🌤️ Weather | Light Rain with a High of 82

📰 The Story of Service - Wreaths Across America Free Mobile Exhibit This Weekend

📰 Lace Up for a Good Cause at the Saving Grace 5K at Victor Ashe Park

📰 The Money Community Local Readers Have Been Joining All Month - Here's What's Actually In It

🗓️ Fashion Meets Conservation as Fleurish Returns to Ijams

🗓️ Kathleen xxx

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Wreaths Across America, the organization behind the annual wreath-laying ceremonies that have become a cherished part of our local holiday season, is bringing its Mobile Education Exhibit to our area this week — and it's completely free and open to all ages.

The exhibit is a 48-foot traveling showcase equipped with a screening room where visitors can watch the Wreaths Across America mission come to life on video, three interactive computer stations, and a wall of information covering the organization's history, values, and impact. Volunteers will be on hand throughout to share how the program has grown into a staple of East Tennessee's patriotic community — and to show you how you can get involved.

The exhibit makes two local stops: first at the Food City in Newport (181 Western Plaza Drive) on May 29th-30th from 10:00 AM–6:00 PM, then closer to home at the Food City at Deane Hill Center (284 Morrell Road), on May 31st-June 1st from 10:00 AM–6:00 PM.

Whether you're a longtime supporter of Wreaths Across America or you've always been curious about the program, this is a wonderful opportunity to learn, reflect, and connect with a community that cares deeply about honoring those who served. More Info

The Saving Grace 5K takes place at Victor Ashe Park (4901 Bradshaw Road) on June 6th — and whether you're a seasoned racer or someone who just wants to walk a mile for a meaningful cause, there's a distance for you.

Participants can choose the 5K, the 10K, or the 1-mile run/walk, with the course starting near the main pavilion and winding out along the paved greenway path. Awards go to the top three male and female finishers in the 5K and 10K, as well as to the top performers in each age group — and a virtual option is available for those who can't make it in person.

The race benefits Saving Grace, a Knoxville women's home offering faith-based recovery support for women overcoming drug dependency and abuse. Every registration helps fund the life-changing work they do right here in our community. Sign up before May 25th to snag a race t-shirt with your entry for the 5K and 10K. More Info & Signup

If Mikey Caloca's name has been showing up in this newsletter and you've been meaning to check it out - this is the short version of what you actually get in Mikey's Money House:

Money problems compound quietly. So does the work to fix them. The difference between people who get out and people who stay stuck usually isn't intelligence or willpower - it's whether they had a room of people doing it alongside them.

Mikey built that room. He'll tell you himself: "I think you belong here."

→ Step inside Mikey's Money House

This is not your average fashion show. Fleurish: A Sustainable Fashion Event celebrates its 5th year at Ijams Nature Center on June 14th from 6:00 PM–9:00 PM — and this year's theme, Technicolor, is all about love: the love of creativity, community, and the natural world.

The evening opens with a cocktail hour from 6:00 PM–7:30 PM featuring passed appetizers and signature cocktails, a green carpet photo op, and education stations highlighting conservation efforts in the fashion industry. Then the runway comes alive as models showcase stunning looks from local designers — all crafted from reusable and recycled materials — on Ijams' iconic outdoor hillside setting.

After the show, guests are invited to meet the artists and designers in person. More Info

Seven of Knoxville's best restaurants. World-class wines. The Knoxville Museum of Art. One unforgettable evening.

Taste of Summer: Wine and Food Festival returns to the Knoxville Museum of Art (1050 World's Fair Park Drive) on June 20th from 5:00 PM–9:00 PM — an elegant, immersive evening where the culinary scene takes center stage.

Featured chefs from Bistro by the Tracks, Emilia, Lilou Brasserie, Revel, Tarik's North African, Windy Hill Farm and Preserve, and Sticky Rice Cafe are each crafting signature bites designed to be paired with hand-selected wines ranging from bold reds to crisp whites and refreshing rosés.

It's a night for mingling, discovering, and genuinely savoring what Knoxville's food community has to offer in one of the city's most beautiful indoor settings. Presented by Ann and Steve Bailey, with Lexus of Knoxville as presenting sponsor. This event is for 21 and older, rain or shine. More Info

Interested in learning about how a VIP Pass can help your business? Reach out to [email protected] for more information!

