Oak Ridge Today

Oak Ridge announces Independence Day concert, fireworks

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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.

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Lavender Festival is Saturday

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The Lavender Festival is pictured above in Jackson Square on Saturday, June 16, 2018. (File photo by Julio Culiat)

The annual Lavender Festival is Saturday in Jackson Square.

It’s the 24th festival and presented by the City of Oak Ridge. It’s scheduled from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the city’s historic center.

“Lavender Festival celebrates good health, local creativity, the environment, and of course, all things lavender!” a press release said. “The highlight of the festival are 150 juried artisan and food vendors, with handmade and locally grown items, everything from pottery and woodworking, iron work, handmade baskets, and more.”

Some of the new artisan vendors this year include Aviary Broom Co., Butter from the Block, Millborne Bakery, Marigold & Marie, and Rising Star Leather. New food vendors include Groovy Grub, Knox Bun, Frog Juice, and Barriga Llena.

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UT Arboretum Society has spring plant sale in April

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Submitted photo

The University of Tennessee Arboretum Society will have its annual plant sale in Oak Ridge in April.

It’s the 57th Spring Plant Sale, and it’s scheduled for April 12 and 13 at the UT Arboretum at 901 South Illinois Avenue (State Route 62). There will be a “members only” sale from 4-7 p.m. Friday, April 12, and the public sale is scheduled from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Saturday, April 13.

Society memberships or membership renewals may be purchased on Friday evening for the “early bird” shopping opportunity, a press release said.

“By joining UTAS on Friday night, people can enjoy the membership benefit of having the first pick of our beautiful selection of plants, some of which sell out that evening,” the press release said. Checks, cash, and credit cards will be accepted.

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City’s egg hunt is March 23

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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.

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

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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.

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Community Band has Christmas Concert & Sing Along

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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.

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Christmas Parade is Saturday evening

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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.

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Fireworks show, music on July 4

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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.

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Read Lavender Festival schedule, details

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Lavender Festival (Submitted photo)

The Lavender Festival has expanded. Here is a schedule of musicians and presentations, and information about additional events.

The free festival, the 23rd Jackson Square Lavender Festival, is scheduled from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, June 17, in Jackson Square. Since 1999, the Lavender Festival has been held the third week of June, which is when the lavender is in bloom in Tennessee. In addition to several local lavender farms, the festival features 150 artisan and food vendors, live music, informative presentations, and free children’s activities.

For information about vendors, parking, road closures, children’s activities, and more, visit  www.JacksonSquareLavenderFestival.org. The festival is “rain or shine,” a press release said.

Here is what is new this year:

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Lavender Festival is June 17

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Lavender Festival (Submitted photo)

The 23rd Jackson Square Lavender Festival returns to Jackson Square this month. The Main Event is free to the public on Saturday, June 17, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Lavender Festival was named Best Festival last year by the Middle East Tennessee Tourism Council, a press release said. It is presented this year by the City of Oak Ridge, which will have a booth for information about living, working, and playing in Oak Ridge.

Since 1999, Lavender Festival has been held the third week of June, which is when the lavender is in bloom in Tennessee. In addition to several local lavender farms, the festival features 150 artisan and food vendors, live music, informative presentations, and free children’s activities.

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Outdoor pool to re-open Friday

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The Oak Ridge Outdoor Pool is pictured above on Tuesday, May 16, 2023. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

The Oak Ridge Outdoor Pool will open for the season this weekend, Memorial Day weekend.

The pool will be open from 12 to 6 p.m. Friday, May 26, through Monday, May 30.

Then, beginning May 31, the pool will be open summer hours. Public swims will be Monday through Friday from noon to 7 p.m., Wednesday nights from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. The pool will also be open Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to noon for 100-meter lap swims.

As a reminder, areas of the pool may be closed at times depending on activities, attendance, and staffing. The pool schedule is subject to change due to weather, special events, and/or staffing, a press release said.

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Flatwater Tales Storytelling Festival returning to Oak Ridge

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Lyn Ford, Bil Lepp, and Rev. Robert B. Jones (Images courtesy Flatwater Tales Storytelling Festival)

The Flatwater Tales Storytelling Festival will return to the Historic Grove Theater in Oak Ridge with nationally acclaimed storytellers Lyn Ford, Bil Lepp, and Rev. Robert B. Jones on June 2 and 3.

“Well-known to audiences throughout the country for their wit and wisdom, these three performers are guaranteed to make audiences laugh, cry, and reminisce,” a press release said. “The storytellers will perform different stories at each show on both days. In addition, two special workshops will be offered to precede the performances.”

The Friday, June 2, performance will be at 7 p.m. The next day, Saturday, June 3, will feature a memorable family show at 10 a.m. and shows at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Tickets are $15 for adults and $5 for children for each show, except for the June 3 Family Show at 10 a.m. Tickets for that show are $10 for adults and $5 for children. For the Flatwater Tales website, click here.

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