I generally write about downtown Knoxville as I’ve experienced it – meaning the events, situations and people I write about have already been encountered. Sometimes I write about upcoming events and I often gets asked to do more of that. So, here are a few events coming up tonight through this weekend that you might enjoy.
The action gets started tonight with the free Thursday concert on the Market Square stage. Sean McCollough will bring his Kidstuff show to the square and I’m sure he’ll have a number of surprises in store for that. I’ve seen Sean do his show each of the last two weekends, starting with his first live remote from the World’s Fair Park and the Children’s Festival of Reading and then this past weekend live at the Knoxville Visitor’s Center.
His show is for children and for their parents with fun, interactive songs as well as more serious songs popping in on an occasion. He is a true musicologist as well as a talented player, so it’s educational for everyone. All the Thursday shows start at 7:00 and this will be the same. Bring a chair, buy a Tomato Head pizza and settle in for some good, kid-centered fun.
Friday at the same spot the children’s entertainment keeps on rolling with Knoxville’s Largest Kid Party. Here are photographs from last year’s event. This year’s version runs from 3:00 – 8:00 and features giant gymnastics, obstacle courses, bounce houses, face painting, hip hop dance lessons and, of course, festival food. It’s sponsored by Premier Athletics and should be great for all the young ‘uns. I think wristbands for children are $5.00.
If you want something a little more adult on your Friday evening, you might consider the Beers and Steers event at Saw Works Brewing Company, 708 East Depot Avenue. The fun starts at 6:00 and runs until 8:00 and is centered around the great Saw Works brews and the organic, non-GMO, grass-fed beef provided from Century Harvest Farms via the Hoof Farm Fresh Food Truck. They also offer subscription meats delivered monthly for pick-up at Saw Works as well as special orders for ground beef and steaks. The event will also feature corn-hole and $5.00 growler re-fills.
Saturday always starts with the Market Square Farmers’ Market which runs from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM, but there’s much more going on. Up at James White Fort the folks there will celebrate Statehood Day as our state turns 217 years old. The blacksmithing demonstrations and all the other events are free, though donations are always appreciated.
Saturday is also the kickoff day for the Film and Music Festival. The kickoff party at Preservation Pub at 10:00 PM will feature several bands. Music flows through the week at various venues culminating with a concert in the Old City June 8. The film portion of the event runs the following week with special screenings around town, a film contest and more parties and music. There is a strong educational component with various seminars on the industry and film-making. I believe a ticket to attend everything may be had for $50.00. All the details are here.
Whatever you decide to do, get out and enjoy this crazy-good city of ours. Hopefully I’ll run into you somewhere along the way.