County Partnership’s beloved tourism mascot, Banjo the Bear, will make an appearance at 6:30 p.m.
The infamous Top Dog Hot Dog Eating Contest will start at 7 p.m. near the State of Franklin Capitol building. This nostalgic event is sure to garner reactions from the crowd.
PARADE
The theme of the Andrew Johnson Bank Parade will be “Star-Spangled Greeneville.” Entries will be decked out in lights, stars, and red, white, and blue.
The parade route begins at Towne Square Shopping Center on Summer Street, launching at approximately 9:15 p.m. The parade will turn from W. Summer Street left onto Main Street and right onto Tusculum Boulevard, ending at Greeneville High School. When the final parade entry arrives at GHS, the fireworks show will launch at approximately 10 p.m. from the hill behind Burley Stadium.
Parking will not be allowed on the streets along the parade route from midnight Saturday on, but the route is
accessible by numerous other streets and parking lots along Main, Church, Summer, and Irish streets.
For safety reasons, the American Downtown parade route will be closed to through traffic from 8 p.m. on Saturday until the end of the fireworks show that night. The route will remain closed until completion of the fireworks show that launches at approximately 10 p.m. at GHS.
EVENT SHIRTS
American Downtown shirts will be for sale at the event. Adult sizes range from S-3XL in red, light blue, or steel blue at a cost of $20. Youth baseball style shirts with red sleeves or blue sleeves are available in sizes S-L at a cost of $15.
SPONSORS
Thanks to generous sponsors, there will be no admission charges for the celebration. GFL Environmental is the Entertainment Stage Sponsor at the Rocket Level. Andrew Johnson Bank is the Parade Sponsor and Ballad Health is the Kids’ Zone Sponsor, both at the Roman Candle Level. Fountain Level Sponsors include The General Morgan Inn, Greeneville Energy Authority – GLPS, Greeneville Federal Bank, John Deere Power Products, Inc., Meco Corporation, and TEVET. Sparkler Level Sponsors are Greeneville Flyboys as the official shirt sponsor, as well as Consumer Credit Union, Food City, and Premium Waters.
For more information on the event, visit the Town of Greeneville website at www.greenevilletn.gov, the Facebook event page called “American Downtown Greeneville,” or contact Christina Potts at [email protected] .
