July 4, 2021, Rockvale, Tennessee
Did you know the Rockvale Ruritans Club has been hosting the annual 4th of July Celebration since 1927?
2021 marked the 94th year of this piece of Americana.
Hamburgers, ice cream, Kona Ice, barbeque, games and most of all, a sense of community.
No ticket necessary. Free parking. Just a place where people come together and relax.
The grounds of the Rockvale School, built originally in 1910, is the gathering place to celebrate the nation’s Independence Day. The annual Rockvale picnic began around parent support of the 1927 edition of the school which replaced the original.
The first picnic started the morning with a horse race, which was not that unusual at community gatherings back in the day. Over the years, it has included plays and talent contests, bingo, field races, baby contests, and cake walks.
The ‘new’ Rockvale Elementary opened in 1992 at its current location on Highway 99 thus the old school site was leased to the community by the Rutherford County School Board where part of the school building and gymnasium remained on the site. In 1993, the Rockvale Ruritan Club became the host of the picnic as a means to provide support for the maintenance of the new Rockvale Community Center.