14th Annual Fall Festival at Little Ponderosa Zoo & Rescue

Issue #633

06 Sep

In this Knoxville Insider Issue…

🌤️ Weather | Light Rain with a High of 72

📰 14th Annual Fall Festival at Little Ponderosa Zoo & Rescue

🗓️ Double, Double Tea and Trouble! - A Spook-tacular Tea Party

🗓️ Upcoming Events

📣 We Want to Spotlight Your Business! Apply Here

✅ Advertising Opportunities
 

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Today’s Record High: 101 in 1954 — Record Low: 47 in 1984

Knox County Master Gardeners Honored with Five International Awards

The Knox County Master Gardeners (KCMG) have achieved a historic milestone, earning five international awards at the 2025 International Extension Master Gardener Conference, held August 25–28. This marks the largest number of awards the organization has ever received on the global stage through the prestigious David Gibby International Master Gardener Search for Excellence Awards, which honor the most impactful and innovative community gardening projects.

Taking top honors was the Tennessee Smart Yards and Friends Festival, a program hosted at the UT Gardens that helps homeowners adopt sustainable landscaping practices, from composting and rainwater capture to planting natives and reducing pesticide use. Other award-winning projects included Garden Classroom, which teaches year-round food-growing skills and addresses food insecurity; the BLOOM Center program for individuals with special needs; the Hardin Valley Elementary Learning Garden, engaging students in hands-on garden education; and the Organic Master Gardener Program, a nine-week training course deepening volunteer knowledge of organic practices.

With projects that touch everyone from schoolchildren to homeowners to special needs learners, KCMG continues to grow its impact across Knox County—one garden at a time.

14th Annual Fall Festival at Little Ponderosa Zoo & Rescue

Mark your calendars for the 14th Annual Fall Festival, coming to the Little Ponderosa Zoo & Rescue in Clinton on October 4th–5th, from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM each day.

This family-friendly festival is packed with activities for all ages. Visitors can enjoy a chili cookoff, inflatables, craft vendors, fun games, and pony rides. There will also be face painting, live music, and plenty of delicious food to enjoy throughout the day. And of course, festivalgoers will have the chance to meet the amazing animals that call Little Ponderosa home—from zebras and camels to parrots, tigers, and more.

Little Ponderosa Zoo & Rescue provides a truly unique adventure while supporting animal care and rescue. The Fall Festival is not only a day of fun—it also helps sustain this beloved community treasure.

Gather your family and friends for a weekend of autumn celebration, good food, and unforgettable encounters with animals. You won’t want to miss it!

Location: Little Ponderosa Zoo & Rescue, 629 Granite Road, Clinton
Info: (865) 457-5536

Discover all upcoming events on our Community Events page

Upcoming Events:

Get ready for ten days of family-friendly excitement—the Tennessee Valley Fair is back from September 5th–14th, at Chilhowee Park & Exposition Center in Knoxville. Celebrating over a century of tradition, this beloved annual event highlights East Tennessee’s rich heritage, agriculture, and creativity. More Info

Ask A Master Gardener tables will be at the Tennessee Valley Fair at both the Jacob Building and the Kerr Building from September 5th-14th. Master Gardeners will be available to answer questions or discuss garden issues.

Book lovers, get ready to stock your shelves while supporting a great cause! The Friends of the Knox County Public Library will host a used book sale on Saturday, September 6th, at the Powell Branch Library, 330 W. Emory Rd, from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

On September 6th at 9 a.m. master gardeners will lead a one-hour guided nature walk at Collier Preserve, a native plant garden and birding area. Meet at the Powell Branch Library next to Collier Preserve, which is located at 316 W. Emory Road. More Info

Looking for a thrilling night out? The Dinner Detective brings its interactive, true‑crime murder mystery dinner show to Knoxville, merging captivating storytelling with a delectable meal. On select weekend nights throughout 2025 - guests are invited to the Hilton Knoxville Hotel (501 West Church Avenue) to step into a real-time, suspenseful world full of intrigue and laughs. More Info & Tickets

Step back in time and celebrate the rich traditions of the Cherokee people at the Cherokee Fall Festival, happening September 6th–7th at the Sequoyah Birthplace Museum in Vonore, TN. More Info

Creative Writing Series - The UT Creative Writing Program is hosting a special evening celebrating the debut short story collections of two of its accomplished alumnae: Samantha Edmonds and Mariah Rigg. The reading will take place on Monday, September 8th, at 7:00 pm in the Lindsay Young Auditorium of John C. Hodges Library, Room 101 on the UT campus at 1015 Volunteer Blvd. Admission is free and open to the public. More Info

Network & Learn - Break the Stuck: Mastering Momentum to Breakthrough - Are you a professional woman feeling stuck in your business or personal growth? On Tuesday, September 9th at 11:00 AM, eWomenNetwork Knoxville is hosting “Break the Stuck: Mastering Momentum to Breakthrough to an Unprecedented Level of Success” presented by Felicia Searcy. Led by Abigail Tiefenthaler, this in-person event will give you tools to overcome procrastination, beat self-doubt, and finally gain the momentum you’ve been missing. More Info & Register

On Thursday, September 11th Knoxville photographer and Master Gardener Elle Colquitt will share tips on taking garden photographs. The free seminar will be held at the University of Tennessee Eastern Region Office at 1801 Downtown West Blvd. from 10:30-11:30 a.m.

