In this Knoxville Insider Issue…

🌤️ Weather | Partly Cloudy with a High of 83

🗓️ Create Your Own Glass & Resin Pumpkin Suncatcher

🗓️ Scots-Irish Festival Returns to Dandridge

📰 Rotary Club Seeks Hidden Hero Nominations

📰 Fall Fun & Community Spirit at SouthEast Bank’s Fountain City Event

🏆 September Giveaway - Whole-Home Carpet + Stairs DeepClean, by On the Spot Carpet Cleaning

🗓️ Upcoming Events (Lots of events!)

📣 We Want to Spotlight Your Business! Apply Here

✅ Advertising Opportunities
 

Rotary Club Seeks Hidden Hero Nominations

The Rotary Club of Farragut is accepting nominations for its 2025 Hidden Hero Award, honoring someone in Knox County who quietly goes above and beyond to serve others.

Community members can nominate anyone—Rotary membership not required. The deadline is Wednesday, October 15th, with the winner announced in November. Last year’s honoree, attorney Farrell Levy, was recognized for founding The Dream Connection, a nonprofit granting wishes to children with life-threatening illnesses.

This is your chance to celebrate someone who truly embodies the Rotary motto of Service Above Self. Nomination Form

Fall Fun & Community Spirit at SouthEast Bank’s Fountain City Event

SouthEast Bank’s Fountain City branch is celebrating the start of fall with a lively community event on Saturday, September 27th, from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM at 4924 North Broadway in Knoxville. Families can look forward to a festive afternoon filled with free BBQ, ice cream, and live music, plus plenty of kid-friendly activities like balloon art, face painting, pumpkin decorating, and a bounce house. Free food, ice cream, and swag will be available while supplies last.

The event will also feature special guest Trevor Bayne, Fountain City native and the youngest driver ever to win the Daytona 500. Guests will have the chance to meet Trevor, grab a photo, and even collect an autograph. In honor of Hunger Awareness Month, SouthEast Bank is partnering with Second Harvest Food Bank to collect shelf-stable proteins such as canned chicken, beans, tuna, sunflower butter, and more (no glass containers). Donations can also be made online.

This free, family-friendly event is a perfect way to enjoy the fall season while supporting an important cause in the community.

Discover all upcoming events on our Community Events page

Upcoming Events:

The wait is almost over—the Sunflower Festival is back at the Friendly Farm now through September 28th, offering 3 acres of breathtaking blooms plus fun for the whole family. Wander through fields of golden sunflowers, visit the petting zoo, enjoy farm games, grab a bite to eat, and make plenty of photo-worthy memories. More Info & Get Tickets

Get ready for an unforgettable night: Little Mania: Midget Wrestling All-Stars is coming to Cotton Eyed Joe, 11220 Outlet Drive, on Monday, September 22nd. This is an 18+ event, where veteran performers and mini-wrestling stars take the ring for a show full of energy, athleticism, and larger-than-life fun. Doors open at 6:00 PM, with the main event kicking off around 7:30 PM.

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 at 6:00 PM, food lovers and animal advocates alike are invited to Commonplace Coffee (6000 Chapman Highway) for Empanadas & Empathy, a hands-on workshop with a heart. This special event combines the joy of cooking with the mission of helping pet parents afford emergency veterinary care, through a fund created in partnership with the University of Tennessee Veterinary Department. Reserve your spot today

Car fans, mark your calendars! Knoxville Car Enthusiasts is hosting an evening at the Baker Boy’s Pizza Halls location (7438 Maynardville Pike). The event kicks off at 7:00 PM on Friday, September 26th and runs “whenever you want”—making it the perfect come-and-go hangout for gearheads and friends alike.

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

Book lovers, mark your calendars! The Friends of the Knox County Public Library will host a book sale at the Farragut Library, 417 N. Campbell Station Rd, on Friday and Saturday, September 26th–27th, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. More Info

On Saturday, September 27th, the Inskip neighborhood will burst into color, music, and celebration for We Are Inskip: Hear Us Roar! This free, family-friendly event begins at 11:00 AM with parade line-up at the school, followed by a lively New Orleans-style walking parade at noon. Parking is available at Inskip Elementary, 4701 High School Road.

