Celebrate the Year of the Snake

Issue #410

In this Knoxville Insider Issue…

🌤️ Weather | Sunny with a High of 31

📰 Cupid’s Chase 5K: Run for a Cause!

📰 Join the Ijams Weed Warriors Native Landscape Certification Program

🗓️ Upcoming Events

📣 We Want to Spotlight Your Business! Apply Here

 Advertising Opportunities
 

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Today’s Record High: 76 in1937 — Record Low: 0 in 1970


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Celebrate the Year of the Snake at the 2025 East Tennessee Chinese New Year Festival!

Welcome the arrival of spring and the start of the Year of the Snake in spectacular fashion at the 2025 East Tennessee Chinese New Year Festival! This vibrant, family-friendly variety show promises an unforgettable celebration of Chinese culture, featuring dazzling performances that will delight all ages.

Enjoy a rich lineup of entertainment, including traditional dancing, singing, music, martial arts demonstrations, and the iconic dragon dance. This year’s festival is honored to feature a very special guest: Lina Liu, the World’s Premier Umbrella Juggling Artist. Hailing from New York City, Lina is a Guinness World Record Holder, a recipient of the prestigious International Circus Gold Prize, and a celebrated NBA halftime show performer. Her breathtaking skills are sure to leave the audience in awe!

The festivities will take place on Sunday, February 2, 2025, from 3:30 to 6:00 PM, in the beautiful Cox Auditorium at the Alumni Memorial Building on the campus of the University of Tennessee in Knoxville.

Immerse yourself in this joyous cultural celebration and be part of a timeless tradition. Don’t miss the chance to experience the beauty and excitement of the Chinese New Year.

Mark your calendar, bring your family and friends, and join us for a magical afternoon!

Event Details:
📅 Date: Sunday, February 2, 2025
 Time: 3:30 – 6:00 PM
📍 Location: Cox Auditorium, Alumni Memorial Building, University of Tennessee, Knoxville

We look forward to celebrating with you! More Info

Cupid’s Chase 5K: Run for a Cause!

Join us at Volunteer Landing Park in Knoxville on Saturday, February 8, from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM EST for the 17th annual Cupid’s Chase 5K, hosted by Community Options, Inc. This event is more than just a race—it's an opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the lives of individuals with disabilities.

Whether you’re a runner, walker, or roller (baby strollers and wheelchairs welcome), this event is perfect for participants of all abilities. The race kicks off at 10:00 AM, with check-in beginning at 8:00 AM. The fully accessible course ensures an inclusive and memorable experience for everyone.

Early registration is encouraged to secure the early bird discount and guarantee your Cupid’s Chase shirt. All participants will also receive a Cupid’s Chase drawstring bag and an official finisher medal.

The Cupid’s Chase 5K is a certified race with chipped timing, so you’ll receive accurate results posted immediately after the event. This pet-friendly event welcomes furry friends, but they must remain on leashes at all times.

Your participation and fundraising efforts directly support Community Options, Inc., helping to create opportunities for people with disabilities. Together, we can make a difference.

Mark your calendar, lace up your running shoes, and join us for a day of fun, community, and giving back!

Event Details
📅 Date: Saturday, February 8, 2025
 Time: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM EST (Check-in starts at 8:00 AM)
📍 Location: Volunteer Landing Park, 400 Neyland Drive, Knoxville, TN 37902

We can’t wait to see you there! More Info

Have an event to add? Let us know! [email protected]

Community:

Are you ready to take control of your health and well-being? Join us for the Wellness Essentials Workshop, an informative and engaging session designed to help you optimize your health. January 23 | 6:00–7:30 PM Where: 2589 Willow Point Way, Knoxville, TN 37931 RSVP: Click here to register

Forget ordinary boat shows—the East TN Fishing Show & Expo is so much more! Designed specifically for fishing enthusiasts, this event brings together everything an angler could dream of under one roof. From the latest gear and gadgets to apparel and boats, it’s the ultimate destination for anyone passionate about fishing. This year’s expo, happening January 23–26, 2025, at the Knoxville Expo Center, spans over 100,000 square feet and features hundreds of vendors, including our Title Sponsor, SeaArk Boats. More Info

