NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WZTV) — If Middle Tennessee’s summer heat has you questioning every life decision made after noon, these local ice cream shops offer the sweetest escape.

As dangerous heat grips Middle Tennessee, here’s a roundup of the region’s best spots for handcrafted scoops, towering sundaes and frozen treats made to beat the summer sizzle.

Mike’s is a late-night go-to for sweet cravings, known for its homemade waffle cones — the smell alone draws people in — and dozens of rotating flavors like espresso shake, banana pudding and strawberry cheesecake.

A Middle Tennessee institution, Hattie Jane’s churns small-batch ice cream made with Tennessee dairy. Southern-inspired flavors such as nana puddin’, brown butter pecan and strawberry jam have made it a regional favorite.

With more than 70 flavors — including a rotating “Sweet 16” lineup — Sweethaven has quickly earned its place on Franklin’s Main Street. Popular picks include fresh strawberry, chocolate raspberry truffle and spicy mango. Its charming location makes it an easy stop after shopping or dinner.

A Nashville landmark since 1951, Bobbie’s Dairy Dip keeps it classic with chocolate-dipped soft serve, old-school milkshakes and an ice cream-and-burger combo locals swear by. Pup cups are available for four-legged regulars.

Sarabhas is the spot for adventurous palates. Indian-inspired flavors, chai pairings and kulfi-inspired creations set this shop apart. Popular flavors include mango, Indian coffee and chai spice.

Conecept is Instagram-worthy without sacrificing substance. Creative seasonal flavors, thick milkshakes and loaded specialty cones keep locals coming back. Popular flavors include blueberry and vanilla.

This neighborhood favorite serves everything from ice cream to floats in a family-friendly setting. Standout flavors include bunny tracks, mango ice cream with chamoy and chocolate peanut butter.

Gelato lovers, this one’s for you. GelatoPazzo serves authentic Italian-style gelato with rich pistachio, stracciatella and seasonal fruit flavors. Locals consistently praise the shop’s warm, welcoming atmosphere.

Can’t choose between savory and sweet? Fryce Cream solves that. The shop pairs fries with soft-serve ice cream, loaded sundaes and sweet-and-salty combinations. The fries-and-gelato dip combo is a must-try, according to regulars.

Equal parts coffee shop and creamery, Cream & Bean features homemade coffee and ice cream flavors in a relaxed neighborhood setting.

A fast favorite in Franklin’s Cool Springs area, Handel’s makes its ice cream fresh daily with a lineup of more than 40 flavors. Fan favorites include Chocoholic Chunk, Monkey Business and Graham Central Station.

Visitors can watch staff hand-craft Mackinac Island-style fudge right in the shop. Freshly made waffle cones, rich ice cream flavors and an old-fashioned candy shop atmosphere have made Kilwins a longtime draw for locals and tourists alike.

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Watching fireworks light up the sky with dazzling colors and configurations is such a thrill, we often forget that making those shows happen requires literally playing with fire.

Here in East Tennessee, we’ve had our share of fireworks disasters.

The smallest mistake can set off a monster chain reaction. It’s the tragic side of a favorite pastime that’s claimed lives and livelihoods through the years.

Benton fireworks factory explodes

Windows shattered and photos fell from the walls in nearby houses when an explosion destroyed an illegal fireworks factory in Benton in 1983. The boom was heard as far away as Cleveland, about 15 miles away, the Knoxville News-Sentinel reported May 27, 1983.

Eleven people died in the explosion.

“It’s the worst thing I’ve seen since Vietnam,” Polk County Sheriff Frank Payne said at the time. “What happened was like a direct hit by a 500-pound bomb.”

MOUNTAIN CITY, Tenn. (WCYB) — As America prepares to celebrate its 250th birthday, weeks of community support and volunteer effort helped bring a historic project to Johnson County.

County leaders dedicated Tennessee’s first Charters of Freedom display on Thursday at Ralph Stout Park in Mountain City. The permanent exhibit features replicas of some of the nation’s most important founding documents, including the Declaration of Independence, the four pages of the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights.

The display was provided at no cost because it is the first Charters of Freedom installation in Tennessee.

For leaders with the Mountain City Veterans of Foreign Wars post, the project began as a way to mark America’s 250th anniversary but became something they hope will serve future generations.

“About four years ago, the VFW started sponsoring the Independence Day parade because nobody else was,” Mountain City Former VFW Commander Daniel Parsons said. “Every year we’ve built on it and made it bigger and better. Last year we said, ‘For America’s 250th, let’s leave something here for future generations.’”

After contacting Foundation Forward in North Carolina, Parsons said he wasn’t sure when the display might become available. Then, about six weeks ago, he received word that the foundation could have it ready in time for the nation’s 250th anniversary celebration.

“It went from a dream to reality in just under six weeks,” Parsons said. “Local volunteers, masons and businesses all stepped up. It really came together fast.”

The Charters of Freedom project began about 15 years ago after the founders of Foundation Forward visited the National Archives in Washington, D.C. and wanted to give other communities the opportunity to experience those same historic documents.

“They wanted to bring that same experience back to their hometown,” a Foundation Forward Director Michael Unruh said. “What was supposed to be one display has now grown across the country.”

There are now 79 Charters of Freedom displays across 19 states. The Mountain City installation is the first in Tennessee.

Parsons said the exhibit was donated because it is Tennessee’s first.

“Because this is the very first Charters of Freedom in Tennessee, it was provided at no cost to the county or taxpayers,” Parsons said. “The foundation simply asked us to help pay it forward.”

Organizers said the display is intended to give more people the opportunity to see the nation’s founding documents, especially as fewer students have the chance to visit Washington, D.C.

“The farther you get from Washington, the fewer people get to see these documents in person,” Unruh said. “That’s the experience we’re trying to bring to communities like this one.”

The dedication ceremony drew visitors from across the country, including members of Parsons’ family.

“This is a great thing. This is absolutely beyond I expected. I am so happy. I almost cried with him when he choked up there in his speech,” said Daniel Parson’s sister, Norma Parsons McPherson.

Leaders also announced plans to bury a time capsule to commemorate the occasion.

“This is such a beautiful thing for our county,” Johnson County resident Buffy Cornett said. “I love my county that I live in, and I love our country. I’m so thankful for my freedom today. I have family that are Veterans and it’s all about them because of our freedom. “