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This issue is in memory of Dolly Parton, whose love for this community was as big as her talent.
Record: HIGH - 97 in 1987 | LOW - 53 in 1917
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One Night, One Film, Two Extraordinary Songwriters - Ten Year Town Free Screening
There's a version of the music industry you see on the highlight reel — the Grammy wins, the chart toppers, the stadium tours. Ten Year Town is about everything that came before that.
A Step Ahead Foundation of East Tennessee brings this acclaimed documentary to the Bijou Theatre on September 17th for a special free evening that's equal parts film and live performance. Ten Year Town follows nine Nashville songwriters through the unglamorous, uncertain, and often beautiful years of their climb — playing empty rooms, sleeping on strangers' couches, signing first publishing deals, stepping onto the Grand Ole Opry for the first time. It's an honest portrait of perseverance and the stubborn belief that the next song, the next show, or the next year could change everything.
After the screening, the story comes to life. Erin Enderlin and Chris Canterbury — both featured in the film — take the Bijou stage for an intimate live performance, sharing the songs and storytelling that have made them two of Nashville's most respected writers.
Admission is free and open to the public. Seating is first-come, first-served. Registration is encouraged to help organizers estimate attendance, and registration does not guarantee admission if the theater reaches capacity. More Info
Knoxville Toys for Tots Needs a Building - Can You Help?
Knoxville Toys for Tots is putting out a desperate call to the community: they need a building to store toys from September through the end of December, and they need it now.
This year, the organization is expecting to serve more than 9,000 children across our community — and to do that, they need a safe, secure space to receive, store, organize, and distribute the toys that make Christmas possible for thousands of East Tennessee kids. If you or someone you know has a warehouse, building, or large storage space that could be donated or made available during this window, please reach out.
This is the kind of ask that only takes one person saying yes to change everything for thousands of families. Please share this with anyone who might be able to help.
📞 Contact Keith: (865) 679-4388
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How Knoxville Got Here — The Road to Knoxville Symposium
If you've ever wanted to understand the actual story behind how this city came to exist — not the sanitized version, but the complicated, contested, richly human one — this is the event for you.
The Knoxville History Project (KHP) presents The Road to Knoxville, a symposium at the East Tennessee History Center (601 S. Gay Street) on October 2nd, developed as part of America's 250th anniversary year. The event takes a new look at the Revolutionary War veterans and pioneers whose journeys through this region in the mid-to-late 1700s ultimately led to Knoxville's founding in 1791 — its role as capital of the Southwest Territory, and then the first capital of Tennessee.
What makes this symposium worth attending is its scope. KHP is deliberately widening the lens beyond the usual cast of government officials and prominent settlers, bringing in a broader array of characters — the people who were actually here, actually moving through this landscape as it transitioned from Native American hunting grounds to contested territory to a newly chartered city. Related tours are scheduled for October 3rd as well.
The timing is right. America's 250th birthday is a natural moment to ask harder questions about how we remember founding stories — and who gets included in them. More Info
Dogs in Costume, Dogs in Parades, Dogs Everywhere at the Howl-O-Ween Pooch Parade
The Howl-O-Ween Pooch Parade & Pet Expo returns to the UT Gardens on October 25th from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM — an afternoon celebration of dogs, costumes, fall, and the very good people who love both. Now in its twelfth year, the event is co-sponsored by UT Gardens (the State Botanical Garden of Tennessee) and the UT College of Veterinary Medicine, and it draws dog lovers from across the region for one of the most genuinely fun afternoons on Knoxville's fall calendar.
Free to attend. If you want to enter your dog in the costume parade, pre-registration is $10 per costume entry — one entry can include multiple dogs as part of a single costume. Day-of parade registration is available starting at 1:00 PM for $15.
