Knoxville, TN August 2026

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A Season of Gratitude

There is something special about August in East Tennessee. Just like that, our thoughts begin to turn toward the changing season. For some, the focus is on back-to-school preparations, while others are savoring every last golden day of summer before autumn arrives. Having lived here all my life, I continue to be amazed that each year brings new surprises, fresh experiences and renewed promise. That enduring sense of discovery is one of the many reasons I am so grateful to call Knoxville home. As summer lingers and a new season unfolds, it is with great pleasure that Marc and I welcome you to our August issue.

Each month, we have the privilege of sharing stories that remind us why Knoxville is such an extraordinary place to live. We are continually inspired by the kindness, generosity and dedication of the people who quietly make a difference every day. These are neighbors, entrepreneurs, volunteers and community leaders whose actions strengthen our city and enrich the lives of others.

We are passionate about celebrating the people, businesses and organizations that give Knoxville its unique character. It is an honor to tell their stories and shine a light on the goodness that surrounds us.

To our loyal readers, thank you for welcoming us into your homes each month. Your readership and encouragement inspire us to continue telling stories that celebrate the very best of our community.

We are equally grateful to our family of advertising partners. Their investment in this magazine and in our community makes every issue possible. We encourage you to support the local businesses that support us, as they are an important part of what makes Knoxville thrive.

As you enjoy these last days of summer, we hope this issue reminds you of the remarkable people and places that make our city so special. Thank you for allowing us to share their stories. We are honored to celebrate Knoxville with you each month.

With gratitude,

August 2026

PUBLISHER

Marc Rochelson | marc.rochelson@citylifestyle.com

MANAGING EDITOR

Amy Campbell | amy.campbell@citylifestyle.com

EDITORIAL COORDINATOR

Chelsea Babin | chelsea.babin@citylifestyle.com

COPY EDITOR

Matias Arredondo | matias.arredondo@citylifestyle.com

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Patricia Storm Broyles, Paul James, Jack Neely, Leslie Wylie Bateman, Chelsea Babin, Eric Foster

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Shawn Poynter, Ben Finch, Jack Neely, Calvin M. McClung Historical Collection, Knoxville History Project, Chelsea Babin Photography, Leslie Wylie Bateman, Dolly Parton Children's Hospital, ASTROrdinary Dobbs Foundation Inc., Eric Foster, MUSE Knoxville, Pat Watson, ProClean Group LLC

Corporate Team

CEO Steven Schowengerdt

President Matthew Perry

COO David Stetler

CRO Jamie Pentz

CoS Janeane Thompson

AD DESIGNER Jenna Crawford

LAYOUT DESIGNER Kathy Nguyen

QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Megan Cagle

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IF YOU ARE READING THIS... SO IS

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Clayton Center for the Arts Receives Grant

The Clayton Center for the Arts in Maryville has received a 2026 Arts Fund for East Tennessee grant from the East Tennessee Foundation to support its “Share Our Stages” initiative. This program removes financial barriers for regional performing arts organizations by providing access to professional theater spaces, production support and marketing services. The initiative will provide at least five nonprofit arts groups with rehearsal and performance opportunities during the upcoming cycle. Learn more at ClaytonArtsCenter.com

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Febb Burn Banquet 2026

Celebrate the power of women’s voices at the 2026 Febb Burn Banquet, East Tennessee’s premier women’s celebration and fundraising event. Held on Aug. 18, from 6 to 9 p.m. at Bridgewater Place in Knoxville, the evening honors the legacy of the suffragists and the historic Tennessee women who helped shape American history. Featuring keynote speaker Rachel Sussman and master of ceremonies Robin Wilhoit, the event supports the future Women’s Suffrage Museum-Events & Cultural Center. WomensSuffrageMuseum.org

13th Annual Knox Asian Festival

Celebrate the vibrant traditions, flavors and artistry of Asia at the 13th Annual Knox Asian Festival at World’s Fair Park and the Knoxville Museum of Art. The VIP event takes place Saturday, Aug. 29, from 6 to 8 p.m., with the festival on Sunday, Aug. 30, from 10:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Enjoy cultural performances, authentic cuisine, music, dance and activities celebrating Asian heritage. Learn more at KnoxAsianFestival.com

World Cup Excitement Draws Crowds to Market Square

ARTICLE AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY LESLIE WYLIE BATEMAN, INSIDE OF KNOXVILLE

Soccer fans packed Market Square on June 19 to cheer on the U.S. Men's National Team as it faced Australia in a FIFA World Cup match. The downtown watch party brought together supporters of all ages, transforming the square into a sea of red, white and blue as fans celebrated—and commiserated— through every moment of the match.

Running of the flag

A tense moment

USA wins!

The crowd celebrates

Happy dancing ensues

Scenes From Knoxville’s Juneteenth Parade & Celebration

ARTICLE AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY

LESLIE WYLIE

Music, marching bands, waving flags and cheering neighbors filled Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue as Knoxville gathered for its annual MLK Jr. Parade/ March and Juneteenth Celebration. Organized by the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Commission, the parade began at Chilhowee Park, traveled along Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue and concluded with a fun, family-friendly festival at Dr. Walter Hardy Park.

1. Beck Cultural Exchange Center

2. Paradegoers were treated to candy and flags

3. University of Tennessee

4. Boys & Girls Clubs of the Tennessee Valley

5. Cheering for Juneteenth

6. Austin-East Roadrunners Cheer Squad

7. Austin-East High School Marching Roadrunners

8. Bringing the beat

Dolly Children’sPartonHospital

A True Story of Friendship: A Surgeon. A Farmer. And A Mule Named Glaze.

It sounds like a good start to a Johnny Cash song.

But it’s really a story about two friends. One, a self-made East Tennessee farmer, owner-operator of a successful cow-calf and hay operation. The other, a Georgia native, pediatric general thoracic surgeon and Chief Surgical Officer. Both are committed to using their God-given talents and specialized skills to help the children and families at Dolly Parton Children’s Hospital.

As Dr. Glaze Vaughan says, “It’s one of those friendships that was meant to be a long time, even before we met.” Pat Watson agrees, “It’s like we had always known each other.”

“I contacted Children’s because I wanted to help families who were going through hard times with a child in the hospital,” Watson says. Once he met with Director of Development Jennifer Lamb, he found meaningful ways to give back.

“People like Pat Watson help exactly when and where they’re needed,” Lamb says, “like generously providing gift cards throughout the year for extended stay families. Or, after donating sides of beef to our Fantasy of Trees Gala silent auction, taking time from running his farm to drive a box truck and helping with follow-up tasks after big events. He calls asking, ‘What can I do next?’”

