9th Annual Red, White, And Boom Tuesday At Putnam Fairgrounds

The Putnam County Fairgrounds will host the 9th annual Red, White, and Boom Tuesday.

Better Cookeville founder Ricky Shelton said the celebration is the second-largest fireworks show in Tennessee with over 50,000 annual visitors. He said the celebration is important as a show of patriotism and respect.

“We have to celebrate Independence, it’s about our liberty, it’s about our freedom,” Shelton said. “And so this is a way that we can honor those who have fought and died for our freedoms, and continue to protect our liberties across the world.”

Shelton said this year’s event will include a children’s parade, a patriotic ceremony at the courthouse honoring veterans, vendors, and a demonstration of a tank by the U.S. Army. He said in the evening before the fireworks there will be live music from Craig Wayne Boyd, Lilly Grace, and Shane Profitt.

Shelton said admission to the fairgrounds and to the music is free. He said there will be around 20 food trucks on site.

Shelton said the firework show will begin at approximately 9 pm. He said the show should last around 23 minutes. He said the fireworks will be visible all around town.

“It’s very intense action-packed for 23 minutes, and literally you can see it anywhere all over that sector of town,” Shelton said. “It launches from the fairgrounds but Jefferson Avenue, Willow Avenue, Interstate Drive, there are vantage points all along through there.”

Shelton said the event would not be possible without the support from Mayor Randy Porter, the corporate sponsors of the event, and the support from the community over the past nine years.