Step into a world of ancient wisdom and earth-based traditions at Ancient Lore Village on Saturday, September 13th, at 11:00 AM. The Village invites you to a hands-on workshop, Healing Arts of the Ancients: An Herbal Medicine Workshop, where nature, folklore, and wellness come together in an immersive experience. More Info & Tickets

Master Gardener Cid Letsinger will answer garden and plant questions at the Norwood Branch Library on Saturday, September 13th from 10 a.m. - noon. The library is located at 1110 Merchant Dr.

On Tuesday, September 16th, Knoxville’s premier entrepreneurial event, 865 Fest, returns with a full day of inspiration, networking, and innovation at Bridgewater Place. Formerly known as Startup Day, this annual celebration brings together founders, investors, executives, and business leaders to spotlight the region’s growing startup ecosystem. More Info

Get ready for... Camp GalFunction: A 2-Year Celebration! Grab your marshmallow roasting sticks for the ultimate end-of-summer camp-themed celebration! Join us on Tuesday, September 16th at 7 PM as we celebrate two incredible years at The Hub Pro Studio with a night full of cozy, camp-inspired fun. More Info

Bourbon enthusiasts, mark your calendars! On Tuesday, September 16th at 6:30 PM, 35 North Bar & Grill will host The Big Three Bourbon Distillers Class #252—an interactive tasting and learning experience that explores the history and legacy of the distilleries responsible for more than 75% of the world’s bourbon. More Info and Tickets

Ever wondered what truly makes a tea a “tea”? On Wednesday, September 17th, from 6:00–8:00 PM, The Kraken’s Cup Tearoom invites you to “What is Tea?”—a guided tea tasting workshop designed to introduce participants to the six distinct types of true tea. More Info & Tickets

Grab your clubs and join the East Tennessee Kidney Foundation (ETKF) for an afternoon of fun, fellowship, and fundraising at Golfing for Kidneys on Thursday, September 18th, from 2:00–5:00 PM. The event will be held at Topgolf Knoxville (11400 Outlet Drive, Farragut). More Info

On Wednesday, September 24th, from 6:00–8:00 PM, Volunteer Cookie Co. return to the Kraken’s Cup to host a hands-on Fall Cookie Decorating Class. More Info & Tickets

On Wednesday, September 24th from 11 a.m.-noon a Zoom presentation on how to become a Knox County Master Gardener volunteer will be held from 11 a.m. - noon. A session is also scheduled for Oct. 29th. To register, email extension agent Rylan Thompson at [email protected] or call (865) 215-2340.

On Friday, September 26th, the Knoxville Technology Council’s Women in Tech presents the fourth annual Women in Tech Expo: Grow Better Together, a full day dedicated to connection, empowerment, and professional growth. This year’s expo will bring together a diverse group of women from across industries to share inspiration, strategies, and opportunities to thrive both personally and professionally. More Info & Tickets

The Tennessee Smart Yard Workshop will be held Saturday, September 27th from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. at the University of Tennessee Gardens. Participants will learn ways to create a sustainable landscape that benefits the environment. Door prizes will include a rain barrel, composter, native plants, bat box and wildflower seeds. Participants may also drop off household pesticides to dispose of. Pesticides must be in original containers. More Info

A Night Out with New Friends | Dinner with Strangers - Looking to expand your social circle and enjoy a memorable evening in great company? A Night Out with New Friends: Knoxville | Dinner with Strangers 2025 offers just that—a unique dining experience designed for mingling, connection, and making new friends over a delicious meal. These events turn the usual dinner out into something far more exciting and meaningful. More Info

Networking:

Veterans:

Free Veterans’ 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

Bonfire Fridays - Kid-Friendly Networking

There’s no better way to spend a crisp fall evening than around the fire with friends, family, and neighbors. Bonfire Fridays with 2 Brothers Services offers a kid-friendly networking event that combines community, relaxation, and connection.

Gather at 188 Hill Road in Knoxville on select Fridays—September 26th, October 24th, November 21st, and December 19th—from 6:00 PM to 11:00 PM for a night of laughter, conversation, and cozy fireside vibes. Families are encouraged to bring a snack, a drink, and a chair, and settle in for an evening where kids can play while adults network in a laid-back, welcoming environment.

With the glow of the bonfire setting the scene, this series is all about building community bonds and enjoying time together in a family-friendly space. Don’t miss the chance to mix, mingle, and make memories—mark your calendar for Bonfire Fridays with 2 Brothers Services.

Double, Double Tea and Trouble! - A Spook-tacular Tea Party

Get ready to brew up some hauntingly good times! On Sunday, October 5, 2025, from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM, The Kraken’s Cup Tearoom invites you to don your most family-friendly witch, wizard, or warlock costume and join in the festive fun.

This whimsical afternoon features a delightful tea buffet brimming with seasonal treats, Halloween-themed trivia, and a chance to win a spooky-themed tea basket in a raffle. Bring your friends and get ready for surprises that go beyond tricks—there’s even more chilling fun in store! A portion of each ticket, along with donations, will be donated to support a local non-profit cat rescue in honor of Black Cat Awareness Month.

Whether you come for the costumes, the tea, or the charitable spirit, this event offers something for everyone looking to celebrate the spooky season in style. Just don’t wait—tickets are available now and expected to go quickly. More Info & Reservations

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