ARTICLE BY PATRICIA STORM BROYLES | PHOTOGRAPHY BY PAT WATSON AND DOLLY PARTON CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL

Last year, Watson asked Jennifer how he could help with upcoming events, and she mentioned the benefit golf tournament. “I hadn’t played golf for years and didn’t have a team, but I wanted to sponsor one anyway.” Lamb knew the perfect person to pair him with. “The Boot Doctor.”

“I always enjoyed wearing cowboy boots growing up,” Vaughan explains, “and I fit right in when I practiced in Texas. Families don’t always remember my name, but they remember my boots.”

“When Jennifer met me at the golf tournament,” Watson says, “she said, ‘Look for cowboy boots.’ When we met, I asked, ‘Where’re your cowboy boots?’” Vaughan replied, “If Nike made a golf boot, I’d probably wear it.”

“Putting Pat Watson with Dr. Vaughan on a team was a match made in heaven. They’re both successful men in their fields, and both have such caring hearts,” Lamb adds.

While riding in the golf cart, they shared stories about growing up in the South, their work and even discovered they go to the same large church, but had never met there. Shared values explain a lot about the friendship they struck up.

“I grew up on a small farm in Madisonville,” Watson says. “I played four sports, but outside that, I just worked on our farm. My dad believed in hard work …  cutting trees, plowing corn, harnessing horses. But I always had a sayin’ … Put your head down and keep plowin’. We’ve been blessed, but it’s still hard. Through the years, you make investments, work 70 to 80-hour weeks, stress and hope things work out.

It gives you a drive to do better, do more. It builds your work ethic. In the long run, you see the reward in that.”

“I grew up in a rural Georgia town and was a three-sport letterman,” Vaughan says. “Looking back, sports taught me life lessons that put me on the road for what I do today. When coaches pour into their players’ lives, at the time, you think it’s about competing and winning. I didn’t realize that the lessons learned, such as goal-setting, hard work and delayed gratification, were the recipe for future success, leading me to do things I never could have imagined.”

Watson says of his friend, “I feel blessed to know him. Like me, he loves the outdoors and the opportunity to be around animals. He’s a kind-hearted, humble guy with such a great personality. There are only a few surgeons who can do multiple kinds of surgeries on children. The hospital couldn’t have a better person to interact with those families during the hardest times for them.”

CONTINUED >

Pediatric and general thoracic surgery is a very small specialty, with only 1200-1300 practicing surgeons in the country. Vaughan is also Children’s first Chief Surgical Officer. “I never imagined being a pediatric surgeon. I was a late bloomer, starting medical school at 26. Throughout my career, I’ve been blessed to serve in various leadership roles that have prepared me for this new role.”

Vaughan says of his friend, “Pat is extremely humble and, at the same time, extremely successful, but doesn’t necessarily like talking about it. But when I ask questions about his business, he’ll tell me. It’s incredible how he’s grown that farm, but you have to drag it out of him. He has one of the largest independent cow-calf operations in the Southeast,” Vaughan says. “His work ethic is amazing.”

Watson helped his dad plow with a team of horses until they got their first tractor when he was 17. Now, Watson Farms, his cowcalf and hay operation, encompasses 4,000 acres in five counties with several thousand head of cattle. In the past, they supplied hay to venues like Knoxville Zoo, University of Tennessee, hunterjumper facilities and the Kentucky Derby. “In the last 15 years, we’ve grown and been blessed by both the cattle and hay business. I’ve always put my faith in God, and he’s blessed me with things that wouldn’t have ever happened without his hand.”

Which brings the story back to the mule. “Nowadays, my dad buys and breeds horses, donkeys and mules just because we like having them around. We had a baby mule born in the spring that didn’t have a name yet,” Watson explains. “When I told Jennifer about it, she made the connection again. We should name her Glaze.”

For years, it’s been a running joke with Children’s staff that Vaughan couldn’t persuade any moms-to-be to name their baby Glaze. He’d insist that Glaze is a great name.

“Glaze is my mother’s maiden name. It’s definitely unique. I’ve never met anyone who goes by that name so when I introduce myself to others, I do have to add, ‘Glaze, like a donut.’”

But no one grabbed it for their baby until Lamb tagged “Glaze” for Watson’s baby mule. In June, Vaughan made a return visit to his friend’s farm to meet his namesake.

Dolly Parton Children’s Hospital Chief Surgical Officer Glaze Vaughan, M.D.

“I never would’ve dreamed that a small town farmer would get to meet everybody at Children’s and find a new friend like Glaze Vaughan,” Watson says. “There’s no better cause than trying to help Children’s. It’s a great feeling to put your hard work into this great cause.”

“Pat is such a genuine soul and caring person. Busy as he is, something about his character made him decide to invest part of his life with us. It’s a great blessing for Children’s, but also a blessing as a new friend who means a lot to me,” Vaughan adds.

“I developed a life philosophy years ago: Be humble, live simply, love earnestly, care deeply, speak kindly and never cease in attempting to do good . I think Pat and I try to do those things. What resonates with both of us is that, at heart, we’re simple people. That’s why we gravitated toward each other.”

Two friends, a surgeon and a farmer, both with a servant’s heart—and now, a baby mule named Glaze.

DollyChildrens.org.

Compassionate care

Compassionate care

At Dolly Parton Children's Hospital, love and care for your child go hand in hand. From specialty treatments to well-check appointments, our pediatric experts deliver world-class care to every family we serve in East Tennessee and beyond. When your child needs a compassionate team, Dolly Children's is already there. DollyChildrens.org.

Therapy dogs like Owen provide special comfort and smiles to patients.

YOUNG ENTREPRENEURS Are Redefining Success

Age Does Not Define Business Success—Perseverance Does

A new generation of entrepreneurs is proving that ambition isn't measured by age. While many of their peers are just beginning college or entering the workforce, young business owners like Caden Jones of Blount Home Services, and Brandon Rhodes and Chandler Ogden of ProClean Group, LLC, are building businesses that serve their communities while creating opportunities for future entrepreneurs.

Though their companies are different, their stories share a common thread: success wasn't handed to them. It was earned through hard work, resilience and a willingness to take risks.

Caden launched Blount Window Cleaning— now Blount Home Services—while still in high school. What began as a window-cleaning business has grown into a full-service home maintenance company serving Blount and Knox counties.

"We aim to serve our clients in the best way possible," Caden says. "I want to bring back that old family business experience where you know your clients, they know you and there's trust."

After struggling to find a job, Caden created his own opportunity.

