Our 6-year-old knows what’s up the moment the industrial-sized backpack hits the kitchen table. Mom’s in go-mode, aggressively stuffing it with granola bars, juice boxes, mini sunscreen tubes, ponchos, enough wet wipes to sanitize a small zoo, one lone Band-Aid (??) and glow sticks for reasons no one will question.
It’s happening. Festy-season is here, kid. Stretch. Hydrate. Accept your fate.
Saturday, May 17
We’ve got a double-header on deck today: the 19th annual Children’s Festival of Reading from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at World’s Fair Park, and the third-ever Holleroo from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. in Happy Holler.
Where to start? That’s between you and your higher power. But we’re not missing the Holleroo Soap Box Derby at noon. When else do you get to watch grown men cosplaying Mario Cart hurl themselves down Central in vehicles with the structural integrity of a folding chair?
Holleroo keeps the good vibes rolling all day with vendors and a live music lineup presented by Blank News starting at 4 p.m.: The Weeks, King Super and the Excellents, Kevin Abernathy and New Market Train Wrecks. The latter is one of my favorite local bands, especially since they committed to matching country-western shirts. It will also be the first event to take advantage of a recent change in city ordinances that previously restricted on-street alcohol service to downtown.
“It’s a compilation of neighbors putting Happy Holler on the map,” says Holleroo organizer Seth Barber. “It’s grown so much over the past couple years. And it’s just fun to throw a party. Did I mention it’s free?” (Yes, Seth. You did. Eight times. We got it.)
This year’s event benefits XHunger, which partners with area food banks and pantries to provide volunteers and funding. More info here.
Meanwhile, over at World’s Fair Park, the 19th annual Children’s Festival of Reading will be in full swing, featuring world-class authors and illustrators, storytellers, musicians, science demos, crafts and more. A festival favorite is the Parade of Books at 11 a.m., where everyone is invited to grab a book poster and march along.
“It’s kind of like the Bonnaroo for children’s literature,” says Mary Pom Claiborne, assistant director for marketing, communications and development at Knox County Public Library.
The festival was recently awarded the 2025 Kaleidoscope Award for Best Children’s Event from the Southeastern Festivals and Events Association. Previous years have brought big-name creators like Mo Willems (Knuffle Bunny, Elephant and Piggie), Judy Schachner (Skippyjon Jones) and Anna Dewdney (Llama Llama) to Knoxville’s youngest readers. Check out this year’s featured artists and performers here.
“I believe when a child meets an author, storyteller, illustrator or any type of creator, they are beginning to realize they too are creative and can develop storytelling skills,” Mary Pom says. “Books aren’t created out of the thin blue air — someone is behind them, developing the characters and storylines. Kids have such active imaginations, and this festival gives credence to creativity as a life path. I just love the day.”
The festival also marks the launch of Knox County Public Library’s summer programs. “Summer is a great time to fall in love with reading. It’s the time to choose books that really speak to them,” says Mary Pom.
More info here.
Sunday, May 17
Rise and shine, kiddo—we’re not done having fun yet.
This afternoon brings the 8th annual Cattywampus Parade & Street Party just across the river at Suttree Landing Park. Parade lineup starts at 2 p.m. with a 3 p.m. kickoff. The crew will march along the riverfront flanked by a flotilla of whimsical watercraft (because of course), then spill out on the festival lawn for a Block Party that runs until 6 p.m.
Stick around for performances from the Knox Honkers & Bangers, hip-hop from the Good Guy Collective, psychedelic cumbia from Rica Chicha, and more. There will also be art and play activities for all ages, circus, dancing, food vendors and enough art-fueled joy to power a small planet.
“Each parade has a theme around which we invite the community to create art—giant puppets, masks, flags and more,” said Rachel Milford, Executive & Artistic Director of Cattywampus Puppet Council. “This year’s theme is ‘Our Joy is Powerful.’”
That joy’s been building for weeks. In the lead-up to the parade, Cattywampus has partnered with organizations like the Boys & Girls Club and Centro Hispano to engage youth in puppet-making workshops. “We’re running 10 after-school sites where we work with young folks to design and create big puppets and other art around the parade theme. Over a series of nine to 10 sessions over two-and-a-half months, they get to make that art and show it off to the community,” Rachel says.
If you haven’t experienced a Cattywampus parade before … It’s beautiful. It’s bonkers. It’s one of the most wholehearted things that this community does.
Since a video is worth 10,000 words, here’s a highlight reel from last year’s parade:
Don’t let the Sevier Avenue streetscape construction scare you off (on Sunday or any day, really—go support those local businesses!). It’s plenty navigable and there’s free parking available along Waterfront Drive, Sevier Avenue, in the lots under James White Parkway near Mighty Mud, and in assorted pockets nearby (map here).
More info here.
There are even more festival-y type events happening this weekend if you feel like roaming a bit further afield, including the Smoky Mountain Scottish Festival and Highland Games Saturday-Sunday at the Townsend Visitors Center) and Tennessee River Watershed Mussel Fest on Saturday at Seven Islands Birding Park.
As always, keep an eye on Inside of Knoxville’s 10 Day Planner for all your planning needs! See you out there.