With the sightings of eagles around Mont Milner Lake, the Fourth of July Committee is proud to announce the theme for the 2023 Sewanee celebration: “Fly Like an Eagle!” The theme can encompass all things “eagle” — patriotism, freedom, independence, and anything and everything in between to celebrate our national bird.

We invite everyone to join us on Monday, July 3, and Tuesday, July 4, to commemorate the formation of the United States of America and celebrate with fun, food, family, and friends.

Start brainstorming your ideas for a celebration like no other with creative parade floats, imaginative cakes, and artistic costumes for you and your dogs. Visit our website <http://www.sewanee4thofjuly.org; to register for the parade, arts and crafts fair, and food truck vending. The schedule details will be coming soon.

Street Dance

The celebration will begin at 6 p.m., Monday, July 3 in Angel Park, with food vendors and all-around family fun. The Street Dance will start at 6 p.m. featuring live music by Twelve Against Nature, a Steely Dan cover band. This event is sponsored by the Sewanee Business Alliance.

Sunrise Yoga

The Sewanee Community Center is hosting a Sunrise Yoga session at 7 a.m. 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.

Annual Monteagle-Sewanee Run/Walk

The 44th Annual Monteagle-Sewanee Run/Walk is at 8 a.m., Tuesday, July 4. Run 6.4 miles to Shenanigans via the Mountain Goat Trail. Walkers may begin at the trailhead at the Dollar General. Celebration and awards at Shenanigans including T-shirts and trophies! There is a $25 fee; register online at the MSSA website or in the MSSA office by Tuesday, June 27, at 10:30 a.m. MSSA gate ticket required.

Flag Raising

Rise and shine on the Fourth of July with local Boy Scout Troop 14 at the 50th annual Flag Raising ceremony. This year the ceremony kicks off at 8 a.m. at Juhan Bridge in Abbo’s Alley with a pot-luck breakfast following in the shared driveway of the Smiths, Gardners, and Beaumont Zuckers. Come join us in this festive celebration and tradition of patriotic song, accompanied by the Sewanee Summer Music Festival Brass Quintet, flag raising, and fellowship. Coffee and juice will be provided by the Friends of Abbo’s Alley (donations 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.

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 — “Fly Like An Eagle.”

Adult winners of the Best Tasting, Best Decorated, and Best Representation of theme will receive gift cards from Mountain Outfitters, Piggly Wiggly and The Sewanee Inn.

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 and a $50 gift certificate from The Lemon Fair. The baker of the best all-around cake rides in their own car in the parade wearing the famous winner’s hat. And, thanks to Ken Taylor of Taylor’s Mercantile, the baker of the best all-around cake can display the beautiful first place ribbon in the parade.

Youth (under 13) winners will receive $10 from The Sewanee Mountain Messenger and a card for ice cream from The Blue Chair

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 American Legion between 9-9:45 a.m. on Tuesday, July 4. If you want to write a short description of the cake, please bring it with you and we will put it alongside your entry.

Winners will be announced at noon. If you have questions, please email <paulayeatman033@gmail.com>.

Almost World Famous Mutt Show

Enter your favorite pooch in the 2023 Fourth of July Mutt Show! All dogs are welcome to compete — no talent necessary.

The Mutt Show will begin in Manigault Park at 10 a.m.

You will need to register at the table in Manigault Park on the day of the event from 9 to 9:45 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 Mutt Show will take place in the Equestrian Center.

Arts & Crafts Fair

We invite you to participate in our Arts & Crafts Fair beginning at 9 a.m., Tuesday, July 4, in Shoup Park, where you can view the parade without leaving your booth, rain or shine. There is a $25 non-refundable fee and spaces are limited and pre-assigned, so sign up early. Go to <sewanee4thofjuly.org> under Event Registration for more information and for your entry form.

Come spend the day with us, sell your wares, and enjoy the parade and other fun activities.

Food Vendors

Vendors along University Avenue will begin selling food and drinks at 10 a.m., on Tuesday, July 4, and at the fireworks. There will be food vendors during the July 3 Street Dance. The Munchie Map is located on the website <http://www.sewanee4thofjuly.or...;. Come hungry.

Children’s Games

Children’s games are back! Bring the kids to Sewanee’s Central Quad from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. to have some fun before the parade.

Tower Bells

At noon, The University of the South Guild of Change-Ringers will perform at Breslin Tower.

Carillon Concert

Raymond Gotko and Joseph Wehmeyer will perform a Carillon Recital at 1 p.m. 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 Bike Shop at 1:30 p.m. for judging. Registration is open on the website <http://www.sewanee4thofjuly.or...;.

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. Also, 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 Sewanee Festival Band. The concert is at 7 p.m., Tuesday, July 4, at Guerry Auditorium.

Aerial Demonstration

Weather permitting, the aerial demonstration will take place after the parade at the Sewanee Airport.

Airplane Rides

Weather permitting, airplane rides will be available for adults and children after the parade until 5:15 pm at the Sewanee Airport. Parents must be present to give written permission for children ages 16 and under to ride. A $30 donation per passenger is requested.

Fireworks Blowout & Food Truck Alley

There will be plenty of food vendors lined up along Breakfield Road, 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.