NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Nashville has always had great music, but add a team USA soccer game and a Sounds game and you've got the biggest patriotic kickoff to Nashville's biggest July 4th celebration, ever.
“Half of downtown is shut down for Fourth of July weekend what a great American celebration,” Javier Fuentes said while walking into Nissan Stadium.
In a sea of red, white, and blue, the stadium smashed past soccer attendance records at the former LP Field.
“We bought tickets for this game forever ago, we’re just so excited,” said Hannah Higgins, dressed as Lady Liberty and standing with her family.
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An estimated 40,000 packed the stands and at the same time thousands more kicked off the weekend across the Cumberland River at the Jack Daniels stage for the Prelude to the Fourth music series.
“I love this, I love when they close things down,” said Franklin resident Harmony Blake.
Add another 10,000 people for the regularly scheduled baseball game and you've got a traffic-slowing and crowded great time.
“Parking’s crazy, traffic’s crazy, people are crazy,” said Zo Alvarez, “but we’re here to have fun and enjoy the game.”
People spending time downtown noticed the hundreds of police officers patrolling the area, on the lookout for any possible danger. Last week the FBI issued a nation-wide warning after ISIS called for lone wolf-style attacks.
But most people said they're not worried.
“We’re safe,” nodded Connie Herbig.
They’re just ringing in the 4th in the way only Nashville can.
Saturday was expected to be even bigger, with almost 300,000 people anticipated downtown.
Music has been set to begin at 6:30 p.m. and headliner Martina McBride would be taking the stage before the largest fireworks display in the country.
