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There's a reason Grayson Subaru keeps choosing Ijams Nature Center.

For the sixth time overall — and the third consecutive year — Grayson Subaru selected Ijams as its hometown charity partner for the Subaru Share the Love® Event, and the results speak for themselves: a check for $45,550 was just presented to Ijams to fund two ongoing projects: the expansion of the Ijams Nature Playscape at Grayson Subaru Preserve and improvements to the Mead's Quarry Lake swim area.

The Subaru Share the Love® Event ran from November 15, 2025 through January 2, 2026. For every new Subaru purchased or leased at participating retailers during that window, Subaru of America donated a minimum of $300 to the buyer's choice of national charities or the retailer's selected hometown charity. In 18 years, the program has generated more than $346 million for charities nationwide. The 2025 event alone raised $26 million, with more than $18.6 million going to a record 839 hometown charities across the country.

Grayson's piece of that — $45,550 — goes directly toward something you'll be able to visit. Phase 2 of the Nature Playscape will be a smaller-footprint companion to Phase 1, situated on the south side of the Mead's Quarry parking lot where it connects the quarry to the existing playscape. It will feature climbing and balance elements, nature-inspired musical and art pieces, and quiet sitting spots, all designed around the landscape left behind by the site's former limestone mining history — the hills and valleys that now serve as what Ijams calls "forest playrooms." An existing outdoor classroom is also being revitalized as part of the project. Phase 2 is scheduled to open in spring 2027.

"The Grayson Subaru family is so proud to participate in the Subaru Share the Love Event each year," said Grayson Marketing Manager Dan Moyers. "Subaru fans are a diverse bunch who come together on one thing: They strongly believe in giving back and making a difference in their community."

Ijams CEO Amber Parker put it simply: "Thanks to them, children will have another safe place to play and explore nature, and our visitors will have more access to the lake at Mead's Quarry."

Ijams Nature Center is a 338-acre nonprofit greenspace in the heart of Knoxville, open daily from 8:00 AM until dusk. For more information, visit Ijams.org or call 865-577-4717.

If you grew up staying up late to watch Rhonda Shear host Up All Night on USA Network, here's your chance to meet her in person this weekend.

FrankenCon 2026 takes over the Hilton Knoxville Airport (2001 Alcoa Hwy, Alcoa) for a full three-day celebration of horror, cult film, comics, wrestling, and paranormal culture — June 26th - June 28th. And it all kicks off even earlier with a free pre-show event on June 25th.

We had the chance to sit down with Rhonda ahead of the convention, and she's everything you'd hope for — funny, warm, and genuinely excited to connect with fans. Watch our full interview right here:

▶️ Watch: Knoxville Insider Interview with Rhonda Shear

Rhonda is headlining Saturday night at 9:00 PM with her signature event: Rhonda Shear's Up All Night Slumber Party — a late-night nostalgia-fest packed with surprises, laughs, and the anything-can-happen energy that made Up All Night a cult phenomenon. Break out the pajamas. This one is included with all ticket levels, no upgrades required.

The guest lineup reads like a dream cast for horror fans. Camille Keaton (I Spit on Your Grave), Linnea Quigley, Brinke Stevens, Michelle Bauer, and Amelia Kinkade are all on hand for the Scream Queens experience, with photo ops and panels throughout the weekend. The original Toxic Avenger — leads the Toxic Avenger reunion on Saturday. Danny Hassel breaks down his most iconic scenes on Saturday afternoon. And closing out Saturday night at 10:00 PM is Brian Bremer's Karaoke of Madness, which is exactly what it sounds like, and it's included with every ticket level.

Here's the weekend at a glance:

June 25th — FREE Pre-Show @ 8:00 PM: World Premiere screening of Donald Farmer's Scream Queen Weenie Roast!, hosted by Jessa Jupiter Flux, with Donald Farmer and cast in attendance. Free hotdogs while supplies last. No ticket required — just show up.

June 26th: FrankenStories short story contest comes to life at 6 PM, Night of the Demons Panel at 7 PM, Toxic Avenger Screening with live commentary (paid add-on) at 8 PM, and the Late Night Movie at 10 PM.

June 27th: A packed day of panels, the Cosplay Contest at 4:00 PM (winners take home the legendary FrankenTrophy), FrankenFilm Fest at 7:00 PM, Rhonda Shear's Slumber Party at 9:00 PM, and Karaoke of Madness at 10:00 PM. Also Saturday only: micro wrestling sensations Syko and Pinkie Shortcake from Little Brawlers make their FrankenCon debut.

