Spring Blooms and Art Abounds

Issue #502

24 Apr

In this Knoxville Insider Issue…

🌤️ Weather | Light Rain with a High of 72

📰 Find Your Next Favorite Read!

📰 Veteran Ready Business Summit

🗓️ Upcoming Events

📣 We Want to Spotlight Your Business! Apply Here

✅ Advertising Opportunities
 

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Today’s Record High: 93 in 1925 — Record Low: 28 in 1986


The Knoxville Insider is for you, our readers. We encourage you to share your news, local hero stories, events, and more! Email us at [email protected].

Spring Blooms and Art Abounds: The Dogwood Arts Festival Returns to Knoxville!

As the vibrant hues of blooming dogwood trees paint the East Tennessee landscape, Knoxville eagerly anticipates the return of a beloved tradition: the Dogwood Arts Festival! Now celebrating its 64th year, this cherished event will transform World’s Fair Park into a vibrant hub of creativity and community from April 25th to 27th.

Mark your calendars and prepare to immerse yourself in a weekend brimming with fine art, captivating live music, engaging hands-on activities, and delightful family fun. Spanning the Performance Lawn, Amphitheatre, and the scenic greenways, the festival promises an unforgettable experience for all ages. This year’s edition is set to impress once again, showcasing the talents of 100 juried artists, offering a diverse array of mediums and styles to explore. Prepare to be serenaded by 38 live performances spanning various genres, creating the perfect soundtrack to your festival experience.

Don't Miss the Maker Experience!

In an exciting partnership with The Maker City and KnoxMakers, the festival will feature an expanded hands-on area. Get ready to unleash your inner artist with free live demonstrations and a variety of engaging $10 workshops, including woodworking, printmaking, tea-making, and much more! These interactive activities are designed for all ages, offering a fantastic opportunity to learn new skills and create lasting memories.

Discover Emerging Talent

New this year, be sure to visit the Emerging Maker Tent, opening on Sunday, April 27th. This special feature will showcase the work of 20 talented up-and-coming artists making their debut in a professional art fair setting. It's a wonderful chance to support new talent and discover unique pieces.

A Feast for the Senses

Beyond the art and activities, the Dogwood Arts Festival offers a delectable selection of local food trucks to satisfy your cravings. Quench your thirst with craft beer from Cherokee Distributing and enjoy expertly crafted cocktails by Sugarlands Distilling.

Families will especially appreciate the Kid’s Creation Station, sponsored by ORNL Federal Credit Union. This dedicated area will offer free and engaging creative activities for children throughout the entire weekend.

Mark your calendars with these essential details:

  • Dates: April 25-27, 2025

  • Location: World’s Fair Park (Performance Lawn, Amphitheatre, Greenway)

    • 963 World's Fair Park Drive, Knoxville, TN 37916

  • Festival Hours:

    • Friday & Saturday: 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM

    • Sunday: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM

  • Website: https://www.dogwoodarts.com/dogwoodartsfestival

Don't miss this incredible opportunity to celebrate the beauty of spring and the vibrant arts community of Knoxville! Gather your friends and family and head to World’s Fair Park for a weekend of creativity, community, and fun at the Dogwood Arts Festival. We can't wait to see you there!

Stock Up and Support: Friends of the Library Host Spring Used Book Sales!

Knoxville bookworms, get ready to discover your next literary treasure! The Friends of the Knox County Public Library are holding two fantastic Used Book Sales this spring, offering a wonderful opportunity to snag gently used books at incredible prices while supporting your local libraries.

This dedicated volunteer-run nonprofit is hosting sales at two convenient locations:

  • Farragut Branch Used Book Sale: April 25–26, 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM

  • Bearden Branch Used Book Sale: May 2–3, 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM

At each sale, you'll find a diverse collection of books spanning fiction, nonfiction, children’s literature, cookbooks, biographies, and much more. With everything carefully sorted and affordably priced, there’s sure to be a new favorite waiting for every reader, from casual enthusiasts to avid collectors.

So, come explore the shelves, find your next favorite read, and support the Knox County Public Library! For more information, visit www.knoxfriends.org or follow the Friends on Facebook for updates and sneak peeks of the book selections!

Discover all upcoming events on our Community Events page

Upcoming Events:

Knoxville’s ultimate board gaming event is back for its 5th year! Fun K-Town is family game night on a whole new level, where your family includes hundreds of board game enthusiasts and you have nearly 1,000 games to choose from! April 25 (12 PM) – April 27 (6 PM) at Knoxville Convention Center | 701 Henley Street, Knoxville, TN More Info

Get ready for a "purrfect" night of music and community spirit as Happy Paws Kitten Rescue brings back their annual fundraising concert—LollaPAWlooza: Mewsic to the Rescue! April 26 | 6 PM | The Open Chord More Info

Mark your calendars for an evening of delicious food, community, and giving back! Our 2nd Annual Pasta with a Purpose is more than just a meal—it’s a chance to support our weekly meal service program, which provides warm, nutritious meals to those in need. Saturday, April 26 from 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM (dinner begins at 6:00PM) at St. John’s Lutheran Church (544 N Broadway) Purchase your tickets in advance at https://apattknox.com/events/pasta-with-a-purpose/ to save!

Spring is heating up at Cool Beans with the return of the Annual Crawfish Boil—and you won’t want to miss this all-you-can-eat Southern-style feast! Saturday, April 26 | 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM  Cool Beans Bar & Grill, 1817 Lake Avenue  Live Music | SweetWater Brews | All-You-Can-Eat Crawfish

Tate’s School and Tate’s Camp invite families to their 16th Annual Open House—the only day of the year the public gets to experience this one-of-a-kind campus! April 26, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM at Tate’s School (Entrance on N. Cedar Bluff Rd, next to Verizon) More Info

Love beer? Love talking about beer? Want to learn more? Join us for an exclusive brewery tour and tasting experience at Printshop Beer Co. April 26, 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM at Printshop Beer Co. More Info

Networking:

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

There’s Still Time to Register for the 7th Annual Veterans Heritage Ridge Run!

Lace up your trail shoes and show your support for East Tennessee veterans—the 7th Annual Veterans Heritage Ridge Run is just around the corner, and registration is still open! Taking place on Saturday, April 26, 2025, this beloved community event brings together families, runners, and patriots for a great cause: supporting the ongoing development and maintenance of Sharps Ridge Veterans Memorial Park.

Hosted at Lincoln Park Technology Trade School (535 Chickamauga Ave), the Ridge Run begins at the ceremonial area before winding through the scenic, wooded hills of Sharps Ridge’s marked trail system. Participants can choose from three distinct options:

  • 5K Timed Trail Run – Perfect for those ready to challenge themselves on the rugged terrain.

  • 1-Mile Family Fun Walk – An enjoyable, all-ages way to stroll through the natural beauty of Sharps Ridge.

  • 10K Ruck Race – A unique endurance event where participants carry weighted rucksacks to honor the sacrifices of our military.

Each course offers a unique way to engage with nature and community, all while honoring the legacy of our local veterans.

Ample parking is available at designated spots throughout the neighborhood, and shuttle service is offered for anyone who needs assistance getting to the starting point.

Proceeds from the Ridge Run directly support the construction and upkeep of Sharps Ridge Veterans Memorial Park, a sacred space dedicated to honoring the service and sacrifice of East Tennessee veterans. Whether you're running in memory of a loved one, showing your appreciation for those who’ve served, or just looking for a meaningful way to connect with your community—this event is for you.

Don’t wait—register now and be part of something powerful.
To sign up or learn more, visit: www.veteransheritage.org

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