A couple of things are happening around downtown this week (through next Monday) that warrant highlighting. One celebrates the season, while the other is a final celebration for an event that happened forty years ago and helped shape modern Knoxville. One is free for the family, and the other is a ticketed event.
First, “Wicked Cool” is underway and celebrates Halloween with a series of events and displays scattered throughout downtown. It offers fun adventures for the kids, for sure, but also for their older counterparts. You’ll find “photo opportunities, activities and specials” throughout downtown.
In Market Square, on Gay Street and in the Old City, you’ll find creepy spiders, hovering apparitions, the dreaded black cats and spooky lighting. The event had its first run last year and so returned for a second year in a bigger and better form. You’ll also find Halloween-themed treats for the kids and cocktails for the adults at selected merchants.
Of course, there are lots of opportunities for selfies scattered about and you’re encouraged to share your photos on social media platforms with the tag #KnoxHalloween and to tag @downtownknox. You can find all the details here. Included is a scavenger hunt to find the nine black cats hidden in business windows (clues here). Don’t miss the Krutch Park Creature and the Full Moon photo op outside the Chamber.
All the fun is brought to you by the Downtown Knoxville Alliance.
The second event is brought to you by Visit Knoxville and represents the concluding event for the 40th Anniversary Celebration of Knoxville’s hosting of the World’s Fair in 1982. The event will be hosted at the Foundry this Friday and will include a menu that mirrors one from the World’s Fair, including steak, with beer and wine included.
The night begins with a reception and the dinner includes memories of the fair shared by former Mayor Tyree, Bo Roberts, and other guests. A panel discussion will include Sam Maynard, Patricia Robledo, and Jack Neely, all of whom were involved with the fair. An auction will follow the dinner, with items from the 1982 World’s Fair, as well as trips and more.
Tickets are $175 per person or $1500 for a table of 10. You can learn more about the event here and order tickets here.