Recurring events

🗓️ May 29th - guests are invited to “Yoga at the Zoo,” a special after-hours fundraiser designed to create a relaxing and memorable experience while supporting wildlife conservation efforts. The evening will begin with a surprise up-close animal encounter before transitioning into an all-levels yoga class surrounded by the unique sights and sounds of the zoo. Event details and tickets are available through Blue Ridge Yoga Events.

🗓️ May 29th-30th - Dragonfly Aerial & Circus Arts is celebrating 15 years of circus arts in Knoxville with a whimsical new production, “Circus Extravaganza: Small World Under the Big Top.” Performances will take place May 29 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. and May 30 with two performances scheduled from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. and again from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Doors open one hour before each performance. More Info

🗓️ May 29th-30th - Comedian Heather McMahan is bringing The Bamboozled Tour to the Bijou Theatre (803 S. Gay Street) for two nights, at 8:00 PM - and both shows are being filmed as her live comedy special. More Info for May 29th | More Info for May 30th

🗓️ May 30th - KnoxWalls Murals & Music Festival - Get ready for a day bursting with creativity as Dogwood Arts transforms Emory Place into a vibrant open-air art and music experience on May 30 from noon to 8 p.m. More Info

🗓️ May 30th - The Discover Knoxville Expo comes to the Hardin Valley Event Center (2620 Willow Point Way) from 11:00 AM–3:00 PM, presented by BeLocal K-Town. It features 50+ local vendors showcasing the businesses, services, and resources that make this community feel like home, plus a live local band and BeLocal Bingo. More Info

🗓️ May 30th - The Marble City Opera 2026 Summer Festival opens at the Historic Grove Theater in Oak Ridge with Josephine — a stunning one-woman opera by composer Tom Cipullo. More Info

🗓️ May 30th - Knoxville's Largest Kids' Party returns to the World's Fair Park Performance Lawn from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM — and it lives up to the name. More Info

🗓️ May 30th - Knoxville Margarita Festival - Get ready to raise a glass at the third annual Knoxville Margarita Festival on May 30th at The Mill & Mine. This lively evening event invites guests to sample creative margaritas from some of the area’s favorite restaurants as they compete for the title of Best Margarita in Knoxville. More Info

🗓️ May 30th - Lace up your running shoes and get ready for a one-of-a-kind race experience at the brand-new Red Panda Run 5K on May 30 at Zoo Knoxville. More Info

🗓️ May 31st - Amadeus Concert Ensemble closes its 2025–2026 season in grand fashion with Rachmaninoff & Friends - a free concert at 5:30 PM at the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus (711 S. Northshore Drive). More Info

🗓️ June 1st - This day marks Tennessee's 230th Statehood Day, commemorating the day in 1796 when Tennessee became the 16th state in the union — a moment that happened at Blount Mansion in downtown Knoxville. More Info

🗓️ June 1st-24th - Camp Webb runs June 1st through July 24th and offers more than 70 summer camps - welcoming kids from age 4 (Camp Wonderoo for pre-K) through rising 7th graders for a summer packed with adventure, sports, specialty skills, and memories. More Info

🗓️ June 2nd - Jason Bonham's Led Zeppelin Evening comes to the Tennessee Theatre at 7:30 PM — a full night of Zeppelin's greatest music performed with the reverence, power, and authenticity that only Jason Bonham can bring. More Info

🗓️ June 2nd-July 30th - Concerts on the Square, presented by First Century Bank, returns to Market Square for its summer series of free Jazz Tuesday concerts, running every Tuesday in June and July from 7:00 PM–9:00 PM. More Info

🗓️ June 3rd - The City of Knoxville's Kid A' Riffic Fun in the Park series launches from 10:00 AM–1:00 PM at Chilhowee Park, kicking things off with Touch-A-Truck, kazoo fun, hands-on arts and crafts, and a food truck on site. More Info

🗓️ June 4th - It's not just bourbon with a different label — and this class will prove it. Tennessee Whiskey 202 is coming to The Vault Room at 6:30 PM, presented by Liquor Vault and Whiskey University - and this isn't your average tasting. You'll sample six Tennessee whiskeys side by side, with a shared appetizer included to complement the experience. More Info & Tickets

