Join us on Friday, July 3, and Saturday, July 4, to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the 40th anniversary of the Sewanee Fourth of July celebration, and the 100th anniversary of the founding of Sewanee Elementary School. We are grateful to celebrate these milestones together as one hometown with a legacy worth honoring. Volunteers are still needed to help with the parade, road marshals, mutt show, and children’s games.

Street Dance 

The celebration will begin at 5 p.m., Friday, July 3, in Angel Park, with food vendors and all-around family fun. The Street Dance will start at 7 p.m., featuring live music by Pink Houses. This event is sponsored by the Sewanee Business Alliance.

Sunrise Yoga

The Sewanee Community Center is hosting a Sunrise Yoga session at 6:45 a.m., July 4, in Manigault Park. The class is free and for any level of yoga ability. Please bring your own mat. The rain location is in Sewanee Community Center.

Doug’s Dash, Special 5K Race

The Sewanee Volunteer Fire Department invites the community to join in remembering Chief Doug Cameron for more than 50 years of dedicated service to the citizens of Sewanee and the surrounding area.

To celebrate Chief Cameron’s remarkable commitment and leadership, a special 5K race, Doug’s Dash, will be on July 4. The race will begin at 6:30 a.m., and will conclude approximately 30 minutes before the annual 8 a.m., flag raising ceremony in Abbo’s Alley.

For over five decades, Chief Cameron answered the call to serve, helping protect lives and property while strengthening the spirit of community that makes Sewanee special. This event is an opportunity for friends, family, neighbors, and visitors to come together and recognize his lasting impact.

Participants of all ages are encouraged to attend, whether running the full 5K, walking or simply coming out to support  the Sewanee Volunteer Fire Department. Check-in and registration is open at 6 a.m. at the old ticket booth by the football field. Registration fee is $30 for the 5K and $15 for the walk. All proceeds go to the Sewanee Volunteer Fire Department.

For additional information, please contact Lieutenant Forrest McBee at (931) 691-9447.

Flag Raising

Rise and shine on July 4 with local Scout Troops 14 and 141 at the 53rd annual Flag Raising. The  Flag Raising will be at 8 a.m., at the Juhan Bridge in Abbo’s Alley as in years past. Immediately following, a potluck breakfast will be at the shady front lawn of the Centennial House. Located at 49 Roarks Cove Road, the Centennial House is a University-owned property that is rentable for events. Ample parking is available at the house and nearby football field. Please use the Texas Avenue entrance and the Ticket Booth Garden to enter and exit the Alley.

Coffee and juice will be provided by the Friend’s of Abbo’s Alley (donations are encouraged). Attendees are asked to bring a pastry or other breakfast dish to share. Individually wrapped or portioned items are encouraged. For more information, call Margaret Beaumont Zucker at (931) 598-5214. This event is open to the community.

This year’s July Fourth Flag Raising in Abbo’s Alley is dedicated to the memory of Peter Smith, a long time Sewanee professor, in recognition of his 43 years as host of Sewanee’s Flag Raising Ceremony. Through Pete’s vision, enthusiasm, and steadfast commitment, a small neighborhood  flag raising evolved into a treasured Sewanee tradition. Pete and his wife, Karen, attended all but one ceremony over those 43 years, leaving a legacy of community spirit and patriotism that will long be remembered.

Monteagle-Sewanee Run/Walk

The 47th annual Monteagle-Sewanee Run/Walk is at 8 a.m., July 4. Run 6.4 miles to Shenanigans via the Mountain Goat Trail. Walkers may begin at the trailhead at Dollar General. Celebration and awards at Shenanigans. No registration fee to participate. No advance registration required.

Arts & Crafts Fair

Join us in Shoup Park starting at 9 a.m., July 4,  to find gifts for your friends and family or a treasure for yourself at the arts & crafts fair. Browse the booths for a wide variety of artisanal artifacts that just might be exactly what you were looking for. 

Cake Contest

Calling all cake bakers! It is time to put your cakes on display. Do you have a favorite cake recipe or a talent for cake decorating? Showcase your skills by entering your cake in the Sewanee Woman’s Club annual Cake Contest. Entering is free of charge.

The categories are Best Tasting, Best Decorated and Best Representation of Theme. Let your creativity shine with this year’s theme.

Adult winners of the Best Tasting, Best Decorated, and Best Representation of theme will receive a $25 gift card from the Piggly Wiggly, the Lemon Fair and the Frame Gallery.

Adult winners of the Best Tasting, Best Decorated, and Best Representation of the Theme will be entered in the Best All-Around Category. The winner of Best All-Around category will receive $100 courtesy of The Sewanee Mountain Messenger. The baker of the best all-around cake rides in a car in the parade wearing the famous winner’s hat. The second runner up of the  Best All-Around  Adult category will receive a one night standard stay courtesy of the Sewanee Inn.