June 28th — SundayFX: A love letter to practical effects and movie magic, with Cosplay 101, live special effects demonstrations, behind-the-scenes panels, and a celebration of the craft of filmmaking.

FrankenKids runs all three days with a kids cosplay contest and an activity corner in the lobby. Children 12 and under get in free. Military and First Responders get free admission on Sunday, June 28th with valid I.D.

The Fat Bear Tavern food truck will be on-site all three days, and The Watchtower Afterhours cash bar keeps the evening going after hours. Parking is free for FrankenCon attendees at the Hilton (first come, first served — overflow is Lot C at the airport, for a fee). More Info & Tickets

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

Recurring events

🗓️ June 24th - Camp Webb 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 24th - AJ Lee & Blue Summit play the Bijou Theatre (803 S. Gay Street) on July 24th, with doors at 7:00 PM and the show at 8:00 PM. Tickets start at $25–$35+ and are available at the link below. More Info

🗓️ June 24th - The next Maker Mingle drops in at Real Good Kitchen (2004 E. Magnolia Avenue) on June 24th from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM. The format couldn't be simpler: show up, meet makers, talk about what you're building. No agenda, no panels, no pressure. Just Knoxville's creative community in the same room, doing what creative communities do best. More Info & Register

🗓️ June 24th-27th - Steve Kaufman's Acoustic Kamp celebrates its 30th Annual Bluegrass Week June 21st–27th at Maryville College — and it's widely considered one of the finest acoustic music camps in the country. More Info

🗓️ June 24th-27th - The 2026 AAU Girls Basketball World Championships comes to Knoxville from June 24th–28th, with games taking place at the Knoxville Convention Center (701 Henley Street) and the adjacent World's Fair Exhibition Hall. 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 24th-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 24th-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 25th - The Zoo Knoxville Summer Concert Series is returning to the Boyd Foundation Boardwalk at Clayton Timber Loop (3500 Knoxville Zoo Drive). The series opens with Pulp Friction. More Info

🗓️ June 25th - A room full of Knoxville neighbors will sit down together over a shared meal — and then decide, by popular vote, where hundreds of dollars in community funding goes. That's the idea behind Knoxville SOUP, and it's as simple and powerful as it sounds. Doors open at 5:30 PM at Kerbela Temple (315 Mimosa Ave.) Come hungry, stay curious, and leave knowing your evening meant something. More Info

🗓️ June 25th - B&B Indoor Foam Dart Arena (6709 Maynardville Pike) is hosting their premier summer event of the season: the Blitzfire Summer Battle Event, running from 3:00 PM–10:00 PM. This isn't a regular open-play day. Blitzfire brings extended play sessions, special game modes, and a competitive format that gives everyone — from first-timers to regulars — something to rise to. The event is recommended for ages 12 and up. 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 - Summer is peak boating season, and the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, Knoxville-First Flotilla wants to make sure you're out there safely. Their full-day BOAT AMERICA recreational boating safety course is coming at the Church at Sterchi Hills (904 Dry Gap Pike) from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Registration deadline is June 26th. To sign up, contact Flotilla Staff Officer Randy Woods at [email protected]. More Info

🗓️ June 27th - The Third Annual Blackberry Festival and 5K takes over 2910 W Emory Road in Powell from 9:00 AM–2:00 PM, hosted by Powell Presbyterian Church — and the lineup is everything a perfect summer Saturday should be. 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

🗓️ July 1st - Josiah & The Bonnevilles bring their Redline North American Tour to the Bijou (803 S. Gay Street) at 7:30 PM — and if you haven't heard this band yet, you're in for a treat. More Info

🗓️ July 1st-31st - The "Where's Waldo?" Scavenger Hunt is returning to Downtown Knoxville, and it's free for the whole family. Starting July 1st and running all month long, Waldo will be hiding inside dozens of downtown businesses — shops, restaurants, museums, galleries, and more — just waiting to be spotted. More Info

🗓️ July 2nd - The Zoo Knoxville Summer Concert Series is returning to the Boyd Foundation Boardwalk at Clayton Timber Loop (3500 Knoxville Zoo Drive), featuring The Alex Leach Band, performing bluegrass. More Info

