In this Knoxville Insider Issue…

🌤️ Weather | Light Rain with a High of 84

📰 Big Fun Tuesday: Tie Dye Party at Mead’s Quarry

📰 FREE Women's Self-Defense Workshop

📰 Smoky Mountain Quilters 2025 Quilt Show

📰 Meet the Author & Savor the Story at RiverView Family Farm Market

🗓️ Upcoming Events

📣 We Want to Spotlight Your Business! Apply Here

✅ Advertising Opportunities
 

Big Fun Tuesday: Tie Dye Party at Mead’s Quarry

Get ready to splash into summer with color and creativity! Join Ijams Nature Center for an all-ages Tie Dye Party at Mead’s Quarry on Tuesday, July 1, from 6:00 PM to 8:30 PM as part of their Big Fun Tuesday series.

What to Expect:

• Bring your own pre-washed item (shirt, bandana, etc.), and Ijams will supply the dye and tools to help you craft a wearable masterpiece.

• Tie-dye fun begins around 6:30 PM, but come early and enjoy everything the quarry has to offer!

Bonus Activities:

• The Appalachian Mountain Bike Club kicks off their social ride at 6 PM.

• River Sports Outfitters will have kayaks and paddleboards available for rental.

• Take a dip in Mead’s Quarry Lake to cool off before the crafting begins!

Food + Drink:

• A local food truck will be on-site for dinner.

• The Ijams Beer Garden will be serving up a variety of adult beverages, non-alcoholic drinks, and snacks.

No admission fee, but donations are welcome to support Ijams programs.
RSVP is requested to help organizers plan for dye quantities.

Come make memories, get messy, and celebrate summer in the most colorful way possible!

Location: Mead’s Quarry, Knoxville, TN 37920
 Time: 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Don't forget your towel if you plan to swim! More Info

Knoxville women—this one’s for YOU!

Whether you're a mom, student, professional, or simply want to feel more empowered and prepared, this FREE Women's Self-Defense Workshop will give you the knowledge and tools to defend yourself and your loved ones. July 12, 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM, Location: Stephen Strouss Taekwondo & Krav Maga (1505 Downtown West Blvd)

What You’ll Learn:

• Situational awareness (because prevention is power!)

• Wrist escapes

• Hair grab escapes

• Elbow, hand, and knee strikes

• Other practical self-defense techniques that are easy to learn and effective

Taught in a safe, supportive environment, this workshop will help you build confidence while learning essential skills. Content is presented at a PG-13 level, and the class is open to teens and adults.

Why Attend?

• It’s FREE and open to the community

• You'll learn practical, real-world self-defense

• Great bonding experience with other strong women

• It just might save your life—or someone else's

Space is limited—RSVP now!
 [email protected] | 865-240-1698

Take the first step toward protecting yourself. Join us on July 12 and walk away stronger, smarter, and more confident. 

Discover all upcoming events on our Community Events page

Upcoming Events:

Mark your calendars and join us in celebrating the longest day of the year with the sweet sounds of bluegrass music at the Bluegrass Summer Solstice concert! Enjoy an evening of toe-tapping tunes honoring one of Tennessee’s oldest and most beloved musical traditions. June 20 | 6 PM–8 PM at  Mayor Ralph McGill Plaza, 101 N Campbell Station Rd, Farragut More Info

Mark your calendars for a magical evening in nature at Seven Islands State Birding Park on June 20 from 7:30–9:30 PM! Celebrate the longest day of the year with an unforgettable mix of friendly competition, campfire treats, and summer serenity. More Info

Celebrate the longest day of the year with toe-tappin’ tunes and summery vibes at the Bluegrass Summer Solstice Celebration, proudly presented by Visit Farragut and Farragut Parks & Recreation! June 20 | 6–8 PM | Mayor Ralph McGill Plaza | 101 N Campbell Station Rd More Info

Master gardener Cid Letsinger will answer garden and plant questions at the Norwood Branch Library on Saturday, June 21st from 10 a.m. - noon. The library is located at 1110 Merchant Dr. Other master gardeners will be at community farmer’s markets in June, including those at Dixie Lee at Renaissance, Ebenezer Road, Tellico Village, New Harvest Park and Market Square. 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

Smoky Mountain Quilters 2025 Quilt Show: A Celebration of Craft and Creativity

Get ready to be dazzled by color, creativity, and craftsmanship at the Smoky Mountain Quilters 2025 Quilt Show, happening June 20–21 at the Knoxville Expo Center, 5441 Clinton Highway. This annual event brings together over 200 stunning quilts from across the country, all competing for more than $7,800 in prize money!

Event Dates & Times

• June 20 | 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

• June 21 | 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Quilt Competition
Quilts will compete across 14 categories, including a special Junior Division (age 16 and under) and 14 special awards. Entry submissions open January 1 and close April 12 (or once capacity is reached)—so submit early if you want to participate!

Featured Events

• Antique Quilt Turning (Friday at 11 AM & 1 PM) with Merikay Waldvogel, Jan Wass, and Cindy Stuart

• “Go Tell It!” Storytelling Project with the Quilt Alliance – share your quilt stories for preservation

• Quilt Appraisals by certified appraiser Cindy Stuart (appointment required – call 865-386-0940)

More to Explore

• Boutique with handcrafted items by guild members

• Vendors offering quilting supplies and more

• Scavenger hunt for kids and the young at heart

This is a must-see event for quilt lovers, crafters, and families! For more details or to submit a quilt, visit www.smokymtnquilters.com

Meet the Author & Savor the Story at RiverView Family Farm Market

Spend a sweet summer evening immersed in storytelling, nostalgia, and a touch of mystery at RiverView Family Farm Market! Local Knoxville author Taylor Martin will be joining us for a special event celebrating her evocative novel, The Club by the Sea. 📍 RiverView Family Farm Market – 12131 Prater Lane | June 26 | 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM

 Grab a scoop of your favorite frozen treat, meet Taylor Martin in person, and hear the inspiration behind her latest work. Whether you’re a book lover, history buff, or jazz enthusiast, this unique literary experience is not to be missed.

Copies of The Club by the Sea will be available for purchase at the market—perfect for getting your summer reading off to a memorable start!

About the Book:

Set against the haunting beauty of Big Sur, The Club by the Sea follows Clark James, an ambitious jazz singer bound by a mysterious post-WWII contract that leaves him ageless and trapped at the once-glamorous Sea House. Decades later, when real estate developer Neal Smith acquires the derelict club, a hidden past comes to light—revealed through the eyes of his grandmother, Amelia, and her long-forgotten love affair with Clark.

💬 Bring your questions, your curiosity—and your sweet tooth—for an evening that blends literature, music, and a touch of the supernatural.

We can't wait to see you there! More Info

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• Hero or section banners

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• and more…

Reach out to us at [email protected].

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