"I figured I'd try it, and I really liked it," he says. "I do a good job, treat people with respect, and those are values that matter to me."

Meanwhile, University of Tennessee’s Haslam College of Business juniors Brandon and Chandler turned a frustrating minimum-wage job into the motivation to take over ProClean Group from Chandler’s father. Since late 2024, they've expanded the commercial and residential floor-cleaning company from homes to hotels, businesses and commercial properties.

"We learned a lot from messing up over and over again," Brandon says. "Failure was the best teacher."

Their entrepreneurial mindset has grown beyond cleaning services. While building ProClean Group, they recognized that many young business owners struggle to find affordable customer relationship management software with the tools service businesses actually need. Instead of settling, they decided to build their own.

ARTICLE BY CHELSEA BABIN PHOTOGRAPHY BY AMY CAMPBELL, PROCLEAN GROUP LLC

"We believe what we're building could revolutionize the market," Brandon says.

Although many young business owners worry their age will work against them, professionalism has helped them earn trust.

"Our leadership qualities and the way we present ourselves really set us apart," Brandon says.

For these entrepreneurs, success isn't just about financial gain—it's about creating freedom, serving others and opening doors for the next generation.

"Don't let people tell you that you can't," Caden says. "Stick with it, work hard and don't let other people's doubts bring you down."

Together, these entrepreneurs prove that leadership, innovation and lasting impact aren't defined by age, but by the willingness to build something bigger than yourself.

Their app, KIO (Knock-It-Off), is an all-in-one platform designed to help businesses hire, train and grow door-to-door sales teams. Currently in development, KIO will include features such as Quick Knock, Rep Academy and Team Hub, to make professional business tools affordable and accessible for entrepreneurs just getting started. A demo is expected in the coming weeks, followed by testing before a planned public launch early next year.

What Chickens Know About Retirement

ARTICLE BY ERIC FOSTER, CFP®, CPA

My family has been among the ranks of backyard chicken farmers for about 15 years. We’ve raised batches of baby chicks in our garage under a heat lamp, battled hawks, snakes and other predators, and celebrated when the first egg appeared about nine months later. There is something universally charming about chickens. They are curious, oddly expressive, and, perhaps most importantly, remarkably productive. Spend even a few minutes around a backyard coop, and you will witness one of nature’s simplest yet most consistent miracles: the daily egg.

Hens are creatures of both routine and quiet discipline. Most will lay about one egg every 24 to 26 hours, and they do so without fanfare or financial planning spreadsheets. Interestingly, a hen’s egg color is determined by her breed; some lay brown eggs, others white and a few even produce blue or green eggs. Despite what the grocery store might suggest, color does not change nutritional value. In other words, chickens do not overcomplicate things.

Children are often fascinated by this steady production. Feed the chickens, collect the eggs, repeat. There is a built-in lesson here: small, consistent actions lead to meaningful results over time. It is a lesson that translates surprisingly well into the world of personal finance.

In financial planning, we often refer to savings as a “nest egg,” a fitting metaphor when you consider the

humble hen. Over time, careful saving and investing allow individuals and families to build something of real substance—an accumulation of resources meant to support them later in life. Like a coop full of eggs, it does not happen overnight. It is the result of patience, consistency and discipline.

But this is where humans differ from chickens. While hens are perfectly content to produce and move on, people often struggle with what comes next. After decades of carefully building their nest egg, many retirees find it surprisingly difficult to start using it. There is a persistent fear: What if I run out? What if I take too much too soon? What if there are not enough eggs left for tomorrow?

This hesitation is understandable. The very habits that helped build wealth—saving diligently, avoiding unnecessary spending, planning for the long term— can make it psychologically challenging to reverse course. The result is that some individuals live more cautiously than they need to, leaving experiences, travel and enjoyment on the table.

Chickens, of course, have no such concerns. They are not worried about future egg-supply forecasts or inflation-adjusted laying rates. They simply continue their cycle, trusting the process.

Whether you are collecting eggs from a backyard coop or reviewing a retirement portfolio, the principle is the same: build steadily, protect what you have and understand its purpose. In my experience, that last part is the most difficult. The solution is to build a system that gives objective feedback. A system that helps protect the long-term goal of never running out of resources while also giving you the confidence to use those resources along the way.

At PYA Waltman, we help clients gather their eggs, help them protect their eggs, and most importantly, remind them to enjoy their eggs.

PYA Waltman Capital is an investment adviser registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training. More information about PYA Waltman Capital’s investment advisory services can be found in its Form ADV Part 2 and/or Form CRS, which is available upon request. PYA-26-39

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MUSE KNOXVILLE Grows Forward

KNOXVILLE CHILDREN’S SCIENCE MUSEUM EXPANDS TO GIVE MORE CHILDREN OPPORTUNITIES TO EXPLORE STEAM FIRST-HAND

ARTICLE BY PATRICIA STORM BROYLES | PHOTOGRAPHY BY MALENA PIERCE, MUSE MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER; BARRY SLAIMAN, VOLUNTEER

Muse Knoxville turns 13 in August, and like most newly minted teenagers, it is experiencing the challenges and brand-new possibilities of an incredible next chapter as they age up.

To increase its capacity to serve more age groups, Knoxville’s only children’s science museum is expanding its footprint from 10,000 square feet in its current building to almost 57,000 square feet in a new location. “We want to assure all families that your children are not going to age out of Muse,” explains President and CEO of Muse Knoxville Allison Comer. Thanks to a landmark lease agreement with the City of Knoxville and a $25 million gift from the Clayton Family Foundation, Muse is set to move into and renovate the historic Jacob Building in Chilhowee Park.

“We’re so grateful to our two biggest partners, the City of Knoxville and the Clayton Family, in this unique public-private project,” Comer says. “We’re honored to be able to transform a public asset with private dollars on this lease of the Jacob Building.” Construction is scheduled to begin by February 2027, with ribbon-cutting by the summer of 2028.

MUSE FOR ALL

Veteran elementary visual arts educator in both Knox County and Denver, Colorado school systems, Comer assumed the executive leadership role of Muse during COVID. “It was a privilege to join at a time when Muse was looking at its next stage post-pandemic—how to pivot, stay relevant and meet our community’s changing needs. I’d just been here a few months when we opened back up seven days a week in June 2021 in a new version of Muse … and now five years later, we are planning a big new chapter.”

During her first five years, Comer and her lean staff worked hard to help the play-based museum bounce back for parents seeking fun, hands-on learning STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and math) experiences for their children after so much isolation.

