Celebrate the 4th of July the small town way
One of the highlights of Summer is the 4th of July; Monroe County has a classic celebration you can't miss. Every year, Vonore goes all out for Independence Day with a parade and fireworks display on the shores of Tellico Lake. Visitors can enjoy live patriotic music and shop from local vendors as they wait for the grand fireworks finale. The parade usually starts around 07 PM. The event takes place at Heritage Park, just across the street from the Vonore Heritage Museum and Public Library. If you need some things to do before the party starts, go check out Fort Loudoun and the Sequoyah Birthplace Museum.
Get a bird's eye view of Vonore at the Balloon Festival
Every Labor Day weekend, Vonore hosts the largest balloon festival in East Tennessee, the Monroe Life Balloon Festival! Held at the Sequoyah Birthplace Museum, hot air balloons take to the skies above the city, and for $20, you can ride in these balloons, giving you amazing views of the landscape. Along with that, there are all the festival favorites of live music, craft vendors, and a kids zone. You'll want to stick around til evening when the hot air balloons are lit up in sync with music. Admission is $10 with all the money going to the Boys and Girls Club of Monroe County. There is also a VIP ticket with steakhouse catering.
Cool off after a day in the Sun at Bootlegger's Ice Cream
With so many outdoor activities to do in Vonore during the Summer, you'll need a few scoops of ice cream to help cool off. Bootlegger's Ice Cream, located on Highway 411 just a short drive away from the lake, has over 100 flavors ranging from the usuals chocolate and vanilla to apricot, mango, espresso, and even watermelon! Not only do they have a large variety of flavors, you can get your ice cream hand scooped as soft serve or in a sundae, milkshake, float, or flurrie. And if you aren't in the mood for something sweet, they also serve hot dogs. If you want somewhere scenic to enjoy your ice cream, Heritage Park is just a three minute drive up the road.
Have some lunch right on the waves at The Mudpuppy
Imagine it: you've had a day out on Tellico Lake, maybe you've been doing all the exciting water sports or maybe you just relaxed on the gentle waters. It is time to eat but you don't want to have to drive inland. Lucky for you, there is a restaurant floating on the lake. The Mudpuppy, which is part of the Cherokee Outdoor Resort and Marina, has an extensive menu with something for everyone such as shrimp tacos, BBQ nachos, and chicken wings. The restaurant has a mix of outdoor and covered seating (but not truly indoors so you will still feel the outdoor heat and any wind and rain). Park your boat at the marina and take a quick walk over to the restaurant.
Have fun doing your favorite water sports on Tellico Lake
Summer is the best time to get out on the lake. Monroe County has two major lakes with the most accessible being Tellico Lake in Vonore. Here you can enjoy all your favorite water sports such as boating, canoeing, jet skiing, paddleboarding, wakesurfing, and wakeboarding. There are several launches and piers at various locations such as at Four Loudoun and Heritage Park. There are two marinas (Tellico Marina and Cherokee Outdoor Resort) which both have everything you need for a day on the lake. Before you take to the water, make sure you understand boat safety. A Boating Education Certificate is required for anyone born after January 1989.
