July 4th, 2025

Anvil shoots at the top of every hour from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

While most Americans celebrate Independence Day with fireworks, the Museum of Appalachia marks the occasion with an old- fashioned “anvil shoot”. Every 4th of July, the Museum uses gunpowder to launch a 200-pound anvil hundreds of feet into the air!

Anvil shoots were once a common way for pioneers to commemorate holidays, elections and other special occasions. The anvil shoot is the centerpiece of an all-day celebration that includes a national bell-ringing ceremony, flag procession, live music, southern food, demonstrations from blacksmiths, beekeepers, dulcimer makers, spinners, weavers, rail splitters, and more.