“Our community had a greater interest in Muse, and we pushed into community events as never before to meet families where they were, which raised our brand awareness while also growing our audiences with older age groups. We honor the early childhood core audience that Muse Founder Ellie Kittrell— one of East Tennessee’s amazing experts in early childhood—had cultivated,” she explains.

“We wanted to keep that audience, but we also age up and we’ve been in that growth pattern ever since,” Comer continues. She and her staff envision an informal learning center where, whether you’re 2, 12 or a teen, a parent, a grandparent or a great-grandparent, everyone has a great time. Under the banner “Muse for All,” the staff focuses its energies and resources on creating a place where families can say their kids grew up with Muse. “Instead of a space where families grew out of it, we see a space where families grow with it,” Comer adds.

The visionary team endeavors to dispel the perception that if you experience a museum one time, you don’t need to go back. “So, we have our super durable, hands-on exhibits, as well as modular activities children can build and take apart, and ever-changing programming that will attract families back again with different themes, missions and weekly activities. It’s fun, kids learn and it’s worth parents’ time to pack their kiddos up and bring them because it’s a great experience every time.”

In the past fiscal year, assisted by 2,550 volunteers, Muse empowered nearly 140,000 children and caregivers with the power of play, served 1,843 unique ZIP codes, and for the first time entertained visitors from all 50 states and 12 countries while growing memberships

Muse Student Advisory Board, a group of homeschool, public- and private-school K-5 students

to nearly 2,800 (including 1,385 low-cost Family Access Passes), and providing scholarships to 3,225 students.

With local business, civic and university support, Muse has grown as a play-based destination for East Tennessee children and visitors alike in a building jam-packed with hands-on exhibits that offer learning experiences to ignite curiosity, foster creativity and build skills. (See Sidebar: A Playground for All).

And that’s just at the brick-and-mortar Muse.

MUSE MOVES BEYOND THE WALLS

As a partner of the Science Alliance of Tennessee, made up of six science centers across Tennessee, Muse has had the largest outreach footprint in the state. “We know that because we do statewide programming and impact monitoring together,” Comer explains. One reason for a larger outreach is the building’s size constraints, with only one classroom. “For us to engage with all the schools that want to engage with us, there are only so many field trips we can bring in, so we push into schools across East Tennessee.”

This past school year, traveling Muse visited 192 schools in 31 East Tennessee counties, often with its mobile planetarium, serving 50,000 students, educators and caregivers off-site. “It’s such a value-add for teachers to have informal, play-based STEAM programming brought into the classrooms without worrying about transportation costs and barriers,” she adds. Even after expanding its building footprint, the goal is to keep outreach impact the same. “Letting us come to them, providing lessons they couldn’t have experienced without our hands-on approach, is a great benefit to our East Tennessee communities.”

CONTINUED >

Muse Knoxville offers learning experiences in outdoor play spaces and exhibits

30,000-FOOT VIEW FROM A 4-FOOT

KID

Comer says the staff has become adept at the scientific method to discover new ideas. “We’ve been on this journey of exploration, of trial and error, trying new things we’ve never done before to discover how we can best serve our core and new audiences by listening and implementing their feedback.”

However, she candidly admits that after developing their 202326 strategic plan based upon extensive stakeholder input (staff, board, members, visitors, donors, nonprofits, school partners and civic leaders), they realized they’d left out formal feedback from the most important stakeholder of all—children.

Out of that emerged the Student Advisory Board, a group of homeschool, public- and private-school K-5 students who submit applications for a slot on the board that meets twice during the school year. “Their applications were epic. They drew pictures, submitted videos, wrote essays, anything that communicated their passion for STEAM and Muse. One kiddo who is passionate about outer space had his mom take a video of him in his astronaut suit describing how he felt about space travel, including a virtual tour of his bedroom covered with NASA memorabilia.”

With children, you get pure, unfiltered feedback. “In our first board meeting, we had breakfast, a formal agenda and a SWOT analysis (Strengths/Weaknesses/Opportunities/Threats). I had no idea the incredible feedback these students would offer. Everything from ‘The rocket ship is horizontal, but in real life it’s vertical’ to ‘It’s hard for my grandmother to get out of the car because the parking lot is on an incline’ to ‘You call yourself a science museum, but where is the weather exhibit?’”

The weather exhibit feedback Comer offers as a personal favorite. “That first year, our team took their feedback to implement what we could right away. By February 2025, we cut a ribbon on a new Weather Wonders exhibit. We took the least-engaged area, ripped it out and installed a weather-themed space. Then we brought the students on the board back in to let them see their ideas matter.”

“Like with so many things we’ve done, we try an idea, thinking it will be fun. Then, stunned, we see it unfold, realizing this is going to lead to absolute greatness .” One fifth-grade board member offered to stay on the next year because a K-6 (adding a middle school student) board better reflects the mission to age up.

BLUE-SKY THINKING WITH A DREAM TEAM

“With the incredibly generous, once-in-a-lifetime gift from the Clayton Family as a starting point, the total capital campaign goal is $50 million,” Comer says. “Other public gifts we’re privileged to announce are $1 million gifts from the Bill and Crissy Haslam Foundation and from the Boyd Foundation. We’re also deeply grateful for the state of Tennessee’s nonrecurring $1 million capital allocation from Governor Lee’s last budget in office, and Bank of America’s commitment of $250,000 toward a play-based financial literacy concept. We’re thrilled to have the support of existing Muse donors and scholarship providers like the ASTROrdinary Dobbs Foundation, whose founder, Josh Dobbs, is excited we’ll have an aeronautics and astrophysics exhibit. It’s such an inspirational project for the whole region.”

From the donors to the design, build and project management teams for the renovation to the creative group custom-crafting new exhibits, Comer calls it the assembling of a mission-aligned, too-good-tobe-true Dream Team.

Project managers are Partners Development; Denark Construction is the project’s general contractor; and BarberMcMurry Architects is the architectural firm. “There’s great chemistry with this remarkable group working together on such a fun and unique project,” Comer says. LUCI Creative, the Chicago exhibit design group, is a specialist in children’s museums, science centers and history centers.

“We chose them because they will create every single exhibit 100% custom-fabricated to East Tennessee … interactive and play-based, appealing to young kids and older students, telling STEAM stories specific to East Tennessee. They’ve been here countless times, conducting listening sessions with people in regional industries. There’s not going to be another exhibit like it anywhere else in the world.”

The goal is for people to walk into the new building and be visually overwhelmed with dynamic stories from East Tennessee’s history of innovation, invention and industrial enterprise integrated into the design of every museum exhibit. The mission is to be the play-based STEAM museum destination Knoxville deserves, while also impacting STEAM career trajectories for future scientists, artists, engineers, inventors and innovators.

