Sevier News Messenger Sevier County News and Opinion
Diamond Rio, the multi-award-winning country music band that marked 25 years together last year, is helping Pigeon Forge’s Patriot Festival on July 4, 2015 mark its 25th anniversary of celebrating Independence Day.
Diamond Rio – a member act of the Grand Ole Opry that has sold 10 million albums and won multiple Country Music Association Awards, a Grammy Award and a Dove Award – headlines a day of entertainment in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains.
“We always make Patriot Festival a big event, and Diamond Rio will make our 25th celebration even bigger,” said Leon Downey, executive director of the Pigeon Forge Department of Tourism.
“They are playing in the middle of Pigeon Forge, and the crowd can count on hearing ‘Meet in the Middle.’ That song was their first release, and it made them the first band whose debut single hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart,” Downey said.
Patriot Festival activity begins at noon with children’s games. Live stage entertainment begins at 1:30 p.m. Admission is free.
The lineup also includes Departure: The Journey Tribute Band, rising country singer Mae Beth Harris, the Pigeon Forge Community Chorus, performers from the Biblical Times Theater and Just Bcuz Music.
Diamond Rio’s performance will precede a major fireworks show, which will begin about 9:45 p.m. The fireworks will be synchronized to music broadcast on WIVK-FM in Knoxville.
Admission to Patriot Festival is free!
Free parking is available in the city’s parking lot on Teaster Lane. Free shuttle service will be available between that parking lot and Patriot Park starting at noon. Lawn chairs and blankets are welcome, and a variety of food and beverage vendors will be present. Their proceeds will benefit local charities.
