The City of Oak Ridge is sponsoring its annual fireworks show to celebrate Independence Day once again. The display will be held in A.K. Bissell Park on July 4th and is scheduled to begin at dark, around 9:45 p.m.

The Oak Ridge Community Band, now in its 78th year, will perform prior to the fireworks. The music is expected to begin at 7:30 p.m.

Anyone planning to attend is advised to bring a lawn chair or blanket for outdoor seating. Please note that parking in the grass along Oak Ridge Turnpike between Robertsville Rd and N. Tulane Ave is prohibited for this event.

To prepare for the day's festivities, the walking trails in A.K. Bissell Park will be closed beginning at 8:30 a.m.

As a reminder, the discharge of fireworks within Oak Ridge city limits is prohibited without a permit.

All City of Oak Ridge offices will be closed on Monday, July 4, 2021, in observance of Independence Day.

On Thursday, June 23, 2022, Melton Lake Dr and surrounding streets will be closed for the 2022 USA Cycling Individual Time Trial National Championships.

Road closures on Melton Lake Dr will begin at 7:00 am starting with the area from Amanda Dr to Emory Valley Rd. At 8:30 am, Melton Lake Dr between Palisades Pkwy and Rolling Links Blvd will close. Union Valley Rd will also be closed just before it intersects with Melton Lake Dr. Residents of River’s Run, Royal Troon, and Rockbridge Greens neighborhoods will be able to enter and exit right onto Melton Lake Drive towards Edgemoor Rd. until 9:25 am. Full closure of Melton Lake Dr between Palisades Pkwy and Edgemoor Rd will occur at 9:25 am. Residents of Palisades will still be able to turn left onto Melton Lake Dr towards Oak Ridge Turnpike.

Residents in the River’s Run, Royal Troon, and Rockbridge Greens neighborhoods who need/want to enter/exit their neighborhoods will be given a short window between trials to do so. This is expected to occur between 11:10 am and 11:40 am. Residents will be able to use the Rolling Links Blvd entrance via Edgemoor Rd during this time, and they will be able to line up at the entrance prior to the timed break. ORPD will be assisting with the entrance/exit of vehicles. For more information, please call Explore Oak Ridge at 865-483-1321 or email them at cyclinginfo@oakridgevisitor.com.



Come beat the heat this summer at the Oak Ridge Municipal Pools!

The indoor pool at the Civic Center is open on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Swim lessons are from 9 a.m. to noon and 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Open lap is from 12:15 p.m. to 3:45 p.m. Please note that this week, June 20-24, the indoor pool is closed for open swim and lap swim. Swim lessons will be on regular schedule.

The Outdoor Pool is open for public swim Monday through Friday from noon to 6 p.m., Wednesday nights from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. The Outdoor Pool is also be open Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to noon for 100M lap swim.

As a reminder, areas of the Outdoor Pool may be closed at times depending on activities, attendance, and staffing. The kiddie pool remains closed this season for repairs. Private pool parties are not available. The pool schedule is subject to change due to weather, special events, and/or staffing.

For questions or more information, call the Recreation and Parks Department at (865) 425-3450 or visit orrecparks.oakridgetn.gov.

Team registration for the City of Oak Ridge Recreation & Parks Department’s 2022 Fall Softball season opens June 20, 2022. A Men’s League will be offered on Monday evenings with a possibility of Thursday make up games. A recreational and a competitive Co-Ed league will be offered on Tuesday evenings with possibilities of Thursday make up games. Each league will consist of an eight-game season and an end of season tournament to determine the champion. New to the 2022 season and in accordance with T.C.A. § 39-17-1551(e) and City Ordinance Section 11-111, smoking, use of tobacco products, and use of vapor products at parks, playgrounds, greenways, and public property will be prohibited outside of designated areas. Teams must complete registration paperwork and pay the applicable registration fee by July 16th. Games are scheduled to begin the week of August 1st.

For more information or to obtain the registration paperwork, teams may contact Matt Reece at (865) 425-3440 or players may inquire at the front desk of the Oak Ridge Civic Center. Registration materials are due by the registration deadlines.

July is the peak month for grilling fires, followed by May, June and August.

When the warmer weather hits, there’s nothing better than the smell of food on the grill.

Seven out of every 10 adults in the U.S. have a grill or smoker, which translates to a lot of tasty meals. But it also means there’s an increased risk of home fires.

In 2014-2018, fire departments went to an annual average of 8,900 home fires involving grills, hibachis or barbecues per year, including 3,900 structure fires and 4,900 outside or unclassified fires.

Have you always dreamed of cleaning out your attic, your garage, or your kid’s closets and making a few dollars in the process, but you just don’t have an ideal location? Well, here is your chance! For one day only, Saturday, July 16th, the City of Oak Ridge Recreation and Parks Department is hosting an indoor yard sale! It will take place in the Oak Ridge Civic Center Gym, located at 1403 Oak Ridge Turnpike, from 8am—1pm, and we are looking for sellers!

A space is only $15.00, and you can get up to two spaces, while they are available.

For applications, vendor rules and regulations, or more information visit the Oak Ridge Recreation and Parks website at orrecparks.oakridgetn.gov, call the Civic Center at (865) 425-3450, or stop by the Civic Center front desk.

City of Oak Ridge Plants Tree at Central Services Complex to Honor former Public Works Director Shira McWaters