Bring your pup, bring your camera, and bring your best Halloween spirit. The gardens are beautiful in October, and so, apparently, are the dogs. More Info
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🗓️ August 26th - 27th - The 4th Annual Secret City EMS Expo takes over 3607 Oak Ridge Turnpike in Oak Ridge — a two-day professional conference hosted by Y-12 Fire Department and Anderson County EMS and packed with education hours covering everything from hazmat operations to critical care. The event is free to attend. More Info
🗓️ August 27th - The Hub Pro Studio is hosting Sip, See, & Say Yes — a free Bridal Shower Showcase from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at 1104 Merchant Drive, Suite 103. It's a relaxed, drop-in evening designed to connect bridal shower planners with some of Knoxville's favorite local businesses, all in one beautiful event space. More Info & RSVP
🗓️ August 27th - Knoxville Museum of Art is hosting a Music for Seniors Free Daytime Concert from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM at 1050 World's Fair Park Dr SW — and it's open to the public, no ticket required. 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 29th - Local author Morgan Edwards celebrates the release of their newest novel, The Moon's Promise, at 12:00 PM at The Kraken's Cup (4815 N Broadway, Suite 107). It's a free community event and a chance to meet the author, get your copy, and hear about the book straight from the person who wrote it.
🗓️ August 29th - Lanterns & Legends returns to Ancient Lore Village (7107 Sevierville Pike) at 7:00 PM — a full evening of dinner, handmade lanterns, a glowing scavenger hunt, woodland characters, acoustic music, and a fire or illuminated LED performance as the village comes to life after dark. It's one of those nights that earns the word "magical" without trying too hard. More Info & Reservations
🗓️ August 29th - The music will take over Yee-Haw Brewing Co., Central Filling Station, Schulz Bräu Brewing, Next Level Brewing, and Corner Lounge, creating a unique music discovery festival featuring some of the best up-and-coming talent from Knoxville and beyond. More Info
🗓️ August 29th - Powell Branch Used Book Sale (330 W Emory Rd) Friday, 10:00 AM–5:00 PM at the Powell Branch Library. One-day sale, all the good stuff.
🗓️ August 29th - Flutter into a day of family fun and discovery at Stanley's Ninth Annual Butterfly Festival from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. This free community event celebrates one of nature's most fascinating pollinators while offering activities and educational experiences for all ages. More Info
🗓️ 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
🗓️ August 31st - The UT Creative Writing Program presents a reading by Rochelle Hurt — poet, nonfiction writer, and University of Tennessee faculty member — at 7:00 PM in the Lindsay Young Auditorium of John C. Hodges Library on the UT campus. The event is free and open to the public. More Info
🗓️ August 31st - Knoxville will come together for a meaningful evening of remembrance, awareness, recovery, and hope during International Overdose Awareness Day from 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM. To learn more email: [email protected]
🗓️ September 1st - IBN Business Mastermind meets September 1st from 7:00 AM to 8:30 AM at Beaver Brook Golf & Country Club (6800 Beaver Brook Drive). It's a tight, focused morning session built around making genuine connections with other Knoxville-area business owners and professionals. More Info
🗓️ September 1st - Adventure Field Day and Owl Presentation Field day activities for all ages, plus a special owl presentation. One of those evenings that's equally fun for kids and adults. More Info
🗓️ September 2nd-20th - Clarence Brown Theatre presents Jeffrey Hatcher's electrifying adaptation of Dial M for Murder — opening night September 2nd at 7:30 PM at the Clarence Brown Theatre on the UT campus. The show runs through September 20th, with performances most Wednesdays through Saturdays at 7:30 PM and Sunday matinees at 2:00 PM. More Info
🗓️ September 3rd - Amy Speace — award-winning singer-songwriter and author — brings The Cardinals Tour: Words & Music to The Open Chord Stage (8502 Kingston Pike), just two days after her debut book of poetry hits shelves. It's her first live show built around the intersection of her music and the new book, making this a genuinely rare kind of evening — part concert, part literary event, all Amy Speace. More Info
🗓️ September 3rd - Experience the beauty of music and nature at Knoxville Symphony in the Garden at the Knoxville Botanical Garden & Arboretum. More Info
🗓️ September 4th - The Arts & Culture Alliance opens five exhibitions at the Emporium Center (100 S. Gay Street) from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM — a free evening with the exhibiting artists and live music by Nick Swatson. More Info
