A variety of activities are on tap to celebrate America’s birthday this weekend. Miner’s Homecoming in Ducktown and fireworks in Copperhill lead the agenda, with special motor-car rail rides offered by Tri-State Model Railroaders.

Copperhill Fireworks

Thanks to fundraisers by the Tri-Cities Business Association and donations from the community and area business, the traditional fireworks from Tater Hill will continue. The program on Friday, July 3 will include music by the Copper Basin High School band at fireworks at “dark-thirty,” around 9:30.

Miners Homecoming

Activities begin Friday at the Ducktown Basin Museum Hoist House off Hwy. 68., with music by the Barker Brothers and hamburgers/hot dogs available from 4-7 p.m. From 7:30-9:30, there will be Gospel Music featuring Mandy Dixon, The Kaylor Family, Back to Bethany and Copper City Quartet.

Saturday begins at 7 a.m. with the traditional pancake breakfast at the Hoist House to benefit the museum. The meal is $5 for adults and $3 for children.

The popular Children’s Patriotic Walking Parade will begin at the Ducktown Courthouse on Main Street at 10:15 a.m. Spectators are discouraged as everyone is invited to march, ride, stroll, and wave the flag in honor of America. The parade ends at the Glenn Springs Holdings office with music and cookies.

The Eastern Star soup bean dinner will be from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. at the Ducktown Lodge 241 across from Mine City Baptist Church. The meal is $5 a plate.

From noon to 10 p.m., the Copper Basin High School Band will present Kids Alley with games and fun for youngsters, including bounce and obstacle course. There will be a small charge to benefit the band.

The Great American Rubber Duck Race begins at noon, sponsored by Ducktown Lodge 241.

The Miner’s Homecoming Pageant will be at 1 p.m. on the stage behind Glenn Springs/old Ducktown Bank building. Those who have not pre-registered may do so at noon. Patriotic wear. Contact Stacey Barnes, 423-241-9020 for more information.

High school reunions begin at 1 p.m. in the Copper Basin High School cafeteria. Ducktown High School annual reunion program will start at 1:30 p.m. Doors will open at 12:30.

There will be a Classic Car Cruise-In on Main Street beginning at 3 p.m.

Contemporary Gospel Music will begin on Main Street at 4 p.m. featuring Mine City Baptist Choir and Youth Drama Team and Coletown Baptist Choir.

Bluegrass music with the Raven Welch Bank begins at 6 p.m. and Rock & Roll with the C.C. Music Band begins at 8 p.m. Stage sound is provided by Tompkins Digital Studios.

Fireworks in Ducktown, sponsored by Cougar Fireworks will be at 10 p.m.

Funds to help with the music were provided by the Tennessee Overhill Heritage Association through a grant from the Tennessee Arts Commission.

Ride the Rails

Whatever you care to call them; speeders, hand cars, work cars or motor cars, they will be operating for public rides leaving from the city park in Blue Ridge, GA across from the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway Depot on Friday and Saturday, July 3rd and 4th. Through the cooperation of Blue Ridge Scenic Railway, Blue Ridge Motor Car Operators and Tri-State Model Railroaders, this will take place on the hour from 11 am through 6 pm Friday and from 9 am through 4 pm Saturday at $5 per seat for a 40 minute round trip ride. Tickets will be sold trackside on a first come-first served basis so check in early in the day. For further information contact Gordon Tuenge, President, TSMR at tsmri@yahoo.com or 706-455-8903.