Dust off your scrunchies, pull out your flannel, and join us for a ’90s Trivia Brunch that will transport you back to the decade of grunge, pop icons, and Saturday morning cartoons! Taking place at Marble City Market on January 25th from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM, this event is packed with nostalgia, laughter, and delicious bites. More Info

Dust off your scrunchies, pull out your flannel, and join us for a ’90s Trivia Brunch that will transport you back to the decade of grunge, pop icons, and Saturday morning cartoons! Taking place at Marble City Market on January 25th from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM, this event is packed with nostalgia, laughter, and delicious bites. More Info

Find recurring events on our Community Events page.

Food:

Tea Flights: offered Mondays - Thursdays at The Spice and Tea Exchange. Limited to 4 people per group at $8.99/person. Call the store for more information (865) 985-0913.

Networking:

Theater & Music

Theater 23 Presents "Three Viewings": take place at the Old City Performing Arts Center, located at 111 State Street, on Thursday-Saturday, January 30th-February 1st, at 7:30pm and Sunday, February 2nd at 2:30pm. Tickets are available at theater23.org/tickets or at the door. For more information, contact [email protected] or call (865) 257-9493.

Veterans:

Free Veteran’s Breakfast: The United Veterans Council of East Tennessee presents 13 free breakfasts for Veterans and guests on four Saturdays, monthly, Coffee line starts at 8am, Chow line starts at 8:30am. Locations and Dates

Whoa Doggie Chili Cook-Off: A Tasty Event for a Great Cause!

Get ready for an afternoon of flavor, fun, and community spirit at the Whoa Doggie Chili Cook-Off, where Knoxville’s finest chili chefs will battle for the top prize. Mark your calendar for Sunday, February 2, 2025, from 2:00 to 5:00 PM, at Sevier Avenue Burger Company, located at 1120 Sevier Avenue.

For just $10, you’ll receive a spoon to sample all the delicious chili entries and the chance to vote for your favorite. Stay until the end to see who is crowned the winner of this year’s cook-off. Your ticket also includes a free draft beer (for guests 21 and older with valid ID) or a fountain soda, and you’ll get 25% off Sevier Avenue Burger Co. appetizers during the event. If cocktails are more your style, handmade creations will be available for purchase from the bar.

Think your chili is the best in town? Enter the competition for a $15 fee and compete for trophies, prizes, gift cards, and the ultimate bragging rights. Every participant receives a bottle of Whoa Doggie Hot Sauce and a Whoa Doggie apron. All chili varieties are welcome, with awards for first, second, and third place.

Proceeds from the event will benefit Dames for Danes Great Dane Rescue of Knoxville. Don’t miss this exciting opportunity to enjoy great food, celebrate community, and support a worthy cause. Bring your appetite and join us for a day filled with fun and deliciousness!! More Info

Join the Ijams Weed Warriors Native Landscape Certification Program

East Tennessee’s native landscapes face a growing threat from exotic and invasive plant species, which disrupt habitats essential to plants, animals, and humans. The Ijams Weed Warriors Program is taking action to restore these landscapes, and now you can join the effort to make a difference in your own community.

This comprehensive, multi-level certification program is designed for individuals and organizations passionate about restoring native habitats where they live and work. Through this step-by-step initiative, participants will:

  • Gain hands-on experience in identifying and removing invasive plant species.

  • Understand the critical role of native and invasive plants in local ecosystems and watersheds.

  • Advocate for native Tennessee landscapes and inspire positive, lasting change in their communities.

By restoring individual properties, Ijams Weed Warriors aim to create a network of native habitats that will enhance biodiversity, balance ecosystems, and promote resilience in East Tennessee’s environment.

The program features three levels, each building on the previous one to deepen your knowledge and skills in invasive plant removal and habitat restoration. Participants can progress at their own pace by completing the required steps for each level.

Take the first step in preserving Tennessee’s natural beauty and ecosystem health. Join the Ijams Weed Warriors Native Landscape Certification Program today and become part of the solution! More Info 

Knoxville Real Estate Insider

Thank you for reading our articles each Saturday! We're taking a short break for Christmas but will return in 2025. See you then!

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