🗓️ September 4th - The Goonies (1985, PG-13) @ Mabry-Hazen House · mabryhazen.com · Presented by Pellissippi State
🗓️ September 4th - Grab your favorite four-legged friend and enjoy a magical night under the stars at Ijams Nature Center for a special screening of All Dogs Go to Heaven as part of the Movies Under the Stars series presented by Ijams and Central Cinema. More Info
🗓️ September 3rd–20th Get ready for romance, ridiculous misunderstandings, and plenty of theatrical chaos when the Tellico Community Players present Ken Ludwig's hilarious farce, Moon Over Buffalo, September 3–20 at the Tellico Community Playhouse in Loudon. More Info
🗓️ September 6th - 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
🗓️ September 10th - Scruffy's Cafe is teaming up with The Plant Trolley — Knoxville's beloved mobile plant truck — for their very first Planter Painting Night, happening from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at 1015 North Broadway. It's cozy, it's creative, and if you have even a passing fondness for cats or plants, you're going to have a great time. More Info
🗓️ September 11th - The Fab Four: The Ultimate Tribute brings their all-new HELP! show to the Bijou Theatre at 7:30 PM — a full evening celebrating The Beatles' iconic second film and its soundtrack, along with the greatest hits from every era of the band's ever-changing career. More Info
🗓️ September 11th - Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975, PG) @ James White's Fort · jameswhitesfort.org
🗓️ September 11th-12th - Farragut Branch Used Book Sale (417 N Campbell Station Rd) Two days, 10:00 AM–5:00 PM each day. Go ahead and put it on the fall calendar now.
🗓️ September 11th-20th - The Tennessee Valley Fair opens at Chilhowee Park — ten days of everything that makes a real county fair: agricultural competitions, carnival rides, fair food, exhibits, and the kind of community atmosphere that only shows up once a year. Over 125,000 visitors from across the region will make their way through the gates before it's over. More Info
🗓️ September 11th-13th - A Knoxville tradition for nearly 50 years, Greek Fest at St. George Greek Orthodox Church (4070 Kingston Pike) returns, inviting the community to enjoy authentic Greek food, music, dancing, culture, and hospitality. More Info
🗓️ September 12th - Bluegrass Music will fill the air at Deep Well Farm in Lenoir City! There will be live music all day from various porches and the main stage. A huge playground for the kids, the vendor village, food trucks and more! The gates will open at Noon with porch picking beginning at 12:30pm and the main stage performances begin at 3pm. More Info
🗓️ September 12th - The eight-piece band of self-described "5,000-year-old Egyptian Mummies" brings their cult-favorite show to the World's Fair Park Performance Lawn — a concert experience that defies easy description but lands somewhere between world-class musicianship, full-blown funk party, and the most entertaining thing you'll see all year. More Info
🗓️ September 12th - Punk Rock Flea Market Knoxville 2026 takes over the Mill & Mine (227 W Depot Ave) from Noon to 9 PM — the street closes down, 200 themed vendors set up shop, the music doesn't stop, and the whole thing runs nine hours straight. Tattooing, food trucks, and brews round out the day. More Info
🗓️ September 12th - Knoxville Car Show 2026 | Classic Car Community returns to Christ United Methodist Church (7535 Maynardville Pike) from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM — hosted by Christ UMC's United Methodist Men in partnership with the Halls Crossroads Historical Museum. Register a Vehicle
🗓️ September 12th - Literary Legends Book Festival, hosted by Brooke Woods and the Literary Legends Knoxville Book Club, is taking over Kern's Food Hall (2110 Chapman Hwy) from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM — and admission is completely free. Just head to Eventbrite and reserve your spot so the organizers know how many book lovers are coming. More Info & Tickets
🗓️ September 12th - Looking ahead: the Tennessee Smart Yards and Friends Festival is set for 10:00 AM–2:00 PM at the University of Tennessee Gardens. More Info
🗓️ September 12th: Get ready for one of Knoxville's most unique shopping and entertainment experiences! The Punk Rock Flea Market Knoxville returns to The Mill & Mine bringing an all-day celebration of art, music, food, and alternative culture. More Info
🗓️ September 12th - Powell Pet Palooza 2026 — the second annual community celebration for pet lovers in the Powell area — returns to Beaver Ridge United Methodist Church (7753 Oak Ridge Hwy) on September 12th from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. The event is organized by the Powell Small Business Network and Sara's Waggy Tails LLC, and they're promising bigger and better than last year.
