Oak Ridge Today

Oak Ridge announces Independence Day concert, fireworks

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Image courtesy City of Oak Ridge

The City of Oak Ridge is sponsoring its annual fireworks show to celebrate Independence Day. The display will be held in Alvin K. Bissell Park on July 4, and it is scheduled to begin at dark, around 9:45 p.m.

The Oak Ridge Community Band will perform prior to the fireworks, a press release said. The concert is free, but donations are accepted by the band to help cover the cost of equipment and other expenses. The music is expected to begin at 7:30 p.m.

Anyone planning to attend is advised to bring a lawn chair or blanket for outdoor seating. A safety zone will be established by the Oak Ridge Fire Department, the press release said. Please sit only in the designated areas. The walking trail and most of A.K. Bissell Park will be closed for safety reasons during the fireworks show and set up.

[Read more…]

City’s egg hunt is March 23

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

A previous community egg hunt is pictured above in Alvin K. Bissell Park in Oak Ridge. (File photo by City of Oak Ridge)

The annual Community Egg Hunt is scheduled for Saturday, March 23.

The egg hunt is scheduled to start at 11 a.m., and it has been organized by the City of Oak Ridge Recreation and Parks Department.

The free egg hunt will be a traditional-style Egg Hunt held at Alvin K. Bissell Park, a press release said. Parking will be available at both the east and west parking lots at the Oak Ridge Civic Center.

[Read more…]

New Year’s Eve Countdown with food trucks, bands, ball drop

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

A New Year’s Eve countdown in Oak Ridge will feature food trucks, bands, and a ball drop.

There will also be fireworks, and the event and parking will be free, according to Free Medical Clinic of Oak Ridge, which is presenting the countdown.

The event is scheduled from 9 p.m. Sunday, December 31, to 1 a.m. Monday, January 1, at Alvin K. Bissell Park. The park is located at 1403 Oak Ridge Turnpike.

Musical performers will include Eli Fox Band and Alex and the Animals, according to an event flyer.

[Read more…]

Community Band has Christmas Concert & Sing Along

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

You can enjoy Christmas songs and carols with the Oak Ridge Community Band this afternoon, Sunday, December 10.

The concert is scheduled to start at 3:30 pm. at the Grove Theater at 123 Randolph Road in Oak Ridge.

“This is a free, family-friendly celebration and a great time to relax, take a break from shopping, and sing your favorite carols and hear familiar Christmas music,” an announcement said.

[Read more…]

Christmas Parade is Saturday evening

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Santa Claus participated in a previous Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce Christmas Parade. (File photo credit: Ray Smith.)

The Oak Ridge Christmas Parade is this evening, Saturday, December 9. It is scheduled to start at 6 p.m.

The parade is organized by the Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce. The theme of this year’s parade is “Sleigh Ride.”

As in the past, the parade route is down Lafayette Drive to Oak Ridge Turnpike, and the parade will end at Oak Ridge High School.

[Read more…]

Community Thanksgiving is Thursday

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Volunteers have organized a free community Thanksgiving Dinner on Thursday.

The dinner is from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday at the Historic Grove Theater at 123 Randolph Road in Oak Ridge. Reservations are not required.

“Everyone should have someone to give thanks with on Thanksgiving!” a press release said.

[Read more…]

Oak Ridge Community Band performs on Independence Day

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

The Oak Ridge Community Band performs in Alvin K. Bissell Park during a July 4 celebration. (Photo courtesy Explore Oak Ridge/Piper Communications)

The Oak Ridge Community Band will perform in Alvin K. Bissell Park on Tuesday, July 4 (Independence Day), before the city’s annual fireworks show.

The band is scheduled to play patriotic melodies starting at 7:30 p.m., a press release said.

“The music will stir your soul, bringing us closer as we honor our nation’s heritage,” the press release said. “As the final notes fade, prepare for a breathtaking fireworks display.”

