In this Knoxville Insider Issue…

🌤️ Weather | Cloudy with a High of 72

📰 Raise a Glass at Martinis at the Mansion – Celebrating 100 Years!

📰 Family Movie Night at Kern's Food Hall

📰 Dark Skies Hike

📰 First-Ever Tennessee River Mussel Fest!

🗓️ Upcoming Events

📣 We Want to Spotlight Your Business! Apply Here

✅ Opportunities
 

Raise a Glass at Martinis at the Mansion – Celebrating 100 Years!

Join us for a dazzling evening of cocktails, cuisine, and celebration at the annual Martinis at the Mansion garden party, happening June 21st at 5 PM at Blount Mansion. This year marks a special milestone as we celebrate 100 years of history and heritage at one of Knoxville’s most cherished landmarks.

Enjoy a relaxing spring evening in the historic mansion's gardens, complete with delicious bites from Classy Caterer, signature martinis, and lively music to set the mood. Whether you're a history buff, partygoer, or just looking for a memorable night out, this is the perfect event to toast to tradition and community.

Don’t miss this elegant celebration—where past and present meet under the summer sky! More Info

Family Movie Night at Kern's Food Hall

Set sail for a swashbuckling good time at Kern’s Food Hall on Tuesday, May 14, from 7 PM to 9 PM! Gather the crew for a special Family Movie Night featuring Pirates of the Caribbean on the big screen. Admission is free and includes complimentary popcorn to keep your hands busy while you watch Captain Jack Sparrow’s high-seas antics.

But that’s not all! Kids can bounce to their heart’s content in our pirate ship bounce house, making this a perfect evening of adventure, laughter, and family fun.

Don’t miss the boat—join us for a night of free fun and pirate-worthy entertainment at Kern’s Food Hall!

Discover all upcoming events on our Community Events page

Upcoming Events:

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

Discover the Magic of the Night: Dark Skies Hike at Seven Islands State Birding Park

Celebrate the beauty of the night during a special Dark Skies Hike at Seven Islands State Birding Park on Monday, May 27, from 8:30 PM to 10:00 PM. Held under a new moon, this guided evening walk offers a rare chance to stargaze without interference from moonlight. With the stars and constellations shining their brightest, participants will enjoy a tranquil and awe-inspiring experience in nature.

If clouds obscure the sky, the adventure continues with a focus on the park’s nocturnal wildlife. From the haunting calls of owls to the croaks of frogs and rustling of other creatures of the night, the evening promises to be full of natural wonder.

The hike is suitable for ages 8 and up and covers approximately two miles on mostly paved trails. Participants should meet at the Bluebird Barn at 8:30 PM and be prepared for light walking, skywatching (weather permitting), and nighttime wildlife observation. The cost is $12 per participant.

Come reconnect with nature and explore the peaceful side of the park after dark!! More Info

Dive into Conservation at the First-Ever Tennessee River Mussel Fest!

Get ready to celebrate the unsung heroes of our waterways at the inaugural Tennessee River Mussel Fest, happening Saturday, May 17 from 10 AM to 2 PM at Seven Islands State Birding Park. This exciting and educational event is perfect for families, nature lovers, and anyone curious about freshwater ecosystems.

Hosted in partnership with Keep the Tennessee River Beautiful, the UT Department of Earth, Environmental, & Planetary Sciences, Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, TVA, and other conservation partners, the festival shines a spotlight on the vital role freshwater mussels play in keeping our rivers clean and healthy.

Festival highlights include:

• A special release of 200 Wavy-rayed mussels into the French Broad River

• Juvenile mussel placement into the park’s Adopt-a-Mussel silos

• A live demonstration showing how mussels naturally filter and clean dirty water

• Fun, educational games like Mussel Memory Match

• A Touch-a-Mussel Station for hands-on learning

Admission is free, and all ages are welcome. Come explore, learn, and help protect our incredible river ecosystems! More Info

Become a Knoxville Insider Sponsor

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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]!