“At every age, it’s a sweet thing when kids learn their ideas matter, they’re important, they can be problem-solvers, create, invent, discover things.” —Allison Comer.

Comer believes the new Muse Knoxville is “truly a beautiful public-private partnership where we are taking private funds and pouring them into a public asset, acting as careful stewards of this public asset, reinvesting back into the building and serving the community with the structure of the lease allowing us to do so.”

The mother of six- and eight-year-old boys, Comer muses about this field she is devoted to. “We know that play changes kids’ lives, the way they learn and think, form memories and core values. At every age, it’s a sweet thing when kids learn their ideas matter, they’re important, they can be problem-solvers— create, invent, discover things. What does success look like for Muse Knoxville? If we can achieve that for our region’s children, we will know we have succeeded.” Learn more at TheMuseKnoxville.org

MUSE KNOXVILLE: A PLAYGROUND FOR ALL

Allison Comer, President and CEO

Through a variety of hands-on exhibits and outreach programs for children, Muse creates the power of play for all families, with exhibits such as: We Bee Long honeybee exhibit from the City of Knoxville and Knox County Government; Comcast Foundation’s Stellar Playground, where budding astronomers dragand-drop planets on a giant multitouch display; Dremel 3D Printer donated by the University of Tennessee Tickle College of Engineering; Knoxville’s only public-access planetarium;Mini Food City and Healthy Kids’ Clinic; the U.S.S. Muse spaceship; A-Mazing Airways; Sound Garden; Illumination Station; and many more. Open Monday-Sunday. 516 Beaman St. Knoxville, TN 37914.

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5508 Kingston Pike, Suite 110, Knoxville, TN 37919

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225 Greenway Village Lane, Maryville, TN 37801

POWELL

7560 Dannaher Drive, Suite 150, Powell, TN 37849

TELLICO VILLAGE

292 Village Square Drive, Loudon, TN 37774

Source: “September

ARTICLE BY PAUL JAMES AND JACK NEELY | PHOTOGRAPHY BY IMAGES BY ALEC RIEDL KNOXVILLE POSTCARD COLLECTION/KHP, MCCLUNG HISTORICAL COLLECTION, KNOXVILLE HISTORY PROJECT

Horses & Mules: Riders, Stables, Hack Cabs and Mounted Patrols in

Knoxville History

Like any town in America, before the introduction of the automobile, Knoxvillians rode around on horseback. From its earliest days as a territorial capital to the present day, Knoxville has its own stories of special horses and riders that add a little color to the city’s history throughout the decades.

John Sevier, a frontier hero and Tennessee’s first governor, was a notable rider who rode his horse from town to town, often tying up his horse for the night when he was here, in the state capital. We know that he often took his horse across the river on a ferry before riding out to his rural farm south of the river that later became known as Marble Springs.

In the 1850s, African American Richard “Uncle Dick” Payne operated what has been called “Knoxville’s Original Water Works.” For about four decades, Payne used a mule to pull a two-wheeled cart fitted with a large barrel to distribute fresh water to locals who lived in a city that didn’t yet have running water. Payne’s long

career was unusual enough to be featured in Harper’s Weekly.

By the late 1860s, the city operated a stable at City Hall at the northern end of Market Square. Horses and mules kept there also served the fire department. Later, the stable moved a couple of blocks away to State Street, just north of Union Avenue, about where Marble Alley Lofts are today. In 1876, a mounted patrol featured in a special Fourth of July parade along Gay Street.

The State Street stable would be wiped out in the calamitous fire on Gay Street in April 1897 that began inside Hotel Knox on the east side of the 400 block. The deadly

fire destroyed most of the buildings on that block as well as other structures that extended to State Street. Fortunately, the police were able to evacuate the horses from the stable before it caught fire, and it was soon rebuilt. In 1900, fire chief Sam Boyd proudly announced the purchase of two impressive horses named Ned and George (see photo) that would bolster the department’s ability to respond to the sound of fire alarms.

In the early 1900s, as more automobiles appeared on the city’s streets, this new form of transport gradually began to reduce the demand for horses used by the city. Around 1908, the city moved its stables to a new facility on the northwest fringe of downtown on Broadway. It stood for about 20 years before being converted into a jail. For some years, people thought it still smelled like a stable.

The turn of the century also ushered in an era of heightened awareness about the mistreatment of animals, particularly horses employed in the Hackney Carriage trade. Commonly known as “hacks,” these horse-drawn wagons, available for hire at any time of the day or night, were often driven by drivers who cared little for the welfare of their horses. Due to a city ordinance that instructed hack drivers to keep moving and not congregate or cause a nuisance to other traffic, workhorses were often in perpetual motion. The only places they could stop were unsightly hack stands. The Knox County Humane

Society, organized in 1885, brought new awareness to these circumstances, claiming that many working horses were often poorly fed and simply far too old to be pulling carriages all day long.

By 1900, with multiple modes of transport appearing on city streets, just crossing Gay Street could be a hazardous undertaking—you would have to contend with other pedestrians, bicyclists, streetcars, automobiles, and, of course, horse and carts and their waste as well.

In 1916, citing the ever-increasing number of cars, the city began to reduce the number of horses in its stables, particularly those that had been in service for years. Horses remained a regular or occasional sight in downtown Knoxville into the 1930s.

Model Laundry, founded in 1914 not far from the old city stable on State Street, was one business that employed horse and carts to deliver factory uniforms at least into the 1920s. Model’s fleet of horse-drawn wagons

served downtown clients and the suburbs, ultimately adding a new building across the river on Sevier Avenue that still stands today.

But by the late 1940s, when streetcar service ended, the automobile became king. It would have been a rare sight after that to see a horse and cart downtown, unless perhaps in a parade. But a recent development at the Knoxville Police Department is changing that assumption.

After a break of almost 70 years, the City of Knoxville recently brought back its Mounted Patrol Unit, acquiring Percheron horses, two of them named Waggoner and Phyl, from Mounted Patrol International—this special breed of draft horse originates from the Huisne River Valley of western France, formally known as the Perche province. The new Mounted Patrol is seen daily throughout downtown and helps with special events, where they have already become a popular sight and a firm favorite with locals and visitors to Knoxville.

