In this Knoxville Insider Issue…

🌤️ Weather  | Sunny with a High of 64

📰 The 17th Annual Chalk Walk!

📰 Growing Hope Plant Swap and Horticulture Event

📰  UT Creative Writing Program Presents Chukwuebuka Ibeh

📰 National Vietnam War Veterans Day Commemoration

🗓️ Upcoming Events

📣 We Want to Spotlight Your Business! Apply Here

✅ Advertising Opportunities
 

Knoxville’s Favorite Live Art Event Returns: The 17th Annual Chalk Walk!

Hosted by Dogwood Arts, the 17th Annual Chalk Walk takes over Downtown Knoxville on Saturday, April 5th, from 8 AM to 7:30 PM. More than 300 artists, from kindergarteners to professionals, will transform downtown sidewalks into breathtaking works of chalk art. The City of Knoxville estimates that over 30,000 attendees come out each year to experience this vibrant celebration of creativity!

Visitors can enjoy:

• Live Art Creations – Watch artists bring their visions to life from 8 AM – 5 PM.

•  Food Trucks – Grab a bite from CJ’s Tacos, Mucho Gusto, The Spiffy Spud, Appe Thai, Mama Bear Sweet Treats, King of Pops, and Coast 2 Coast Coffee.

•  Blooming Beer Garden – Sip and stroll through the festivities.

•  Free Water Stations – Bring a refillable bottle and stay hydrated with filtered water from the AB Project.

•  Kids Chalk Free in the First Horizon Fun Zone – Young artists can create their own masterpieces with free chalk, courtesy of First Horizon Bank.

Competitions & Prizes 
Artists will compete in 12 categories, including Elementary, Middle School, High School, College, Adult, Family, and the prestigious "Sidewalk of Fame." A panel of jurors will award cash prizes and ribbons to top creations, and guests can vote for their favorite piece in the People’s Choice Award, presented by WIVK FM-107.7.

Event Details

Saturday, April 5th (Rain Date: April 6th) at Market Square, Downtown Knoxville
Artists at Work: 8 AM – 5 PM Award Ceremony: 7 PM, Market Square Stage

Don’t miss this must-see community event that celebrates creativity, talent, and Knoxville’s thriving arts scene!

For more details, visit Dogwood Arts.

Discover all upcoming events on our Community Events page

Upcoming Events:

The City of Knoxville invites residents of all ages to explore career opportunities at the Job Fair and Career Expo on March 26, from 2:00 to 6:00 PM at the Public Works Service Center (3131 Morris Avenue).

Nestled in the heart of historic downtown Knoxville, the Big Ears Festival is an immersive, boundary-pushing experience that brings together artists and music lovers from all over the world. Over four exhilarating days, festival-goers can explore nearly 200 performances in stunning venues such as restored historic theaters, soaring churches, museums, galleries, and intimate clubs. March 27 – March 30, 2025 | Downtown Knoxville More Info

Get ready for a day of pickle-packed fun at Barrelhouse! Join us for a unique and exciting event filled with exclusive pickle-themed drinks, contests, and local vendors. Whether you’re a pickle enthusiast or just looking for a good time, there’s something for everyone at this one-of-a-kind festival! March 29th, 11:30am - 6:00pm at Barrelhouse (621 Lamar St). More Info

Spring is here, and it’s time to bring your garden to life! Ijams Nature Center’s Mayapple Marketplace is the perfect place to find everything you need to kick off the season. March 30 from 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM at Ijams Nature Center More Info

Step into a storybook world where whimsy and wonder come to life—all for a great cause! CASA of East Tennessee invites you to their Storybook Ball, an enchanting evening dedicated to helping children in need. April 4, 2025 Location: The Press Room Time: 6:00 PM More Info

The Women of Lockerbie presented at St. Gregory Auditorium, Knoxville Catholic High School (9245 Fox Lonas Road). April 4, 5, 10, 11, 12 at 7:30 PM | April 5, 12, 13 at 2:30 PM Tickets & Info: Visit theater23.org

Networking:

See Recurring Weekly & Monthly Networking Events

Veterans:

Free Veteran’s Breakfast: The United Veterans Council of East Tennessee presents 14 free breakfasts for Veterans and guests on four Saturdays, monthly, Coffee line starts at 8am, Chow line starts at 8:30am. Locations and Dates

 UT Creative Writing Program Presents Chukwuebuka Ibeh

The UT Creative Writing Program is excited to present a reading by debut novelist Chukwuebuka Ibeh, named one of the “Most Promising New Voices of Nigerian Fiction” by Electric Literature.

April 7 at Lindsey Young Auditorium, John C. Hodges Library, UT Campus at 7:00 PM
🎟 Free and open to the public

Chukwuebuka Ibeh is a novelist and TEDx speaker from Port Harcourt, Nigeria. His writing has appeared in McSweeney’s, New England Review of Books, and Lolwe. A 2023 Spruceton Inn Artist Resident, he was runner-up for the 2021 J.F. Powers Prize for Fiction and a finalist for the Gerald Kraak Award and Morland Foundation Scholarship.

His debut novel, Blessings, was named highly anticipated by USA Today, Cosmopolitan, The Gentleman’s Journal, The Irish News, and Esquire. It was sold in eight territories, available in five languages, and shortlisted for the 2024 Wilbur Smith Prize.

Ibeh is currently a Teaching Fellow in Fiction at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear from one of the most exciting new voices in fiction today! More Info

National Vietnam War Veterans Day Commemoration

On Saturday, March 29, at 11:00 AM, the Captain Bill Robinson Chapter 1078 of Vietnam Veterans of America will host a solemn and meaningful commemoration in honor of National Vietnam War Veterans Day. The event will take place at the Vietnam Veterans Monument, located at the East Tennessee Veterans Memorial in World’s Fair Park, 525 Henley Street, Knoxville.

This annual observance is dedicated to recognizing and appreciating the service and sacrifices of Vietnam War veterans. The ceremony will feature a Color Guard presentation by the Bearden High School Navy Junior ROTC, underscoring the importance of passing down the values of honor and duty to future generations.

A proclamation from Tennessee Governor Bill Lee will be presented, further emphasizing the state's gratitude and respect for Vietnam War veterans. The keynote address will be delivered by Lt. Gen. Larry D. Nicholson, USMC, Ret., whose distinguished military career and leadership will provide profound insights and reflections on the legacy of Vietnam War veterans.

A series of poignant tributes will be conducted, including the solemn Missing Man Table ceremony, a rifle volley, and the playing of Taps, performed by The Volunteer State Veterans Honor Guard. These symbolic acts serve to honor the memory of those who never returned and remind attendees of the sacrifices made for our nation.

Following the commemoration, refreshments will be provided by Vietnam Veterans of America Honorary Life Member Jackie Bridgeman, offering attendees an opportunity to connect and reflect on the significance of the day.

This event is open to the public, and all are encouraged to attend to show their appreciation for Vietnam War veterans and their enduring contributions to our nation. For more info email:[email protected]

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