Earlier this week, we announced the return of Pops on the River, Chattanooga’s beloved Fourth of July celebration, after being canceled in 2023 due to insufficient funding. Now, we’re breaking down the festival by the numbers and other booming facts.
Pops on the River has been taking place in Coolidge Park since 2000 and is overseen by Chattanooga Presents! — but how much does it cost to put on the City of Chattanooga’s main fireworks show?
According to Owner Carla Pritchard, this free event comes in at over $100,000. Through the years, the city has helped provide funding for the festival — for example, setting aside $40,000 in 2011 + $50,000 in 2013 and 2014 — but in 2023, the amount was lowered in order to fund other festivities.
This year, the festival will make its comeback with the help of funding from the city and county + major contributions from local law firm Warren & Griffin, P.C.
While event details can be found online, we’re highlighting some of the bigger need-to-knows for the big day on Wednesday, July 3.
Shows
- 4:30 p.m. | Kickoff with local party band Love, Peace & Happiness
- 7:30 p.m. | Patriotic program with the Chattanooga Symphony & Opera
- 9:30 p.m. | Fireworks display from Renaissance Park
Getting there
- River Street will close to vehicular traffic at 3:30 p.m.
- A free shuttle will take folks from 451 Lookout St. to the park from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. — pick up + drop off points will be at the Tremont and River Streets intersection.
- Event parking is $10.
Bonus: Stay tuned for more Fourth of July coverage in a future newsletter.