ABOUT KHP

The educational nonprofit Knoxville History Project tells the city’s true stories, focusing on those that have not been previously told and those that connect the city to the world. Donations to support the work of KHP are always welcome and appreciated. Learn more at KnoxvilleHistoryProject.org

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Joshua Dobbs takes in NASA’s Vertical Assembly Building (VAB), and the history towering overhead. The same building that prepared Apollo and Shuttle missions

THE SKY IS NOT

the Limit™

Beyond the Launch: How Artemis II Inspired the Next Generation of Aerospace Leaders

ARTICLE BY CHELSEA BABIN | PHOTOGRAPHY BY ASTRORDINARY DOBBS FOUNDATION INC.

When the Artemis II mission lifted off, it marked far more than another milestone in America's return to deep space exploration. For a group of seven students from the University of Tennessee's Tickle College of Engineering, the launch became an unforgettable lesson in innovation, possibility and the future of aerospace engineering. Thanks to the ASTROrdinary Dobbs Foundation Inc., founded by UTK alumnus, engineer and NFL quarterback Joshua Dobbs, East Tennessee students were given the rare opportunity to witness history firsthand while touring NASA facilities and connecting classroom concepts to real-world space exploration.

For Dobbs, the experience embodied the foundation's mission.

"The Artemis launch represented so much more than a rocket taking off," Dobbs says. "It symbolized the next chapter of human exploration, innovation and possibility. Through the ASTROrdinary Dobbs Foundation Inc., we were able to bring STEM students from East Tennessee to experience that moment up close and see firsthand what the future of space exploration looks like."

The foundation exists to expose students to opportunities that expand their imagination while opening doors to careers in STEM, aviation and aerospace. By partnering with NASA and creating experiences that immerse students in the world of space exploration, the foundation hopes to transform curiosity into lifelong ambition.

"For many of them, it was their first time seeing how classroom lessons in science, math, engineering and technology come to life on such a massive stage."

The Foundation worked closely with NASA Program Manager Gary Willis, who coordinated the visit and schedule with NASA, alongside department leaders and UTK alumnus Scott Colloredo (BS/ME '89), Director of Engineering at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, to make the experience possible.

For recent UTK aerospace engineering graduate Avah Cherry, the experience reinforced exactly why she chose the field.

"The launch was breathtaking," Cherry says. "I've never seen anything like it."

Yet for Cherry, the launch itself was only part of the experience.

"What was just as impactful was the tour of the NASA facilities that we took the following day," she says. "Getting to see both the product, CONTINUED >

NASA’s Cryogenics Lab, the UT

the launch and all the components that made it possible, provided context for what my classmates and I have devoted the last four years to studying. Being able to witness all those pieces coming together was quite inspiring."

That behind-the-scenes access was intentional. Students didn't simply watch a rocket leave the launch pad— they explored the laboratories, facilities and engineering efforts that make human spaceflight possible. From research labs to launch operations, they gained a deeper appreciation for the collaboration required to send astronauts into space.

Wayne T. Davis Dean’s Chair, Chancellor’s Professor, Condra Chair, and dean of the Tickle College of Engineering Dr. Matthew Mench, rearranged his demanding schedule to join the students for the launch. Throughout the trip, he remained fully engaged, participating in every group activity and sharing the experience alongside them. Mench believes opportunities like these leave a lasting impression that often extends far beyond what is taught in a classroom, inspiring students in ways that shape both their education and future careers.

"There were two memorable moments," Mench says. "One was obviously the launch and witnessing it in person. It's one of those things television cannot do justice to. The sound, the brightness and the speed of ascension to space are all really aweinspiring to behold, especially when you consider there are people riding it to space."

THE ASTRORDINARY DOBBS FOUNDATION

The ASTROrdinary Dobbs Foundation Inc., empowers youth through educational, professional and STEM opportunities that inspire the next generation of innovators. Founded by Joshua Dobbs in 2022, the foundation invests in programs that create lasting impact. Help shape tomorrow’s leaders by donating today at ASTROrdinaryDobbsFoundation.org.

But it wasn't only the rocket that stood out.

"The second most memorable time was after a long day of touring NASA facilities," Mench says. "We all got to eat dinner together, and seeing Josh's parents, the students, and everyone together laughing and having an experience we will all remember was a great moment. I felt blessed to be a part of that."

Having previously attended both Space Shuttle launches and other uncrewed missions, Mench described Artemis II as unlike anything he had experienced before.

"This by far was the most powerful launch," he says. "It will forever be one of the great memories in my life."

The trip also showcased UTK’s longstanding connection to America's space program. Throughout the visit, students encountered alumni working throughout NASA, reinforcing the idea that careers once viewed as distant dreams are well within reach.

"We ran into graduates throughout the tours and in talking with NASA leadership," Mench says. "It was great to show the students that what they are learning at the UTK Tickle College of Engineering can translate into exciting careers with tremendous impact on society."

For Mench, one of the most rewarding aspects of the trip was watching Dobbs continue to invest in the next generation of engineers.

"One thing that maybe doesn't get said enough is how inspiring Josh's parents are as well," Mench says. "They raised an amazing person that, despite fame and fortune, is grounded in giving back and inspiring others. Josh has been a great person since the day I met him during his recruiting trip, and he's the same person now. In that environment, he really is all engineer."

Dobbs hopes this experience is only the beginning.

"Our goal is to continue creating opportunities for students to visit NASA, experience future launches, tour facilities, meet professionals in the aerospace industry and gain exposure to careers they may have never imagined for themselves," he says. "We want these experiences to become more than one-time moments. We want them to become a pathway."

Dean Mench also hopes that this is the first of such trips for UTK engineering students.

“It would be wonderful to share this experience with students in the future,” Mench says. “Of course, Artemis III will be commended by UTSI and UTK graduate Randy Bresnik. The tremendous number of astronauts produced in the college and at

UTSI is a great source of pride for us. The ASTROrdinary Dobbs Foundation, Inc. very generously supported this trip, and I hope that something like this could be planned for the future, although it is up to the foundation of course.”

Future opportunities will depend on continued partnerships and community support.

"These trips and experiences require continuous investment from people and organizations who believe in the next generation," Dobbs says. "If we want students to dream bigger, we have to help put them in rooms, hangars, labs and launch sites where those dreams feel real."

Ultimately, while the Artemis II launch represented the future of space exploration, the trip also highlighted something equally important—the future workforce that will help shape it. For students like Cherry, the experience transformed years of classroom learning into something tangible. For UTK, it reaffirmed its role in preparing engineers who continue to contribute to aerospace innovation. And for the ASTROrdinary Dobbs Foundation Inc., it demonstrated that sometimes the most powerful launch isn't the one leaving Earth—it's the one that inspires a student to believe they can help build humanity's future among the stars.

