Step Back in Time at Totally Rad Vintage Fest

Issue #654

27 Sep

In this Knoxville Insider Issue…

🌤️ Weather | Scattered Thunderstorms with a High of 78

📰 Market Grove - New Store at West Town Mall

🗓️ Laugh, Create, and Be Amazed — Improvised Shakespeare Company at Clayton Arts Center

🗓️ Upcoming Events (This weekend is PACKED with events to attend!)

📣 We Want to Spotlight Your Business! Apply Here

✅ Advertising Opportunities
 

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Today’s Record High: 92 in 2019 — Record Low: 38 in 1889

Big news — your Knoxville Insider access just got an upgrade! We’re thrilled to announce the launch of the Knoxville Insider VIP Pass, a free digital wallet pass you can easily add to your Apple or Google Wallet. With it, you’ll unlock exclusive offers, special savings, and the latest announcements from businesses and events across the city—all delivered straight to your phone. Get the VIP Pass

Today - Drive Electric Festival Rolls Into Pellissippi State

Get ready to plug into the future at the Knoxville Drive Electric Festival, happening TODAY from 10 AM to 3 PM at Pellissippi State Community College’s Hardin Valley Campus (10915 Hardin Valley Road). This free event is your chance to explore more than 100 electric vehicles (EVs), representing over 40 different models—all in one place.

Visitors can see, sit in, ride, and even test drive the latest EVs while learning from real owners and industry experts. From compact cars to trucks and SUVs, the festival showcases how EVs are shaping the future of transportation. Whether you’re curious about going electric, ready to buy, or just looking for a fun, family-friendly day out, this event offers hands-on opportunities and expert insight.

The Knoxville Drive Electric Festival is part of National Drive Electric Week, a nationwide celebration raising awareness of the benefits of electric vehicles. Don’t miss this exciting opportunity to experience the latest in clean, innovative driving technology.

Market Grove - New Store at West Town Mall

A new reason to love shopping local - Market Grove, a curator of small businesses and makers, is opening a new store inside West Town Mall. As the brand describes itself, it’s “home to local small businesses, makers and entrepreneurs,” offering a space where regional artisans and creators can connect directly with customers.

Market Grove already has storefronts in Chattanooga (Hamilton Place) and Nashville (Opry Mills), and the expansion into Knoxville marks a new chapter for local retail. By bringing together a variety of makers, designers, and boutique vendors, the mall location aims to enhance the shopper experience while supporting the local creative economy.

If you're a maker, artisan, or small business owner hoping to reach new audiences, now’s a great time to explore Market Grove’s vendor application or pop-up opportunities.

One of our sponsors, Mae Larue, is a vendor at Market Grove - stop by and shop!

Discover all upcoming events on our Community Events page

Upcoming Events:

Fall Market at Revival Thrift Boutique - Get ready for a full day of shopping, food, and fun at the Fall Market, happening Saturday, September 27th, from 10 AM to 5 PM at Revival Thrift Boutique (11152 Outlet Dr.). This event will be packed with local vendors offering a wide variety of treasures—everything from vintage clothing for men and women to unique art, handmade jewelry, and so much more.

Knoxville’s long-running celebration of Greek heritage returns this September with Greek Fest 2025, taking place September 26th–28th at St. George Greek Orthodox Church on Kingston Pike. On Friday and Saturday, festival hours are 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM, and the festivities wind down on Sunday from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM. More Info 

Clarence Brown Theatre presents Sense and Sensibility, Kate Hamill’s witty, modern adaptation of Jane Austen’s classic. Running through Sunday, October 5th, the play follows the Dashwood sisters as they navigate love, loss, and social pressures, brought to life with humor and heart under director Casey Sams. More Info & Tickets

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.

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

Get ready to hunt for bargains and treasures—the 9 Mile Yard Sale is back - Friday-Saturday, September 26th-27th from 8am-3pm! This massive community-wide sale will span Ridgeview Road, Clapps Chapel Road, surrounding side streets, and parts of the Gibbs/Corryton area, bringing dozens of households and even a few churches together for a weekend of shopping fun. More Info (details & directions)

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.