[Read more…]

Fireworks show, music on July 4

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

A file photo of the annual fireworks show in Alvin K. Bissell Park in Oak Ridge on Thursday, July 4, 2019. (Photo by Julio Culiat)

Oak Ridge’s annual fireworks show is scheduled to being at dark Tuesday, around 9:45 p.m. on Independence Day, July 4. There will be music before the show.

The celebration, which is sponsored by the City of Oak Ridge, will be at Alvin K. Bissell Park in central Oak Ridge.

The Oak Ridge Community Band will perform prior to the fireworks. The concert is free, but donations are accepted by the band to help cover the cost of equipment and other expenses, a press release said. The music is expected to begin at 7:30 p.m.

[Read more…]

Community Egg Hunt is Saturday, April 1

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Image by City of Oak Ridge

The City of Oak Ridge Recreation and Parks Department will host its free annual Community Egg Hunt on Saturday, April 1 at 11 a.m.

The egg hunt will be a traditional style Egg Hunt held at Alvin K. Bissell Park. Parking will be available at both the East and West Civic Center parking lots. In the event of severe weather, eggs and prizes will be handed out via drive through at the Oak Ridge Civic Center.

The event is limited to children aged four through fourth grade. Families are asked to pre-register at Eventbrite.com. Pre-registration helps staff plan for the correct number of eggs and other supplies, a press release said.

[Read more…]

Local volunteers place more than 1,000 wreaths

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

More than 300 volunteers placed 1,225 veterans’ wreaths at Oak Ridge Memorial Park on December 17 as part of National Wreaths Across America Day. (Submitted photo)

More than 300 volunteers placed 1,225 veterans’ wreaths at Oak Ridge Memorial Park on December 17 as part of National Wreaths Across America Day.

The day was commemorated at about 3,700 locations across the country, a press release said.

“Our heroes were remembered and honored as volunteers safely placing a total of 2.7 million veterans’ wreaths on headstones nationwide, while saying each name out loud,” the press release said. “Wreaths Across America would like to thank the community, dedicated volunteers, generous sponsors, essential truck drivers, area officials, and members of the media for coming together in unity and supporting those who have protected our freedom. Each person has played an important part in the mission to remember the fallen, honor those that serve and their families, and teach the next generation the value of freedom.”

Oak Ridge High School Navy JROTC (Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps) helped arrange and conduct the opening ceremonies of National Wreaths Across America Day under the guidance of Eddie Lindsey, Local Wreaths Across America organizer, and Oak Ridge Memorial Gardens. (Submitted photo)

Oak Ridge Mayor Warren Gooch represented the city at its third annual Wreaths Across America Ceremony.

[Read more…]

Senior Center has Holiday Reception on Dec. 9

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Oak Ridge Senior Center exterior front 2019
The front of the Oak Ridge Senior Center is pictured above. (File photo courtesy City of Oak Ridge)

The Oak Ridge Senior Center will host a Holiday Reception for area senior citizens on Friday, December 9. The reception is scheduled from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. that day in the Civic Center gymnasium at 1403 Oak Ridge Turnpike.

The reception is free. Pre-registration is required because of limited space, a press release said.

“Come join us for a light box lunch consisting of chips, cookies, and a choice of either egg salad, chicken salad, or pimento cheese sandwich,” Senior Center Manager Linda McGhee said. “The Senior Center’s own Golden Eagles will be playing live Christmas music beginning at 11 a.m.”

[Read more…]

Chamber’s Christmas Parade is Saturday, Dec. 10

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

A photo from a previous Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce Christmas Parade. (File photo by Eli Welton)

The annual Christmas Parade in Oak Ridge will be Saturday, December 10.

It’s organized by the Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce and sponsored by The Cowperwood Company.

This year’s theme is “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree.”

More than 80 floats are expected to participate in the parade, which is scheduled from 6 p.m. to roughly 8 p.m. The parade route will include Lafayette Road, then Oak Ridge Turnpike. [Read more…]