🗓️ June 5th - Used Book Sale at the Corryton Branch Library (7733 Corryton Road, Corryton) | 1:30–5:00 PM More Info

🗓️ June 5th - 7th - Shoppers and vintage lovers are invited to experience a weekend of unique finds and local flair as Vintage Market Days® of Knoxville returns June 5–7 with its spring event, “The Vintage Passport.” More Info

🗓️ June 5th-6th - Rhinestone Fest takes over Knoxville's Historic Old City for a free, family-friendly celebration of all things Dolly Parton. Expect a Dolly-themed marketplace packed with handmade and fabulous finds inspired by the glitz, glamour, and charm of the one and only, alongside live music on the main stage. More Info

🗓️ June 5th-21st -If you have ever dreamed of stumbling upon a Golden Ticket, now's their chance to live it. Knoxville Children's Theatre is staging a live production of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory running June 5th-21st. More Info

🗓️ June 5th-21st -Knoxville Children's Theatre is presenting The Hobbit — Patricia Gray's stage adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien's beloved classic — with multiple showtimes throughout the run. Performances are Thursdays and Fridays at 7:00 PM, Saturdays at 1:00 PM and 5:00 PM, and Sundays at 3:00 PM, giving families plenty of chances to catch it. More Info

🗓️ June 6th - Marble City Opera is bringing its beloved annual Opera in the Park concert to Lakeshore Park (6410 S. Northshore Drive) from 6:00 PM–8:00 PM — and admission is completely free. Food trucks will be on-site to round out the evening, making this a true community gathering in one of Knoxville's most beautiful outdoor settings. More Info

🗓️ June 6th - Fountain City Town Hall, in partnership with the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) and HawgMolly Fishing, is hosting Bobby Wilson Fishing Day at the Fountain City Lake "Duck Pond" from 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM — and it is completely free to attend. More Info

🗓️ June 6th - Margo Price — the Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter who has become one of the most celebrated voices in American roots music — brings her tour to the Bijou Theatre. More Info

🗓️ June 6th - The Knoxville Ice Cream Festival returns to the World's Fair Park Festival Lawn from 11 AM–6 PM — and it's completely free to attend. This is the kind of event that checks every box for a perfect summer day out: cold treats, sunshine, live entertainment, and something fun for every member of the family.

🗓️ June 6th - Grammy-Nominated, award-winning country artist Brandon Maddox - a Nashville songwriter with a catalog of around 2,000 original songs and a sound that's pure, down-home country - is performing at Iron Works Grille on the River (1641 Cherohala Skyway, Tellico Plains), running 6:00 PM–9:00 PM. More Info

🗓️ June 6th - Blount Mansion Association invites you to Martinis at the Mansion - their annual garden party fundraiser - at 5:30 PM at the Blount Mansion Visitors Center (200 W. Hill Ave). More Info

🗓️ June 6th - The Knoxville Firefighters Association presents Long Run Rocks — A Tribute to the Eagles at Chilhowee Park at 8:00 PM. Expect a full night of Eagles classics — "Hotel California," "Take It Easy," "New Kid in Town," and more — performed live in one of Knoxville's most iconic outdoor venues. More Info

🗓️ June 6th - Marble City Opera heads outdoors for its beloved annual Opera in the Park — a free concert at Lakeshore Park. More Info

🗓️ June 10th - Sesame Street Live: Elmo's Got the Moves comes to the Tennessee Theatre (604 S. Gay Street) at 6:00 PM — an interactive live stage show that puts kids right in the middle of the action from the very first moment. More Info

🗓️ June 11th - Paul Thorn, the Mississippi-born singer-songwriter beloved for his warm, witty, deeply human take on life, love, and the South, comes to the Bijou Theatre at 8:00 PM - presented by local music legend WDVX. More Info

🗓️ June 12th-13th - Summer Book Fest, presented by Knox Social Club, is bringing a full weekend of literary fun to Crafty Bastard Brewery (6 Emory Place). More Info

🗓️ June 12th-13th - Used Book Sale at the Cedar Bluff Branch Library (9045 Cross Park Drive) | 10:00 AM–5:00 PM More Info