A COLORFUL, MAKE-AHEAD TREAT THAT HELPS KIDS

HEALTHY HABITS AND LIFELONG KITCHEN SKILLS

RAINBOW SNACK CUPS

ARTICLE BY KNOXVILLE CITY LIFESTYLE STAFF | PHOTOGRAPHY BY KNOXVILLE CITY LIFESTYLE

Back-to-school season is the perfect time to stock the refrigerator with simple, healthy snacks for busy days. Whether you're packing lunchboxes, heading to after-school activities or spending time in the car, having nutritious options within reach makes snack time easier. The truth is, all of us can benefit from healthy snacks that are easy to grab, especially on busy days when convenience often wins. Preparing snacks together also creates an opportunity to teach children age-appropriate kitchen skills, from washing produce and learning safe knife techniques to preparing fruits

RAINBOW SNACK CUPS

and vegetables from scratch. These small lessons can build confidence in the kitchen and provide skills children can carry with them for life, helping them make fresh meals at home instead of relying on the drivethrough lane.

One of the easiest make-ahead options is a batch of colorful Rainbow Cups. Spend a little time on Sunday preparing several containers, and you'll have grab-and-go snacks ready throughout the week. Kids can help choose ingredients, wash produce, arrange the layers and create their own colorful combinations.

Rainbow Cups are as fun as they are practical. Simply layer fresh fruits and vegetables in a clear container to create a rainbow of colors that makes healthy eating more inviting.

What you'll need:

• Six to 10 glass or reusable plastic containers with secure lids

• Cutting board

• Kid-safe knife

Ingredients:

• Strawberries

• Orange segments

• Blueberries

• Grapes

• Cucumbers

• Cherry tomatoes

• Carrots

• Celery

• Broccoli florets

• Cauliflower florets

Preparation:

Wash and dry all fruits and vegetables. Remove the stems from the

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strawberries and leave them whole. Cut the carrots, celery and cucumbers into bite-sized pieces. Layer each ingredient in the container, one color at a time, to create a rainbow effect. Seal the containers with lids and refrigerate until ready to enjoy.

For a more satisfying snack, serve Rainbow Cups with cubed cheese, hummus or Greek yogurt for dipping, along with multigrain crackers. These simple additions make the cups perfect for lunch boxes, after-school snacks or afternoons on the go.

Healthy snacks don't have to be complicated. With a little planning, Rainbow Cups can add color, convenience and fresh flavor to the school week while helping children discover the joy of preparing food.

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TREY & KATIE KENNEDY

ON MARRIAGE, KIDS, AND THE COMEDY OF REAL LIFE

Trey Kennedy makes a living finding comedy in regular life. Marriage. Toddlers. Yoga pants. The Thursday-night scramble between school dropoffs, soccer practice, and whatever has to be done by morning. Twelve years in, it shows: millions of followers across every platform, three stand-up specials, a sold-out Relatable Tour, and a style of humor fans send each other captioned, “Are you watching me?” He delivers the kind of comedy that travels because everyone’s living some version of it.

Katie, his wife of six years, is a former biomedical engineer who also built a modeling career. She’s now raising their kids and co-hosting Correct Opinions alongside Trey — the show where the two of them swap takes on marriage, parenting, and whatever came up that week.

Trey has been at this longer than people realize. An Edmond, Oklahoma kid who grew up playing basketball described himself as a “shy kid who never thought he’d be an entertainer.” He started making videos while attending Oklahoma State University. After building millions of followers on Vine before the platform shut down, he gave himself six months on Instagram and Facebook to see whether he could rebuild from zero. He did. Stand-up soon followed. His first special, Are You For Real?, streams on YouTube; the second, Grow Up, on Amazon Prime; the third, built around the Relatable Tour, wrapped earlier this year. “I’ve been trying to be funny every week for like twelve years now,” he says. A slow climb, made one bit at a time.

ARTICLE BY KALI KASPRZYK PHOTOGRAPHY BY JANIE JONES

“I’ve been trying to be funny every week for like twelve years now.”

Most of what Trey writes lately starts in his own kitchen. Thomas is three and a half, and he is, in his father’s words, “a movie.” He narrates his own life from the moment his eyes open and mispronounces words in ways his parents now repeat to each other because no one else would believe them. His younger sister, Eva, is what Katie calls “the calm one.” With a third now in the mix, the Kennedys are officially outnumbered.

After six years of marriage, Trey and Katie have learned that the partnership runs best when it gets its own time on the calendar. So once a week, they leave the kids with a sitter and go out for coffee. “You need a system,” Katie says. “It’s about taking time to look each other in the eye. Not the kids. Not the cameras. Just each other.”

The same instinct shapes the work. Most of Trey’s trial and error happens onstage or on Instagram, but the first read is always Katie’s. “There’s only been one time ever I’ve had to be like, ‘you’re not doing that,’” she says. The rest of the time, she just laughs first.

FEATURING TREY & KATIE KENNEDY

Trey and Katie talk about marriage, parenting, and the moments that don’t make the Instagram feed.

Watch or listen to the full conversation wherever you get your podcasts.

Annual Checkup:

Business Edition Part 1 -

Your Operating Agreement

Is Your Business's Prenup

Article by Mital D. Patel

PATEL & EISENHOWER, PLLC

Nobody walks down the aisle planning for divorce. But every good marriage counselor will tell you the couples who talk about money, expectations, and worst-case scenarios before the wedding are the ones who make it to year twenty five, together or apart, without burning the house down. Business partnerships work the same way, and an LLC Operating Agreement, or a corporation's Bylaws, is the prenup nobody wants to write and everybody needs.

Here's what happens without one. Two friends start a company on a handshake. Year three, one wants to sell and the other wants to grow. Year five, one partner dies, and their spouse, who has never set foot in the o ce, suddenly owns half the business. Without a wri en agreement, Tennessee's default statutes decide what happens next, and default rules are rarely what either founder would have chosen on day one.

A well dra ed operating agreement or set of bylaws is not a sign you distrust your business partner. It is a sign you respect the business enough to protect it from the three things that end most partnerships: death, disagreement, and departure. It answers the questions nobody wants to ask out loud, like what happens if one of us wants out, or what this company is actually worth if we have to buy someone out, while everyone is still ge ing along and thinking clearly.

is is exactly why an annual well check ma ers just as much for your business as it does for you. Tennessee law changes, your business grows, and the agreement you signed five years ago may no longer reflect who you are today. Reviewing it once a year catches the gaps before a crisis forces you to find them.

ink of your operating agreement or bylaws as insurance for the relationship, not just the assets. Dra it like you expect to stay married. Structure it like you are prepared not to.

ere is an old saying that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, and few places prove that truer than the documents that govern your business. It might seem cheaper, or at least easier, to pull a template from a generic website, borrow language from an agreement a friend once used in their own business, or let an AI program dra something that reads close enough. But a document that looks right on the page and a document that actually holds up the day a dispute lands in front of a judge are not the same thing. ere is no substitute for an a orney who does not just dra these agreements but has also stood in a courtroom litigating over one that was dra ed poorly. at experience is what builds the foresight to see a dispute coming before it happens, and the judgment to choose the language built to survive it.