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

Lavender Faire - featuring 4 local lavender farms and including baked goods, flowers, pottery, jewelry, textiles, vintage, and more! Sunday, September 27th from 10am-3pm, 116 Carr Street in Knoxville, (865) 584-9000

The 5th Annual Knoxville Drive Electric Festival rolls into the Pellissippi State Community College Hardin Valley Campus on Saturday, September 27th, from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM. This family-friendly celebration is part of National Drive Electric Month, and last year Knoxville’s event ranked as the 3rd largest in the nation. More Info

The 25th Annual HoLa Festival returns to World’s Fair Park on Sunday, September 28th from 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Guests can enjoy live music and dance performances, authentic Latin cuisine, draft beer, artisan crafts, and the always-popular Parade of Nations. With heritage booths, children’s activities, and community resources, there’s something for all ages to explore and enjoy. More Info

Knoxville’s “other orchestra,” the Scruffy City Orchestra, returns this fall with Visions and Virtuosos, a special concert celebrating rising talent and rarely heard masterpieces. Under the baton of Dr. Ace Edewards, the performance takes place on Sunday, September 28th, at 5:00 PM at the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus (711 S. Northshore Drive). Admission is free, though donations are encouraged, and seating is limited—reserve your spot through Eventbrite at the Cathedral Concert Series site. More Info

The University of Tennessee Creative Writing Program welcomes acclaimed novelist Carter Sickels for a free public reading on Monday, September 29th at 7 p.m. in the Lindsay Young Auditorium of John C. Hodges Library. The event is part of the UT Creative Writing Series and invites the community to engage with one of today’s most compelling literary voices.

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:

See Recurring Weekly & Monthly Networking Events

Bonfire Fridays with 2 Brothers Services. - 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.

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

September Giveaway - Whole-Home Carpet + Stairs DeepClean, by On the Spot Carpet Cleaning

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On The Spot Carpet Cleaning is giving you the chance to win their Whole-Home Carpet + Stairs DeepClean+ Giveaway. One lucky winner will receive up to five rooms and one flight of stairs professionally cleaned with their eco-friendly DeepClean+ system.

1 Big Winner… But everyone walks away with something! The Grand Prize can be used anytime up to 1 year.

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✅ Free entry, no purchase necessary

— delivered by Knoxville’s trusted local carpet cleaning team

Even if you don’t win, there’s a surprise bonus waiting for everyone who enters!

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Create Your Own Glass & Resin Pumpkin Suncatcher

Get into the autumn spirit with a hands-on craft night at Painting Around in Powell, at 2917 W. Beaver Creek Rd. On Friday, September 26th, at 6:00 PM, guests can design and create their very own glass & resin pumpkin suncatcher.

No prior experience is required—just bring your creativity, favorite snacks, and drinks to share. All materials and step-by-step instructions will be provided. Painting Around offers the perfect setting for an evening of fun and artistry.

Seats are limited, so be sure to reserve your spot and let your creativity shine this fall! Get tickets

Scots-Irish Festival Returns to Dandridge

Historic Dandridge will once again come alive with the sights and sounds of Celtic tradition as the Scots-Irish Festival returns on Saturday, September 27th at 131 East Main Street, Dandridge. This free, family-friendly event has become a much-anticipated celebration of music, dance, history, and heritage in East Tennessee. Visitors can look forward to a lively parade, the stirring sounds of pipe bands, and an abundance of Celtic music and dance performances throughout the day.

The festivities kick off the evening before with an Opening Concert on Friday, September 26th, at 6:30 PM, featuring live music, a food truck, and an ale garden to set the tone for the weekend. Whether you’re drawn by the cultural performances, the community spirit, or just the chance to enjoy a beautiful fall day in historic Dandridge, the Scots-Irish Festival promises something for everyone. Mark your calendars now for a weekend of heritage, music, and celebration.

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