Oak Ridge Today

Museum of Appalachia celebrates July 4 with ‘boom’ of anvil shoot

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On July 4th, the Museum of Appalachia celebrates Independence Day in dramatic fashion. For nearly 30 years, the Museum has celebrated the Fourth of July by practicing the pioneer-tradition of “anvil-shooting.” (Photo courtesy Museum of Appalachia)

On July 4th, the Museum of Appalachia celebrates Independence Day in dramatic fashion. For nearly 30 years, the Museum has celebrated the Fourth of July by practicing the pioneer-tradition of “anvil-shooting.” (Photo courtesy Museum of Appalachia)

 

On July 4th, the Museum of Appalachia celebrates Independence Day in dramatic fashion. For nearly 30 years, the Museum has celebrated the Fourth of July by practicing the pioneer-tradition of “anvil-shooting.”

Each year, huge crowds gather to watch the Museum blacksmith as he packs gunpowder between two anvils and lights a fuse—launching the top anvil some 125 feet into the air. As the anvil soars high above the treetops, the earth literally shakes, and the sound of the explosion can be heard as far as 15 miles away.

Before there were fireworks, shooting the anvil was a common way for pioneers to celebrate special events, a press release said. Local blacksmiths would practice this tradition to celebrate the nation’s Independence, Christmas, and even Davy Crockett’s election to the U.S. Congress.

“While the tradition of anvil-shooting is nearly obsolete, the Museum honors our ancestors by carrying on this unique and exciting form of celebration,” the press release said. [Read more…]

Museum celebrates Independence Day with old-time ‘anvil shoot’

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Anvil Lighting

By Museum of Appalachia

NORRIS—Visitors to the Museum of Appalachia, a Smithsonian Affiliate Museum, can celebrate July 4 with the explosion of sound that pioneers heard thunder through the hills when they celebrated Independence Day.

In those days, local blacksmiths would “shoot the anvil” to celebrate the nation’s Independence, Christmas, and even Davy Crockett’s election to the U.S. Congress.

Now, shooting the 175-pound anvil, an almost lost tradition, has come to be a highlight of the Museum’s annual July 4 Celebration. Folks as far as 15 miles away have reported hearing the blast, and certainly everyone gathered for the excitement feels the earth shake under their feet.

Along with a big boom several times during the day, there will be patriotic ceremonies, a flag waving procession led by bagpiper Jesse McCrary, Longhunter camp stories, Appalachian music, and an array of historic demonstrations. [Read more…]

July 4 plans announced for Clinton, Norris, Museum of Applachia

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Information from WYSH Radio

July 4 plans have been announced for Clinton, Norris, and the Museum of Appalachia.

Clinton—Clinton’s annual Independence Day fireworks show will be held at Lakefront Park again this year. Festivities get under way at 6 p.m. Thursday, July 4, with a host of activities for kids, live music, and more. Backyard Bouncers will have a 65-foot, three-lane “megawaterslide,” a bounce house, a two-lane slip and slide, a two-lane Bungee challenge, and an All-Stars basketball challenge. [Read more…]