Extreme heat leave some Nashville events canceled or ended early

As the heat wave continues across the Mid-South, hundreds of thousands of people are at risk of heat-related illnesses during Fourth of July celebrations marking America's 250th birthday. So far, some events have been canceled because of the dangerous temperatures. One of Nashville's biggest events, Let Freedom Sing!, has been canceled for the day, July 3, due to severe storms, but the dangers of heat stroke still remain. Visit Music City posted events would still be ongoing for tomorrow. Earlier in the day on Friday, FOX 17 News spoke to residents out in the heat, before thunderstorms moved in. "It's been pretty hot," Nashville resident Scott Powell said. "It's extremely hot," tourist Ashley Hosey said. RELATED COVERAGE | Thousands of DREMC customers without power as extreme heat grips Middle Tennessee Jessica Hartjes, a tourist visiting Nashville, fanned herself to keep cool. "It's like 100 degrees, and it's extremely humid," Hartjes said. The extreme heat has led several events to be canceled in Nashville, including an appearance by Cousins Maine Lobster. The business said it was canceling "in the interest of keeping our staff safe" and apologized for the inconvenience to people who planned to attend. Opry Plaza also canceled singer Emily Brooke's show this weekend because of the heat. "I am so bummed, y'all," Brooke wrote in a Facebook post. "You can only be out for so long," Hartjes said. "And if you don't have the relief, that's when people can get hurt." Dr. Michael Hasty, medical director at TriStar Southern Hills, explained the dangers of extreme heat. "Sometimes people will pass out because they get so hot. You have a seizure, which is what we call a heat stroke," Hasty said. Hasty said there are warning signs people should watch for. "If you start not sweating and you get chills and you get cold when you are outside, that is your body telling you something is not going right," Hasty said. He advises people to stay in the shade, avoid drinking too much alcohol, drink plenty of water and take time to cool off. That's where the nonprofit Red Frogs steps in. "We have about five different Red Frogs tents spread out across the district downtown, making sure that we're doing free cups of water," Red Frogs CEO Dan Terry said. The group is also offering free ice towels and misting spray to help people cool down in the extreme heat. Red Frogs will be available from 10:30 a.m. until midnight through Saturday and is ramping up its efforts on the Fourth of July. Health experts warn that if anyone shows signs of heat stroke, such as confusion or dizziness, call 911. https://fox17.com/news/local/extreme-... _______________ Follow! Like! Share! Subscribe! WZTV on Facebook:   / foxnashville   WZTV on X:   / foxnashville   https://fox17.com Email us: [email protected] Call the Newsroom: 615.369.1717 Fox 17 provides local news, weather, sports, traffic and entertainment for Nashville and nearby towns and communities in Middle Tennessee, including Forest Hills, Brentwood, Franklin, Fairview, Dickson, Clarksville, White House, Greenbrier, Springfield, Gallatin, Hartsville, Lebanon, Mt Juliet, Smyrna, College Grove, Thompson’s Station, Centerville, Murfreesboro, Columbia, Lewisburg, Shelbyville, Manchester, McMinnville, Smithville, Sparta, Cookeville, Hohenwald, Waverly, Camden, Paris, Lafayette, Portland, and in Kentucky, Russelville, Bowling Green, Franklin, Alvaton, Scottsville, Hopkinsville, Glasgow. #WZTV #fox17news #foxnashville #nashville #tennessee #tn #middletn #localnews #breakingnews #trending