Discovery Park of America’s Fourth of July activities announced

Make plans to visit Discovery Park of America, in Union City, Tenn., July 4-5. 2025, as guests will have the opportunity to step back in time and explore the nation’s rich heritage and its fight for independence.

Special activities will take place around the Heritage Park through the day, including living historians and re-enactments; patriotic sing-alongs; reading of the Declaration of Independence; ringing of the Liberty Bell; patriotic-themed scavenger hunt; blacksmith demonstrations; old fashioned All-American games; characters dressed in period clothing; Education Program: The American Automobile, Boston Tea Party re-enactment; and Education Program: Preparing for 250 Years of the USA.

The full schedule of events is: 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Dino Hall, Historical Interpreter Jeff Talley, dressed in period clothing, will discuss mid-1700s printing and bookbinding; 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Tennessee Room, “Science Lessons of 1776”: Guests can experience a lesson with Discovery Park’s education team on the science of 1776 vs facts about how the scientific world has changed nearly 250 years after the Revolutionary times; Coloring the American Flag: A table with a giant coloring page of the American Flag will be available for guests of all ages to help us fill in the appropriate colors; Whirligigs: Guests can make period-accurate whirligigs  (known today as pinwheels); 1:15 p.m., Lower Level Military Gallery, Community Singing of Patriotic Songs: Guests can participate in a spirited Patriotic sing-along featuring beloved patriotic songs; Reading of the Declaration of Independence: Attend a compelling reading of the Declaration of Independence by Jeff Talley. This session offers a profound insight into the document that ignited the American Revolution; 2 p.m., Liberty Hall, Ringing of the Liberty Bell: Join us at Liberty Hall for the ceremonial ringing of the Liberty Bell, followed by the Boston Tea Party reenactment. This bell is rung only once a year, making this a unique and memorable occasion. The bell is rung at 2 p.m. 13 times nationwide as part of the “Let Freedom Ring” Bell Ringing Ceremony. It pays tribute to the 13 founding states symbolized by the signers of the Declaration of Independence. This tradition is the sole Independence Day observance mandated by the federal government. 2:15 p.m., Covered Bridge by Liberty Hall, Boston Tea Party Reenactment located at Covered Bridge by Liberty Hall: Witness a reenactment of the Boston Tea Party, the pivotal act of defiance that significantly influenced American history; 2:30-5 p.m., Liberty Hall Tent, Historical Interpreter Jeff Talley, dressed in period clothing, will discuss mid-1700s printing and bookbinding.

All day events from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. include: Scavenger Hunt, there’s a spy in our midst. Follow the clues to aid The Revolution. Redeem your completed Scavenger Hunt for a free ice cream. Pick up your scavenger hunt form at the ticket counter; Blacksmith Demonstrations at the Smithy, Observe skilled local blacksmiths at work in our fully operational smithy; J.C. Stahlman’s The Living Historians on the South Side of Grounds, explore the lives of soldiers in the Revolutionary War with this group of historians who will be camping out on Discovery Park grounds; and Traditional Skills and Crafts in the Wade Cabin, Mike Ramsey, a historian at Discovery Park, will present live demonstrations of traditional skills and crafts, including candle and soap making, as well as spinning and weaving.

Characters dressed in period clothing are available to take photos with guests.

All activities are free with park admission. All active-duty military personnel, veterans and their immediate family members present with them at the time of ticket purchase at the Discovery Park ticket counter will receive free admission.

Water and fans will be provided to keep guests cool on this warm day.

The event is sponsored by Walmart.