Get your Labor Day fireworks fix in Union County

Shannon CareyFeature

If you’re a longtime Knoxvillian, chances are you start to miss Boomsday about this time every year. The downtown Knoxville fireworks extravaganza used to be held on Labor Day weekend.

The answer to your fireworks desires is right up the road, north of Knox County in Union County. The Union County Chamber of Commerce is hosting Thunder in the Park, an event in its third year, with fireworks by Pyro Shows, the company that provided the “booms” in Boomsday.

The event will be held at Wilson Park, just behind Union County High School, 5-10 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 1, with a festival, cruise-in and live music until the fireworks start at 9:50 p.m.

Featured music includes rock ‘n roll from This Ends Now and bluegrass from The Stoney Point Band. Kids activities include face painting, balloon animals, pony rides and Shriners’ go-carts. There will be a rock-climbing wall for older kids and adults. The festival will also host a wide variety of food and craft vendors.

The event’s cruise-in is sponsored by Ray Varner Ford and coordinated by Charlie Hamilton. There is no charge to bring your car to the cruise-in, and there will be prizes.

Thunder in the Park is funded by Union County’s hotel/motel tax, plus sponsors Ray Varner Ford and David McCollough State Farm. Union County Chamber of Commerce president Thomas Skibinski said the event’s sponsors “have been an absolute joy to work with.”

Thunder in the Park is festival-style seating, so bring a blanket or chair. Skibinski said the event is “family-friendly” and a good close to the summer months.

Info: Find Union County Chamber of Commerce on Facebook.

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