Signal Mountain to have parade, pork and pyrotechnics

Today’s Fourth of July celebration on Signal Mountain has been 100 years in the making.

To mark the town’s centennial, more activities and a bigger fireworks show have been added to the annual Signal Mountain Lions Club barbecue and fireworks finale.

The patriotic party will start at 10 a.m. with the Firecracker Mile, a mile-long run that will lead off the parade along the same route. The Firecracker Mile will start on James Boulevard directly across from Alexian Inn in Old Town. Participants and spectators are asked to park on residential streets through Old Town and not on James Boulevard, being respectful of access to residents’ driveways.

Members of the Signal Mountain Lions Club began smoking 1,200 pounds of pork Wednesday night in expectation of today’s crowd at their barbecue. The barbecue is held in Althaus Park behind Signal Mountain Country Club.

Ralph Mann, past barbecue chairman, said today’s serving hours are 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Guests have the choice of a plate for $10 or buying pork by the pound for $12. Plates will come with barbecue, beans, slaw and a bun for those who want to make their meat a sandwich.

“Since this is Signal Mountain’s centennial, the city will have vendors at the barbecue and entertainment for kids, such as a bounce castle and balloon artist. We are partnering for a bigger-than-normal fireworks show tonight,” says Mann. The fireworks will be shot from Shackleford Ridge Park behind Signal Mountain Middle-High School’s soccer field.

“The fireworks show always draws people from the mountain and those who don’t live on the mountain. Because this show will be even larger, we will have additional parking at Nolan Elementary School,” he advises.