🗓️ June 13th - The Water Lantern Festival — voted the #1 Festival in the World by USA Today — is coming to Chilhowee Park and Exposition Center (3301 E Magnolia Ave), with gates opening at 6:00 PM and the lantern launch happening from 9:00 PM–10:00 PM. Get Tickets

🗓️ June 13th - The Red, White & Bloom Makers Market takes over the Hardin Valley Event Center Pavilion (2620 Willow Point Way) from 10:00 AM–4:00 PM, bringing together 70 local artisans, bakers, and crafters under one roof - plus food trucks. More Info

🗓️ June 14th - Fashion, nature, and a whole lot of Technicolor - this year's Fleurish might be the most stunning one yet. Fleurish, Ijams Nature Center's annual sustainable fashion show, returns from 6:00–9:00 PM on the Ijams lawn. More Info

🗓️ June 18th, 20th - The season closes with two performances of The Tragedy of Carmen — a 90-minute adaptation of Bizet's iconic Carmen - at the Historic Grove Theatre in Oak Ridge. More Info

🗓️ June 18th-28th - PAT, the acclaimed one-woman play written and performed by Lisa Soland, returns for a limited engagement, now making its debut at the Jenny Boyd Theatre on the campus of the University of Tennessee - UT's newly opened performance space. More Info & Tickets

🗓️ June 19th - Dancing Machine: A Tribute Band to the Jacksons takes the stage at Market Square from 7:00 PM–9:00 PM as part of the City of Knoxville's Variety Thursdays – Concerts on the Square series. More Info

🗓️ June 20th - RiverView Family Farm (12130 Prater Lane) is throwing a Barn Dance on from 6:00 PM–9:30 PM - an open-to-the-public evening of live line dancing instruction, great food, and the kind of genuine good time that's hard to find. Admission is just $10 per person, and children under 5 get in free.

🗓️ June 20th - Celebrate summer in full bloom at the Lavender Festival from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Jackson Square. This free, family-friendly event transforms the historic district into a vibrant day of shopping, music, food, and fun. More Info

🗓️ June 20th - Knoxville Brewfest returns to World's Fair Park, with 60+ local and regional breweries pouring from 4:30 PM–8:30 PM — including gluten-free and non-alcoholic options. Live music, local food vendors, and a beautiful outdoor setting make this one of Knoxville's most beloved annual events. More Info

🗓️ June 23rd - Used Book Sale at the Carter Branch Library (9036 Asheville Highway) | 1:00–7:00 PM More Info

🗓️ June 24th-27th - Nief-Norf SYNNERGY comes to Knoxville - a four-day contemporary music festival and conference that's genuinely unlike anything else happening in East Tennessee this summer. Think cutting-edge new music performed live by world-class artists, with 12 free public concerts woven throughout the week. No ticket required. Just show up and listen. More Info

🗓️ June 25th - Music for Seniors: Love Notes - A Musical Afternoon of Romance comes to the Episcopal Church of the Ascension (800 S. Northshore Drive) from 2:00 PM–3:00 PM, presented by the acclaimed Knoxville Opera. More Info

🗓️ June 26th - Kathleen Madigan - The Day Drinking Tour comes to the Bijou Theatre at 7:00 PM — and if you've ever caught her on a late-night show, her Netflix specials, or heard her on the radio, you already know what you're getting: razor-sharp, relatable, laugh-until-it-hurts comedy delivered by someone who has been doing this at the highest level for three decades. More Info

🗓️ June 27th - The Women's Basketball Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony comes to the Tennessee Theatre (604 S. Gay Street) — one of the most prestigious nights in women's basketball, and it happens right here in Knoxville, home of the WBHOF. More Info

🗓️ June 27th - Used Book Sale at the Karns Branch Library (7516 Oak Ridge Hwy) | 10:00 AM–5:00 PM More Info

See Recurring Weekly & Monthly Networking Events

🗓️Free Veterans’ Breakfast: The United Veterans Council of East Tennessee presents 17 free breakfasts for Veterans and guests on four Saturdays, monthly. Coffee line starts at 8am, Chow line starts at 8:30am. Locations and Dates

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