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 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! Saturday, 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

Get ready for some friendly competition and flashing lights at the Sunday Funday Pinball Tournament, happening Sunday, September 28th at Pins & Pints Pinball Pub, 1336 E. Emory Road in Powell. The action kicks off at 4:30 PM and welcomes players of all ages and skill levels to test their pinball skills in a fun, relaxed setting.

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.

Fans of Taylor and lovers of lively nights, get ready to celebrate! Join Silent Disco Knox and Hi-Wire Brewing (2020 Barber Street) for a magical night of music and community at the Taylor Swift Silent Disco Album Release Party, happening Friday, October 3rd, at 8:00 PM. More Info

Knoxville’s favorite children’s consignment event is back! The Duck-Duck-Goose Fall/Winter Event returns October 1st–4th, at the Knoxville Expo Center (5441 Clinton Hwy), bringing a huge selection of gently used kids’ clothes, gear, toys, and more. The hours are Wednesday through Friday from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM, and Saturday from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM. This year adds a fresh twist with Half-Price Friday and the fun Duck Dash Saturday sale.

24th Annual Clinch River Fall Antique Festival - on Saturday, October 4, from 9 AM to 5 PM. This beloved tradition transforms Clinton’s charming downtown into a bustling marketplace of antiques, artisans, live music, food trucks, and even classic cars.

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:

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.

Looking for a fresh approach to business networking? BizGrow Networking invites local professionals to try something new at 5 Questions Speed Networking, happening Tuesday, September 30th from 5:30–7:30 PM at Aloft Knoxville West (364 Lovell Road). This free event promises a fun, interactive way to make connections that go far beyond the typical small talk. Get Tickets (it’s free)

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

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.

Grand Prize Details:
🏆 Valued at more than $350
📅 Can be redeemed anytime within 365 days of winning
✅ 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!

  • It’s free to enter

  • It only takes 10 seconds

  • And someone local WILL win

Step Back in Time at Totally Rad Vintage Fest

Get ready to unleash your inner nostalgia! The Totally Rad Vintage Fest lands in Knoxville on Saturday, October 4th, from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM at the World’s Fair Exhibition Hall. This retro-inspired festival brings together vintage fashion, arcade gaming, quirky relics, and so much more—all focused on 80s, 90s, and Y2K vibes.

Expect to browse a huge selection of vintage clothing, accessories, records, toys, and home goods carefully curated by local and traveling vendors. Test your skills at the Free-Play Vintage Arcade, wander through the Rad Rewind Museum full of retro gadgets, and strike a pose at immersive photo ops designed to transport you back in time.

Ticket & Event Details

Early Entry: 8:30 AM (exclusive access); General Admission: 10:00 AM; Pricing: $25 early entry, $8 in advance for general admission, $12 day-of. Kids 12 & under get in free; Dress Code: Vintage attire strongly encouraged!

Don your throwback style, grab a friend, and dive into a day of retro treasures, classic games, and throwback energy. This is the ultimate event for anyone who believes vintage never goes out of style. More Info

Laugh, Create, and Be Amazed — Improvised Shakespeare Company at Clayton Arts Center

The Improvised Shakespeare Company is making a special stop at the Clayton Arts Center, and you won’t want to miss it! This inventive troupe will perform an entirely unscripted show—creating Shakespeare-style scenes on the spot based on audience suggestions. Think “you tell us a setting, character trait, prop, or title, and we deliver a fully improvised ‘Shakespearean’ play.” The result is hilarious, unpredictable, and astonishingly theatrical.

This show is perfect for lovers of Shakespeare, improv, or just a night of good, unexpected fun. The format breaks down walls between performers and the audience, giving everyone a chance to influence the story and share in the creative energy. Whether you’re a connoisseur of the Bard or just curious about seeing theatre made in real time, this evening promises laughter, surprise, and a genuine connection to the magic of live performance. More Info

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