In this Knoxville Insider Issue…

🌤️ Weather | Light Rain with a High of 68

📰 Scotland in the Smokies

📰 Celebrate Summer at the Lavender Festival

📰 WaterFest 2025

📰 Southern Skies Music Festival - THIS WEEKEND!

🗓️ Upcoming Events

📣 We Want to Spotlight Your Business! Apply Here

✅ Advertising Opportunities
 

Scotland in the Smokies: The 43rd Smoky Mountain Scottish Festival & Games Returns to Townsend

The hills of East Tennessee will come alive with the sound of bagpipes as the 43rd Smoky Mountain Scottish Festival and Games returns to Townsend on May 17–18, 2025! A celebration of Scottish, Irish, and Celtic heritage, this is Tennessee’s oldest festival of its kind, offering an unforgettable weekend of music, culture, food, and family fun.

Set against the stunning backdrop of the Great Smoky Mountains, this beloved festival brings together folk, roots, rock, and pop performers, thrilling displays of Highland athletics, pipes and drums, and lively Highland and Irish dance performances. Whether you're a first-time visitor or a returning clan member, there’s something for everyone.

Festivalgoers can also enjoy whisky tastings, shop from a variety of authentic vendors, and sample traditional foods and drinks from Scotland, Ireland, and the British Isles. With its wide range of activities and welcoming atmosphere, it’s the perfect outing for families, friends, and culture enthusiasts.

Don your tartan and get ready to celebrate the spirit of the Highlands in the heart of Appalachia!

📅 When: May 17–18, 2025
📍 Where: Townsend, TN
🔗 Details & Tickets: www.smokymountaingames.org

Scotland in the Smokies is calling—you don’t want to miss it!

Celebrate Summer at the Lavender Festival and Taste Tennessee Wines in Oak Ridge – June 21, 2025

Mark your calendar for Saturday, June 21, as Jackson Square in Oak Ridge transforms into a hub of art, music, and natural wellness during the highly anticipated Lavender Festival — a free community event from 8 AM to 4 PM.

Enjoy a day of exploration with over 150 artisan vendors, live music, children’s activities, and a variety of presentations on herbal topics, all in the vibrant setting of historic Jackson Square.

But that’s not all—wine lovers, take note! From 10:30 AM to 2:30 PM, head to 301 Broadway Ave. for "Taste Tennessee Wines," a delightful wine-tasting experience benefiting the United Way of Anderson County. Sample 24 outstanding Tennessee wines, and take home your favorites!

Please note: While certified service animals are welcome, pets are not permitted in the wine tasting area.

Don't miss this full day of sipping, shopping, and celebrating local flavors and craftsmanship in the heart of Oak Ridge! More Info

Discover all upcoming events on our Community Events page

Upcoming Events:

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). Redemption Church | 3550 Pleasant Ridge Rd May 8 | 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM www.tn.gov/veteran

Meet Bestselling Author Jeff Zentner – May 9th at the East Tennessee History Center; Zentner, known for The Serpent King, In the Wild Light, and Colton Gentry’s Third Act, will share stories behind his writing, insights into his creative process, and answer your questions in an engaging Q&A. Union Ave Books will be on-site with titles available for purchase and signing. More Info

Get ready to scream (with excitement)! FrankenCon is back for its fourth year, bringing horror fans from all over together to celebrate all things creepy, crawly, and cult-classic cool. Whether you’re a slasher superfan, creature feature connoisseur, or nostalgic for '80s horror gems—this is the weekend for you. May 9 | 4:00 PM – May 10 | 8:00 PM (Doors open at 3:30 PM)  Hilton Knoxville Airport, 2001 Alcoa Highway More Info

Spring is in full bloom, and there’s no better way to welcome the season than with Maifest at Schulz Bräu Brewing Company, happening May 9th through May 11th in the heart of Knoxville! This beloved three-day festival is a cheerful blend of traditional German celebration, local flavor, and good old-fashioned fun. More Info

Game On! A LEGO® Camp Adventure for Young Gamers; From May 26th to May 30th, campers ages 5–11 will dive into exciting building challenges and hands-on activities inspired by their favorite video game characters—all designed to boost creativity, problem-solving, and STEM skills through the magic of LEGO® bricks. 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

WaterFest 2025: Wild for Water Returns May 7 at Ijams Nature Center

Get ready to make a splash at WaterFest 2025: Wild for Water, happening Wednesday, May 7, 2025, at Ijams Nature Center! Hosted by the Water Quality Forum (WQF), this beloved annual event is set to welcome more than 1,000 K-5 students from Knox County, Lenoir City, and Oak Ridge, including public, private, and homeschool participants.

WaterFest is the Water Quality Forum’s largest educational outreach event, and this year’s theme, “Wild for Water,” will highlight how wildlife depends on clean water, the importance of the water cycle, and the actions we can take to protect our water resources.

Over 15 community partners will join forces to lead interactive, hands-on learning experiences. From live animal demonstrations to science experiments and nature walks, students will be immersed in fun and informative activities that bring water science to life. Participating organizations include Ijams Nature Center, The University of Tennessee-Knoxville, Conservation Fisheries, Tennessee Valley Authority, McClung Museum of Natural History and Culture, Zoo Knoxville, and many more.

For more information or media inquiries, please contact: Jayne Willard
📧 [email protected]
📱 336-401-6370

Together, we can nurture a new generation of water-wise environmental stewards who are truly wild for water!

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