🗓️ September 12th - The Marine Mud Run returns to Harmony Family Center (4901 Montvale Road, Maryville), and this year they're shaking things up — new course layout, new obstacles, and new mud added to the classics. What stays the same: roughly 3 miles of off-road running through scenic trails, fields, hills, and mud pits, finished off with water. Wear old clothes and shoes. Showers are on site. Register; More Info
🗓️ September 12th - Get ready for an exciting day of shopping, food, music, and family fun at the newly reimagined Lenoir City Street Festival in Historic Downtown Lenoir City! More Info
🗓️ September 12th - 13th - Discover the rich history, traditions, and culture of the Cherokee people at the 35th Annual Cherokee Fall Festival, taking place September 12–13 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Sequoyah Birthplace Museum in Vonore, Tennessee. More Info
🗓️ September 14th - Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass & Other Delights comes to the Tennessee Theatre (604 S. Gay Street) at 7:30 PM. Alpert is one of music's true originals: an eight-time Grammy winner, co-founder of A&M Records, and the man behind some of the most recognizable brass arrangements in the history of recorded sound. More Info
🗓️ September 15th - Food lovers won't want to miss Taste of Blount 2026, taking place September 15 from 6–8 p.m. at Theater in the Park in Maryville. This annual event showcases the best of Blount County's culinary scene, featuring samples from local restaurants, caterers, and gourmet grocers. More Info
🗓️ September 17th - Knox County Mobile Meals and the Knoxville-Knox County Community Action Committee are hosting Power of the Purse® 2026 at Rothchild Catering and Conference Center (8807 Kingston Pike) — doors open at 4:45 PM and Purse Madness starts at 6:00 PM sharp. More Info & Tickets
🗓️ September 17th-19th - The 26th Annual Dumplin Valley Bluegrass Festival takes over 525 East Dumplin Valley Road in Kodak - just off I-40 exit 407, a quick 22 miles from downtown Knoxville — for three full days. Gates open for music each day at noon, and the picking goes until 11:00 PM — rain or shine, under a covered performance area that keeps the show going no matter what the sky decides to do. More Info
🗓️ September 18th - Knoxville Women in Technology presents the 2026 Knoxville Women in Tech Expo: Grow Better, Together at 9:00 AM at the Knoxville Convention Center (701 Henley Street). More Info
🗓️ September 18th - 2 Brothers and Sunflower Village Farm are launching Bonfire Fridays — a recurring series of kid-friendly outdoor networking nights built around good company, open air, and a proper bonfire. The series kicks off September 18th from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the Anderson County Chamber of Commerce in Clinton before moving to 188 Hill Road for the remaining dates: October 16th, November 20th, and December 18th - all 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM.
🗓️ September 18th-20th - Vintage Market Days® of Knoxville returns to the Knoxville Expo Center (5441 Clinton Hwy) for a full weekend (Friday and Saturday from 10 AM, Sunday wrapping at 3 PM) — with the theme "An American Story." More Info
🗓️ September 18th - Knox County Master Gardeners and Beardsley Farm are hosting a free Gardening Workshop at Beardsley Farm (1741 Reynolds Street) from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM, focused on three of the most practical topics for this time of year: cover crops, hot composting, and fall gardening. More Info & Register
🗓️ September 18th - Herbie Fully Loaded (2005, G) @ Farragut Museum · visitfarragut.org
🗓️ September 18th - Raise a glass to an unforgettable evening at the 2026 Tennessee Cocktail Festival on September 18, from 6:00–9:15 PM at The Mill & Mine in downtown Knoxville.
