In this Knoxville Insider Issue…

🌤️ Weather | Light Rain with a High of 84

📰 Experience the Excitement at Tennessee’s Largest Pop Culture Event

🗓️ July Gardening Events with Knox County Master Gardeners

🗓️ ARC July Health and Happiness Events

🗓️ Upcoming Events

📣 We Want to Spotlight Your Business! Apply Here

✅ Advertising Opportunities
 

Experience the Excitement at Tennessee’s Largest Pop Culture Event – Fanboy Expo!

Get ready for an unforgettable weekend at Fanboy Expo, Tennessee’s largest pop culture celebration! Drawing over 30,000 fans each summer, this epic event returns to the Knoxville Convention Center from July 11–13, 2025 with something for everyone.

Meet Celebrity Guests
Rub elbows with an exciting lineup of stars from film, TV, and pop culture. Past events have featured fan-favorites from franchises like Star Wars, The Walking Dead, Stranger Things, WWE, and more!

Comic Industry Pros
Connect with top comic creators and artists, get your favorite issues signed, and discover new indie talent.

Cosplay Galore
Whether you’re a seasoned cosplayer or just love to admire the creativity, the cosplay community shines bright at Fanboy Expo. Don’t miss the costume contests and photo ops!

 Shop 'Til You Drop
Explore a massive vendor floor packed with collectibles, artwork, apparel, games, and rare finds for every fandom.

 Live Entertainment & Panels
Enjoy Q&A sessions, fan panels, performances, and other interactive experiences all weekend long.

Don’t Miss Out!
Whether you're a hardcore collector, pop culture enthusiast, or just looking for a fun weekend, Fanboy Expo has it all.

For tickets, guest announcements, and the full event schedule, visit: www.fanboyexpo.com

Discover all upcoming events on our Community Events page

Upcoming Events:

Mark your calendars! The Jefferson County Fair is back from July 8–12, 2025, bringing five nights of fun, food, and family-friendly entertainment. Gates open daily at 5 PM, and admission is $10 cash only for adults and children ages 7 and older. Children 6 and under get in free, and parking is free for everyone! More Info

Step back in time and reconnect with nature during the Edible and Medicinal Plant Walk at Seven Islands State Birding Park on July 9 from 6:00–8:00 PM. Led by Ranger Clare, this fascinating hike will introduce participants to plants that have long been used for healing and nourishment—long before modern pharmacies and grocery stores existed. More Info

Get ready, Knoxville! The Foodees Food and Culture Festival, the #1 touring food truck festival in the Southeast, is rolling into Chilhowee Park from July 11 to July 13, and it’s bringing a weekend full of flavor, fun, and community spirit! More Info

Get ready for an unforgettable evening of magic, movement, and moonlight! On July 12, 2025, from 7:00–9:30 PM, Knoxville Aerial Arts and Ijams Nature Center invite you to experience The Circus Under the Moon—a breathtaking outdoor show that brings together the region’s most talented performers for a night of awe and wonder. More Info

The 2025 Tennessee Pickle Festival is back and bigger than ever—happening July 12 from 10 AM to 4 PM at the Putnam County Fairgrounds in Cookeville, TN! 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

July Gardening Events with Knox County Master Gardeners

The July heat isn’t stopping the Knox County Master Gardeners (KCMG) from digging into a month full of educational and hands-on gardening events. Whether you're new to gardening or a seasoned green thumb, there's something for everyone.

Garden Classroom: Problems & Pests

• July 12 | 9:30–11:30 a.m.
  Payne Avenue Missionary Baptist Church, 2714 Martin Luther King Blvd.

• July 19 | 1:30–3:30 p.m.
  Beardsley Community Farm, 1741 Reynolds Street
  Learn how to identify and manage common garden problems and pests. Each session includes one hour of instruction followed by an open Q&A.
  Register by emailing: [email protected]

Guided Nature Walk at Collier Preserve

• July 15 | 7 p.m.
  316 W. Emory Road, parking at Powell Branch Library
  Take a stroll through Collier Preserve with a Master Gardener guide and discover what’s growing in this beautiful KCMG project site.

 Ask a Master Gardener: Norwood Branch Library

• July 19 | 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
  1110 Merchant Drive
  Master Gardener Cid Letsinger will be available to answer your gardening questions in person.

Master Gardeners at Local Farmers’ Markets
Throughout July, KCMG volunteers will also be available at the following markets to answer questions and provide gardening tips:

• Dixie Lee at Renaissance

• Ebenezer Road

• Tellico Village

• New Harvest Park

• Market Square
  Ask online anytime: Ask a Master Gardener

Garden Work Day at Racheff Gardens & Arboretum

• July 24 | 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
  1943 Tennessee Ave
  Join Master Gardeners and garden club members for a volunteer work day at this historic garden. Tasks include pruning, removing invasives, and general beautification.
  Contact: Nancy Howell at [email protected] for details.

For a full list of events, visit: KCMG Events & News

KCMG is a nonprofit organization and a joint program of the University of Tennessee and Tennessee State University Cooperative Extension Services.

Become a Knoxville Insider Sponsor

Are you a brand new or established business looking to become known in our Knoxville Insider community? We are looking for locally-owned business that would like to become a Knoxville Insider sponsor! Sponsorships can include:

• 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]!