In this Knoxville Insider Issue…

🌤️ Weather | Mostly Cloudy with a High of 76

📰 Sinister Summer Vendor Market: A Chillingly Unique Shopping Experience

📰 Rally for Rowan

📰 Veteran Ready Business Recognition (VRBR) Summit

📰 Fountain City’s Memorial Day Event

🗓️ Upcoming Events

📣 We Want to Spotlight Your Business! Apply Here

✅ Advertising Opportunities
 

Sinister Summer Vendor Market: A Chillingly Unique Shopping Experience

 June 7,  4:00 PM – 9:00 PM at FrightWorks Haunted House (1904 W Emory Rd).

Get ready to embrace the strange and celebrate the spooky at the Sinister Summer Vendor Market—an offbeat shopping event where the eerie and elegant collide! This isn't your typical summer market; it's a one-of-a-kind experience for lovers of all things macabre, mysterious, and downright bewitching.

 What to Expect: Explore a handpicked lineup of vendors offering:

• Gothic decor & dark art

• Halloween-inspired creations

• Alternative fashion & accessories

• Oddities, curiosities, and handmade goods

 Bonus Thrill: FrightWorks Haunt Experience
For the bold and brave, dive into a bone-chilling immersive haunt, hosted by FrightWorks. This ticketed add-on takes you into a summer nightmare where horror and heat collide.

Whether you're a spooky-season fanatic, a collector of the unusual, or just looking for a wickedly fun night out, Sinister Summer promises an atmosphere of eerie excitement and unforgettable finds.

Come shop in the shadows—where summer gets sinister. More Info

Discover all upcoming events on our Community Events page

Upcoming Events:

Get ready for a knightly adventure at Ritterfest 2025, Knoxville’s premier German Knight’s Festival! Now in its third year, this medieval celebration transforms Schulz Bräu into a lively medieval village, complete with battling knights, minstrels, merchants, and more.  Friday, April 11 – Sunday, April 20 at Schulz Bräu Brewing Co.  No Ticket Required – Free Admission! More Info

In this hands-on workshop, you'll explore the art of butter making—from historic colonial churning methods to modern techniques you can try at home. Learn the science behind transforming cream into butter, and even craft your own flavored butters to take home! April 19th, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM at Marble Springs State Historic Site (1220 W. Gov. John Sevier Hwy) More Info

Get ready to boogie! The Radius Disco Dance Party is bringing the funk, the beats, and the good vibes to downtown Knoxville. Whether you’re a disco diva or just looking for a night of fun, this is your chance to hit the dance floor and show off your best moves. April 19, 8:00 PM – 11:30 PM at 507 S Gay St, Knoxville More Info

Get ready to brine and shine at The Greens Oak Ridge (201 Tuskegee Dr) for a day full of pickle-packed fun on Saturday, April 20! Whether you’re a die-hard dill fan or just here for the puns, this quirky, family-friendly event promises something for everyone. More Info

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

Veteran Ready Business Recognition (VRBR) Summit
 Redemption Church | 3550 Pleasant Ridge Rd
May 8 | 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM EST

The Tennessee Department of Veterans Services (TDVS) invites you to the Veteran Ready Business Recognition (VRBR) Summit, a free, half-day event designed to equip businesses with the tools to better recruit, hire, and retain Service Members, Veterans, and their Families (SMVF).

Whether you’re a small business owner, part of a large corporation, or a nonprofit leader, this summit offers practical strategies and powerful insights to help you become a more inclusive and Veteran-ready employer.

 Featured Speakers Include:

• Commissioner Tommy Baker (Major General, Retired), TDVS

• Mayor Glenn Jacobs, Knox County

• Brigadier General (Ret.) Thomas Cauthen, State Chair, ESGR

• Jon Snider, HCA Healthcare

• Justin Cook, First Horizon Bank

• Yasser Ayderis, UT Medical Center

 Key Topics:

• Best practices for hiring and retaining Veterans

• The unmatched value SMVF bring to the workforce

• Networking with industry leaders

• The economic impact of Veterans in Tennessee

 Registration is required. Scan the QR code on the event flyer or visit www.tn.gov/veteran for details.

Let’s create workplaces that honor, support, and empower those who’ve served. See you there!

Celebrate Tradition and Honor at Fountain City’s Memorial Day Event

Fountain City Park on Memorial Day – May 26th | 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Free Admission | Family-Friendly

Fountain City Town Hall, Inc. invites the community to come together for the Honor Fountain City Day in the Park, a beloved Memorial Day tradition since 1975. This free, family-friendly celebration promises a full day of live music, fun activities, and heartfelt tributes.

🎶 Family Activities | 10:00 AM – 3:15 PM
Enjoy performances by:

• Knoxville Pipes and Drums at 10:00 AM

• Fountain City Ramblers at 11:00 AM

• Tennessee Wind Symphony Jazz Band at 2:00 PM

Kids can enjoy games and prizes while exploring booths from the American Red Cross, Knoxville Fire and Police Departments. Shop local craft vendors, snag a Fountain City t-shirt, and grab a bite from food favorites like April’s Grill, Sweet n Sassy Catering, and SnoBiz.

Community Awards Ceremony | 3:15 PM at the Gazebo
Following an invocation by Rev. Jim Whedbee and a patriotic opening ceremony with Boy Scout Troop 55 and vocalist Jacquie Brecheen, former Vice Mayor Nick Pavlis will introduce honored guests. Chair Joyce Lee will present awards for:

• Commercial & Residential Restoration

• Residential Landscaping

• Friend of Fountain City

• Person of the Year

Memorial Day Ceremony | 4:00 PM at the Gazebo
Honor those who served with a moving tribute including:

• “Service and Sacrifice” by John Becker (WBIR Channel 10)

• Patriotic music by Jacquie Brecheen

• CHS ROTC Color Guard and East Tennessee Veterans Honor Guard

Bring your family, celebrate community spirit, and take time to honor our heroes this Memorial Day in Fountain City. More Info

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• Hero or section banners

• Logo

• Video

• Print

• 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]!