This post represents a combination of ideas which are completely unrelated. I have these piano pictures from several weeks ago that I really wanted to have on the blog, but there isn’t really much to say about them except that I absolutely love the pianos in public places. I first heard about it several years ago on NPR when New York City placed pianos throughout Manhattan. I never imagined we would do such a cool thing. I’ve heard some very good music – and some not so good – but it’s all good fun.
Of course, this weekend is the International Biscuit Festivaland since I didn’t have any great pictures of biscuits, I decided to meld the pictures of pianos with the text about the biscuit festival. This is the first time I’ve actually been able to see the festival in person. I’ve been out of town the previous two times, so I’m pumped. The event has grown faster than anyone imagined, so come early and expect very large crowds. Last year’s crowds were estimated at 15,000 and this year organizers expect to top 20,000. I understand that the footprint of the event was expanded to ease the crowding problems.
The day starts with the biscuit breakfast at 9:00, but don’t let the start time fool you. Tickets go on sale at the door (Krutch Park) at 8:00 for a paltry $10 and this event will turn away dozens if not hundreds, so be there early. If you want something a bit more elegant, Blackberry Farms is presenting a biscuit brunch at 11:00 for $85.00 a pop. The Biscuit bake-off is at 12:00 and the Mr. and Miss Biscuit Pageant is at 3:00.
Other portions of the festival run all day, with a Biscuit Bazaar Vendor Area on Clinch Avenue from 9:00 – 5:00 and a Biscuit Boulevard Tasting area on Market Street from 9:00 to 3:00. It promises to be a full day of fun and lard for the entire family.
The Biscuit Festival will be the big event of the weekend, but there will certainly be other diversions if biscuits aren’t your thing. Here are a few highlights for you to consider:
- Alive After Five featuring Milele Roots (described as “Reggaelicious Dub Funk for your soul”): 6:00 Friday at the KMA
- Black Cadillacs CD Release Party: 9:00 Friday at the Square Room
- Tim Lee 3: 10:00 Friday at Toots (Happy Holler)
- Aftah Party: 10:00 Friday at Barley’s
- Hudson K: 10:00 Friday at Preservation Pub
- Children’s Festival of Reading: 10:00 – 3:00, World’s Fair Park, featuring an amazing array of children’s fun including many authors such as Newbery Honor Winner Gail Carson Levine
- Biscuit Day at the Daylight Building: All Day Saturday – Vintage Aprons at Reruns, Biscuit Poetry, Food Writers and Jack Rentfro and the Apocalypso Quartet at Union Avenue Books, Great Biscuits at Just Ripe and 50% off a photo session at John Black Studio
- Market Square Farmers’ Market 9:00 – 2:00
- Downtown Walking Tour Launch: 11:00 and 2:00 from the Visitor’s Center – Designed to be self-guided, these two tours will be led by Kim Trent of Knox Heritage
- Neon Trees with Twin Atlantic and the Active Set: 8:00 Saturday at the Bijou
- Vance Thompson and Larry Vincent (jazz): 9:00 Bijou at the Bistro
Have a great weekend in Knoxville, everybody!
