From the Gatlinburg Chamber of Commerce: Visitors and residents need to be aware of the traffic plan for the July 4th Midnight Parade beginning on Wednesday, July 3. The Parade steps off at Midnight, July 3 at the intersection of Hwy 321/East Parkway and Baskins Creek Bypass. The route proceeds southbound onto Hwy 441/Parkway at traffic light #3 and concludes at traffic light #10 at the intersection of Hwy 441/Parkway and Ski Mountain Road.
In preparation for the parade, the Gatlinburg Police Department will close two southbound lanes of Highway 321/East Parkway from Food City to Little House of Pancakes at 6:45 p.m. on Wednesday, July 3.
Immediately prior to the parade, all traffic on Highway 321/East Parkway, northbound and southbound, will be stopped at 11:15 p.m. until the parade passes. Additionally, all northbound traffic on Hwy 441 will be re-routed from the National Park to the Gatlinburg Bypass at 11:30 p.m.
All traffic will be stopped throughout the parade route at 11:40 p.m. and will not resume until the end of the parade.
Everyone is encouraged to arrive early.