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Stargazing at Obed Wild & Scenic River: A Night Under the Stars
Issue #424
In this Knoxville Insider Issue…
🌤️ Weather | Cloudy with a High of 64
📰 Full Snow Moon Night Hike at Ijams
📰 Upcoming Events with Trees Knoxville
📰 We're Celebrating Locally Owned Business
🗓️ Upcoming Events
📣 We Want to Spotlight Your Business! Apply Here
✅ Advertising Opportunities
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Today’s Record High: 73 in 2008 — Record Low: -8 in 1996
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Stargazing at Obed Wild & Scenic River: A Night Under the Stars
Mark your calendars for an incredible evening of stargazing on February 28th at Lilly Bluff Overlook! The night sky will showcase a rare celestial event, with seven planets—Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and Mercury—forming a grand arch. The new moon ensures dark skies, making it the perfect time to witness this stunning display.
Date: February 28, 2025
Time: 7:30 PM to 9:00 PM ET
Location: Lilly Bluff Overlook, Obed Wild & Scenic River
Cost: Free and open to the public—no registration required
Parking: Available in the Lilly Bluff area
Trail Info: A short and easy 0.3-mile walk to the overlook (each way)
Telescopes will be provided, and a park ranger will guide you in spotting the planets. Whether you’re an astronomy enthusiast or simply curious about the night sky, this event is a unique opportunity to explore and learn more about the cosmos.
Dress warmly! Cooler temperatures make for crisp, clear skies but can be chilly—layers are recommended.
Don’t miss this chance to marvel at the universe’s wonders. Gather your family and friends and experience the magic of the night sky together! More Info

Full Snow Moon Night Hike at Ijams
Join Ijams Nature Center for a guided night hike under February’s full Snow Moon. This 1.5-hour walk will take place on February 12, 2025, from 8:30 PM to 10:00 PM. Participants will explore the trails after dark with Ijams naturalists, learning about the night sky while discovering nocturnal wildlife, unique plants, and geological features. Blacklights and headlamps will be provided.
Event Details:
Location: Ijams Nature Center, 2915 Island Home Ave, Knoxville, TN
Date & Time: February 12, 2025, 8:30 PM – 10:00 PM
Ages: 10 and up
Distance: Up to 2 miles on uneven terrain with several stopping points
This event offers a unique opportunity to experience nature in a new way. 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.
Find recurring events on our Community Events page.
Community:
Join us as we welcome local author, Taila Cantrell. Taila writes across several genres, including paranormal romance, reverse harem, mystery, urban fantasy, and more. Enjoy a delicious lunch and check out her “Reclaiming Wonderland” series. February 5th 11a-2p at The Kraken’s Cup More Info
Join us for a night full of fun cookie decorating! Grab your girls, a date, or come ready to make new friends while learning basic cookie decorating techniques. You will take home six of your very own football themed cookie creations, as well as Hope's own icing and sugar cookie recipes. Tea and a scone are included in the cost of your ticket. Payment of $45 is due via invoice or Venmo to reserve your spot. Class size is limited, so reserve your seat today! February 5th 6p-8p at The Kraken’s Cup More Info
Mark your calendars for Thursday, February 6, from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM, and join us at the Knoxville Botanical Garden and Arboretum for the Knoxville Volunteer Rotary Bourbon Event. This special evening offers an exceptional opportunity to sample a variety of premium bourbons from local distilleries, all while surrounded by the breathtaking beauty of the garden. More Info
Networking:
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



Bigfoot Adventure at Fort Dickerson Park
Join the hunt for Bigfoot at Fort Dickerson Park on Sunday, February 16, 2025, from 10 AM to 4 PM EST. This exciting in-person event is designed to challenge your problem-solving skills and teamwork abilities as you explore the park, solving puzzles, riddles, and clues along the way.
Gather your friends, family, or colleagues and put your creativity to the test. Can you beat the clock and uncover the mystery of Bigfoot?
Location: Fort Dickerson Park, 3000 Fort Dickerson Road, Knoxville, TN
Date & Time: February 16, 2025, 10 AM – 4 PM
Don’t miss this unique opportunity to experience the park in a whole new way. Book your tickets now for a day of adventure and excitement! More Info

Upcoming Events with Trees Knoxville
Trees Knoxville, a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving and expanding Knoxville’s tree canopy, has several community events scheduled for February. Volunteers of all skill levels are invited to help plant trees alongside Trees Knoxville staff and urban forester volunteers. Tools, gloves, and a planting demonstration will be provided on-site.
“Volunteers can make a tangible impact on their community by participating,” said Melissa Hinten, executive director of Trees Knoxville. Participants will also learn proper tree planting techniques. Additionally, tree giveaway programs are planned for select events.
February Events:
Feb. 8: Old Gray Cemetery Planting, 9–11 a.m.
Feb. 15: Mechanicsville Planting, 9–11 a.m.
Other Upcoming Events:
Mar. 1: Reforestation event at Baker Creek Preserve, 9–11 a.m., followed by a tree giveaway from 11 a.m.–noon.
Apr. 5: TreeFest at Caswell Park, 10 a.m.–noon, with a tree giveaway from noon–2 p.m.
Volunteers are encouraged to register in advance for event details. Closed-toed shoes and drinking water are recommended. To sign up or learn more, visit www.treesknoxville.org/events.
We're Celebrating Locally Owned Business
In 2025, we're celebrating locally owned businesses! If you'd like us to stop by, learn more about what you do, and feature you in our daily newsletter, we'd love to connect. Send us a message or email us at [email protected] today!


Knoxville Real Estate Insider
The Truth About VA Loans (Issue 025)
Do you have specific real estate questions you'd like answered? Submit a Question. A realtor will have an answer for you in the next issue of the Knoxville Real Estate Insider.
Are you a local realtor selling a home or property? Do you have an upcoming open house? Let us know at [email protected] or (865) 234-2421! We can include them here.
Become a Knoxville Insider Sponsor
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Hero or section banners
Logo
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Spotlight Directory
and more…
Reach out to us at [email protected].
We Want To Spotlight Local Businesses!
Would you like us to spotlight your local business in front of thousands of Knoxville area residents in an upcoming issue of Knoxville Insider? Apply Here. Not a business owner, but love a local business? Tell us all about it - send us an email at [email protected]!
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