🗓️ July 4th - The City of Knoxville's Festival on the 4th returns to World's Fair Park Performance and Festival Lawns from 5:00 PM–10:00 PM — and with free admission, free parking, live music, and fireworks over the downtown skyline, this is the quintessential East Tennessee Fourth of July. More Info

🗓️ July 10th - Soundscapes at the Knoxville Museum of Art returns, with nationally touring saxophonist and multi-instrumentalist Saxl Rose taking the stage at 7:30 PM (doors open at 6:30 PM). More Info

🗓️ July 10th - Movies Under the Stars returns for its 14th year at Ijams Nature Center, and the July screening is a classic that'll hit different under an open sky. All Dogs Go to Heaven screens at the Ijams Visitor Center Lawn (2915 Island Home Ave.) Doors open at 7:00 PM, and the movie begins at dark — roughly 9:00 PM in July. Arrive early to grab a good spot. More Info

🗓️ July 10th-12th - FanBoy Expo takes over the Knoxville Convention Center (701 Henley Street) for three action-packed days — and with over 30,000 fans attending each summer event, this is one of the biggest and most electric weekends on the Knoxville calendar. More Info

🗓️ July 11th - WIVK's Southern Life Expo, presented by Visit My Smokies, is coming to the Knoxville Expo Center from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM — and the best part? It's completely free to attend. More Info

🗓️ July 11th - Mark your calendar: the America's 250th Anniversary Celebration at the Cove comes to The Cove at Concord Park for a full day of free, family-friendly festivities presented by Visit Knoxville and Knox County, starting at 11:00 AM. More Info

🗓️ July 29th - One of the most celebrated voices in rock history is coming to Knoxville. Graham Nash brings his Live on Tour 2026 to the Bijou on July 29th at 7:30 PM — and with a career spanning more than six decades, this is as close to a living history of contemporary music as you can get in one evening. More Info

🗓️ July 31st-August 1st - The Kuumba Festival — East Tennessee's largest African American Cultural Arts Festival — returns to Market Square, and it is exactly what it sounds like: a full, joyful, free celebration of culture, community, craft, and creativity in the middle of the city. More Info

🗓️ July 31st-August 2nd - CreepyCon 2026 celebrates its 10th Anniversary at the Knoxville Convention Center (701 Henley Street) from July 31st through August 2nd — and Tennessee's biggest Halloween and horror convention has never looked better. More Info

🗓️ August 8th - Irish Fest on the Hill returns at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in downtown Knoxville, from 2:00 PM - 10:00 PM. The event honors Knoxville's deep Irish heritage through an afternoon of live Irish bands, traditional Irish dancers, kids' games, and classic Irish food — the kind of spread that leaves everyone happy and full. More Info

🗓️ August 9th - Old City Market transforms West Jackson Avenue into an outdoor showcase of Knoxville makers, artists, bakers, and crafters on the 3rd Sunday of every month from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM — additional markets are on Sept 20th, Oct 18th, and Dec 13th. More Info

🗓️ August 9th - The Back-to-School Bash at B&B Indoor Foam Dart Arena (6709 Maynardville Pike) is happening from noon to 4:00 PM. More Info

🗓️ August 15th - History Hootenanny returns to the East Tennessee History Center (601 S Gay St) and Krutch Park, running 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM — and the best part is that it's completely free and open to the public. More Info

🗓️ August 22nd - GermanFest Knoxville returns to First Lutheran Church (1207 Broadway) from 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM — a full nine hours of German culture, Southern hospitality, and the kind of sheer, wholehearted fun that you can only find at a festival that includes competitive dachshund racing. More Info

🗓️ August 28th - Appalachian Arts Craft Center is hosting Appalachian Voices: Stories, Laughter & Creativity — a special community luncheon celebrating creativity, storytelling, and the rich culture of Appalachian life. The event takes place at the Oak Ridge Conference Center (1403 Oak Ridge Turnpike, Oak Ridge) from 11:45 AM to 1:15 PM. More Info & Tickets

🗓️ August 30th - The 13th Annual Knox Asian Festival takes over World's Fair Park and the Knoxville Museum of Art from 10:30 AM to 6:30 PM. Presented by the Asian Culture Center of Tennessee, this is one of the most genuinely immersive cultural events in the entire state — and it's right here in Knoxville. More Info

🗓️ September 16th - Big Kahuna Wing Festival at World's Fair Park; Thousands of pounds of wings; Competitive wing cook-off; Wing eating contest; Live entertainment; Kids activities; Pyro musical fireworks show. 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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