🗓️ September 19th - Marble Springs State Historic Site hosts Sevier Day 281 from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM at 1220 W. Governor John Sevier Highway — a free, all-day living history celebration honoring John Sevier's 281st birthday. The tagline says it best: "Party like it's 1745." More Info
🗓️ September 19th - October 11th - Prost! One of Knoxville's favorite fall traditions is back as Schulz Bräu Oktoberfest 2026 returns with weeks of authentic Bavarian fun, live entertainment, and unforgettable festivities.
🗓️ September 19th - November 7th - Walnut Springs Winery in Strawberry Plains is launching their Wine Maze experience — A Night of Pour Decisions. The concept is exactly what it sounds like: you wander through the corn maze with wine in hand, discovering five tasting stations tucked into the twists and turns, each one bringing a new pour and a new vibe. Boots are encouraged. Getting a little lost is part of the fun. More Info & Tickets
🗓️ September 20th - Concord Yacht Club (CYC) and the Concord Sailing Center are hosting a Community Open House on September 20th from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM at 11600 S. Northshore Drive — and the public is warmly invited. Whether you've always been curious about sailing, you're looking for a meaningful community to get involved with, or you just want to spend a September afternoon on the shores of Fort Loudoun Lake, this is your moment to walk through the gates and see what 75 years of volunteer spirit looks like up close.
🗓️ September 23rd - The Kraken's Cup Tearoom and Schakolad Chocolate Factory have teamed up for A Chocola-TEA Experience: Tea and Chocolate Pairing — a guided flavor adventure at 6 PM at The Kraken's Cup (4815 N Broadway, Suite 107). More Info
🗓️ September 25th - Scruffy City Orchestra presents their Fall Concert: Nordisk Skjønnhet (Nordic Beauty) at 8:00 PM at 711 S. Northshore Drive — a program named in honor of Johan Svendsen's magnificent Symphony No. 2 in B-flat major, which closes the evening. Admission is free, but reservations are required. More Info
🗓️ September 25th - Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989, PG) @ Blount Mansion · blountmansion.org
🗓️ September 26th - Friends of the Knox County Public Library is hosting the Book Fair for Adults from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM at the East Tennessee History Center (601 S Gay St) — and it's free to get in.
🗓️ September 27th - The Green Thumb Gala returns to the Knoxville Botanical Garden and Arboretum for an unforgettable evening celebrating the beauty of the Garden and the community that helps it thrive. More Info
🗓️ September 29th - Trustegrity is hosting a Guns and Networking Fall Event on September 29th from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Windrock Shooting Range & Training Center (720 Windrock Rd, Oliver Springs) — a full afternoon of shooting sports, fresh mountain air, and the kind of relaxed conversation that only happens when you're not standing around a hotel conference room with a lukewarm cup of coffee. More Info
🗓️ October 2nd - Ghostbusters (1984, PG) @ Marble Springs State Historic Site · marblesprings.net · Presented by Borderland Tees
🗓️ October 6th - Firepits and S'mores Galore with Fairy House Building A perfect fall night at the quarry — firepits, s'mores, and the creative magic of building tiny fairy houses in the woods. More Info
🗓️ October 7th - Up (2009, PG) @ Historic Westwood · knoxheritage.org/westwood
🗓️ October 10th - Hola Festival 2026 takes over World's Fair Park on October 10th from 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM — a full day celebrating the art, music, food, and culture of Latin America and the Hispanic community right here in Knoxville. More Info
🗓️ October 17th - The October Sky Festival returns to Oliver Springs on from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM — a free, all-day community celebration of the town's rich heritage and its place in American cultural history. Oliver Springs was the filming location for the beloved 1998 film October Sky, based on Homer Hickam's memoir about a coal miner's son who fell in love with rocketry and went on to work for NASA. More Info
Networking:
Veterans:
🗓️Free Veterans’ Breakfast: The United Veterans Council of East Tennessee presents 20 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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