In this Knoxville Insider Issue…

🌤️ Weather | Light Rain with a High of 78

📰 Between the Lakes Blues Festival

📰 Kids Take Over the GSM Heritage Center

📰 Gatlinburg Brewing Company's 4th Annual Homebrew Competition

📰 Southern Skies Music Festival - THIS WEEKEND!

🗓️ Upcoming Events

📣 We Want to Spotlight Your Business! Apply Here

✅ Advertising Opportunities
 

Between the Lakes Blues Festival

Get ready for a soulful celebration in downtown Morristown! The Between the Lakes Blues Festival is set for Saturday, May 31, 2025, from 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM at the Rose Center Museum, located at 442 West 2nd North Street. Doors open at 11:45 AM.

This family-friendly event, curated by the Smoky Mountain Blues Society, promises a full day of incredible live blues music, craft beer by 1907 Brewing Company, and children’s activities brought to life by Spacewalk Morristown.

Tickets:

• $10 in advance (adults)

• $15 at the gate (adults)

• Children 12 and under attend free

Whether you’re a longtime blues fan or just looking for a great way to kick off your summer, this celebration of blues, blooms, and brews is not to be missed. Join the Morristown community for music, fun, and Southern soul under the East Tennessee sky! More Info

Kids Take Over the GSM Heritage Center

Get ready for a day of family fun and learning as kids take over the Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center on Saturday, May 10, from 10 AM to 4 PM!

This special event is packed with hands-on activities that bring Appalachian history to life. Young explorers can dive into crafts, games, and demonstrations that showcase the rich traditions of East Tennessee — from blacksmithing and butter churning to storytelling and more.

It’s an engaging, educational, and exciting way for kids to connect with the past while making new memories in the present. Bring the whole family and experience Appalachian heritage like never before! 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

Gatlinburg Brewing Company's 4th Annual Homebrew Competition

Beer lovers, mark your calendars! Gatlinburg Brewing Company is hosting its 4th Annual Homebrew Competition on Saturday, May 17, from 12 PM to 3 PM at their location on 870 Winfield Dunn Parkway, Suite 4.

This year, YOU get to be the judge! Sample a variety of creative and unique homebrews, meet fellow beer enthusiasts, and cast your vote for your favorite. With a laid-back atmosphere, great food, and even better brews, it’s the perfect way to spend a Saturday.

Tickets include:

• A branded pint glass

• Unlimited beer samples

• Voting tickets

• 25% off food

Must be 21+ with valid ID to receive a glass and samples. Don’t miss out on this hop-filled celebration of local brewing talent—see you there! More Info

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