Youth (under 13) winners will receive $10 from The Sewanee Mountain Messenger and a $10 gift certificate for a baked good at LUNCH.

Visit <sewanee4thofjuly.org> under Event Registration to download and print the registration form and bring it with you on July 4. Or you can register when you bring your cake to the Kennerly Hall between 9-9:45 a.m., on Saturday, July 4.

Almost World Famous Mutt Show 

Enter your favorite pooch in the 2026 Almost World Famous Mutt Show! All dogs are welcome to compete — no talent necessary. Please check the list of categories below.

You will need to register at the table in Manigault Park on the day of the event from 9–9:45 a.m.

The show begins at 10 a.m. Ribbons will be awarded for these canine categories: Best Dressed, Owner/Dog Look-Alike, Best Theme, Best Trick and Judges’ Choice. Entrants may register to compete in two categories. The registration fee is $5 per category, and all proceeds will go to the Fourth of July Fireworks. Audience members may contribute to Animal Harbor and MARC. In case of rain, the Almost World Famous Mutt Show will take place in the Equestrian Center. 

We are looking for volunteers to help with set-up, registration and doggie line-up. If you are interested, please contact Laura Beth Merrell at <lemerrel@sewanee.edu>.

Food Vendors

Vendors along University Avenue will begin selling food and drinks at 10 a.m., on Saturday, July 4, and at the fireworks. There will be food vendors during the July 3 Street Dance, starting at 5 p.m. 

Memories at the Sewanee Ball Park

Join us from 10:45 a.m. to 1:45 p.m., July 4,  for Memories at Sewanee Ball Park!

All coaches, players, parents, officials, workers, and scorekeepers are invited to bring your stories, pictures, uniforms, and any other memorabilia to place on display for everyone to enjoy. Share your memories, bring your gear, and come celebrate the moments that made Sewanee Ball Park special.

Stop by, have a hot dog, enjoy snacks and refreshments, and visit with old friends and fellow ballpark families.

Come reconnect, reminisce, and celebrate the history, friendships, and memories created at Sewanee Ball Park!

Children’s Games

Bring the kids to Sewanee’s Central Quad from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. to have some fun before the parade. Please bring money for tickets to play the games. Volunteers needed!

Breslin Tower Bells

At noon, July 4, the Sewanee Guild of Change-Ringers will perform at Breslin Tower.

Carillon Concert

There will be a Carillon Recital at 1 p.m., July 4. Bring a chair to All Saints’ Chapel to enjoy the music.

Parade

The parade starts at 2 p.m. Line-up begins at noon on Lake O’Donnell Road, judging begins at 1 p.m. Please enter Lake O’Donnell at the end closest to the airport. Bicycles are to be at Woody’s Bicycle Shop at 1:30 p.m., for judging. Registration is open on the website <http://www.sewanee4thofjuly.org;. Report to the Welcome Center beside the Sewanee Market to get your entry number and approximate line-up location. 

A float is not required for parade participation. Groups of individuals may walk in the parade if they wish. Registration is open on the website <sewanee4thofjuly.org>.

Parade Observers

We appreciate your help in making the parade safe and enjoyable for everyone.

Please do not park on University Avenue.

If you will be throwing candy, please be sure to throw it as close to the curb as you can. We want to keep our little ones as safe as possible by keeping them from running out into the road. It’s not an easy task, but we can try. If you have a horn or other type of loud noise, please turn it off when your entry reaches the EQB Monument. There are those who do not like to hear the sirens and they will be seated at or near the hospital. Due to insurance precautions, we will once again be asking that you sign a release form. And finally, if you will be riding a motorcycle or 4-wheeler, you will wear your helmet and be very cautious in your driving. Remember, there are children all along the parade route. Your help in this will be greatly appreciated.

Patriotic Celebration

The Sewanee Summer Music Festival is offering a free concert featuring the Cumberland Orchestra. The concert is at 7 p.m., Saturday, July 4, at Guerry Auditorium.

Fireworks & Food Truck Alley

There will be plenty of food vendors lined up along Breakfield Road, starting at 5 p.m., to feed your appetite while you wait for the fireworks to start. Visit the Munchie Map tab on <sewanee4thofjuly.org> to view all the food vendors that will be available. After dark, the Fireworks Show will be at Lake Cheston. There will be a suggested donation of $1 to contribute to next year’s fireworks. As in the past, this is a walking or biking event for most participants. Please plan accordingly to walk or bike to Lake Cheston. Parking at the Lake will be limited to disabled and special needs only. You will need to display your Disabled Driver Decal or Placard to be allowed to park at Lake Cheston.

The Sewanee Fourth of July is sponsored by the University of the South and the Sewanee Community Chest, with leadership from the Sewanee Fourth of July Committee. To volunteer or for more information, email <sewaneejuly4th@gmail.com>, or go to <sewanee4thofjuly.org>