DOG gone GOOD

Try these simple and healthy homemade treats for your furry friends. Not only are they easy to make, they are nutritious and seemingly delicious.

ARTICLE BY ANGELA BROOCKERD | PHOTOGRAPHY BY JANIE JONES

No-Bake Peanut Butter Balls

Ingredients:

• 1 cup pumpkin puree

• 1/4 to 1/3 cup peanut butter

• 1/4 cup milk or half and half

• 3 cups oatmeal

Directions:

In a bowl, mix pumpkin puree, peanut butter and milk on medium for 1 minute. Gradually add 2 1/2 cups oatmeal and stir. Use a small scoop or spoon to create 1/4 inch balls. Roll balls into remaining 1/2 cup oats to lightly top. Place into a closed container and refrigerate.

Peanut Butter Dog Treats

Ingredients:

• 2/3 cup pumpkin puree

• 1/4 to 1/3 cup peanut butter

• 2 eggs

• 2 1/2 cups flour (whole wheat preferred)

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line baking sheet with parchment paper. In a bowl, mix all ingredients except flour and blend well. Gradually add the flour until the dough isn’t sticky. Roll dough into a ball. Lightly flour your surface and lightly knead. Use a rolling pin to roll dough to ¼-inch thickness. Use cookie cutters and place dough on baking sheet. Bake for 20-25 minutes. Drizzle with peanut butter (optional).

Family Photography Prep

SIMPLE TIPS TO HELP YOUR FAMILY FEEL RELAXED AND PREPARED

ARTICLE BY CHELSEA BABIN | PHOTOGRAPHY BY CHELSEA BABIN PHOTOGRAPHY

Family photos are about so much more than smiling at the camera—they're about preserving the little moments you'll want to remember for years to come. A little preparation before your session can help everyone feel relaxed and make the experience more enjoyable. Start by choosing outfits that coordinate instead of matching exactly. Soft, neutral colors and subtle patterns photograph beautifully, while comfortable clothing helps everyone, especially little ones, feel at ease. Be sure everyone's clothes are clean, wrinkle-free and ready the night before.

If you have young children, pack a few favorite snacks, water and a comfort item, if needed. Avoid scheduling your session during nap time and give everyone plenty of time to get ready without feeling rushed.

Most importantly, don't stress about getting the "perfect" photo. Some of the most meaningful images come from genuine laughter, hugs and playful moments. Let your family interact naturally while I guide you every step of the way.

Come ready to have fun, embrace the unexpected and simply enjoy time together. Those authentic connections are what create timeless photographs that tell your family's unique story.

PHOTOGRAPHER

Chelsea Babin is the owner and creative force behind Chelsea Babin Photography, an East Tennessee-based photographer known for her timeless, emotion-driven imagery. Photographing since 2014, she blends a documentary approach with an editorial eye to preserve authentic moments with artistry and intention. From intimate family milestones to unforgettable wedding celebrations, her work celebrates genuine connection while creating photographs designed to be treasured for generations. ChelseaBabinPhotography.com

AUGUST 4TH & Juliet

Tennessee Theatre | 7:30 PM

Broadway’s hit musical "& Juliet" flips the script on Romeo and Juliet, giving her a second chance on her own terms. Created by a "Schitt's Creek" writer, it features iconic pop anthems. Shows Aug. 4-9. Tickets: TennesseeTheatre.com

AUGUST 5TH

An Evening With Patty Griffin

Bijou Theatre | 7:30 PM

Two-time Grammy winner Patty Griffin's rich folk, Americana and blues catalog spans over two decades. Her new album, "Crown of Roses," explores identity and womanhood through sparse, emotionally rich songwriting. Tickets: KnoxBijou.org

AUGUST 8TH

August 8th Emancipation Day Tours: And Then I Became Free

Mabry-Hazen House and Bethel Cemetery | 11:00 AM

The free tour "...And Then I Became Free" at Mabry-Hazen House explores how enslaved people fought for personal liberty and broke down American chattel slavery through methods ranging from self-liberation to the 13th Amendment. MabryHazen.com.

AUGUST 8TH

Lemon Drop Festival

World’s Fair Park | 2:00 PM

The Lemon Drop Festival is a high-energy daytime celebration featuring great drinks, music and vibrant crowds. Designed for socializing and sipping, this traveling event brings a perfect mix of flavor and fun to every city. LemonDropFestival.com.

AUGUST 8TH

Irish Fest on the Hill

Immaculate Conception Church | 4:00 PM

Immaculate Conception Parish will host the 16th annual Irish Fest on the Hill, celebrating Knoxville's Irish heritage. The festival features traditional food, Gaelic games, church tours and live music across two stages. DIOKnox.org

AUGUST 13TH

Blount Mansion’s Centennial Anniversary Lecture Series

Blount Mansion | 6:00 PM

Blount Mansion hosts local author and guide Laura Still for its Centennial Anniversary Lecture Series at 6 p.m. Still will highlight the women who banded together a century ago to save the historic home. BlountMansion.org

AUGUST 14TH

Just Dance Glow-in-the-Dark Dance Party

Farragut Community Center | 4:00 PM

Join this glow-in-the-dark dance party featuring music and videos from the popular game Just Dance! The event includes black lights, glow sticks, glow-in-the-dark face paint and light refreshments. TownOfFarragut.RecDesk.com.

AUGUST 15TH

East Tennessee History Fair

East Tennessee History Center | 9:00 AM

Celebrate America’s semiquincentennial at the East Tennessee History Fair in downtown Knoxville. This free, daylong event features living-history demonstrations, live music, crafts, children’s activities and film screenings at the East Tennessee History Center. EastTNHistory.org.

AUGUST 15TH

Hummingbird Festival

Ijams Nature Center | 7:00 AM

The Ijams Hummingbird Festival returns Saturday, Aug. 15, from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. This nature event features hands-on conservation experiences, family activities and a live research banding station with expert bird banders. Ijams.org.

AUGUST 22ND

GermanFest Knoxville

First Lutheran Church | 11:00 AM

Guests can enjoy local craft beer, traditional German food, polka music, church tours and a marketplace. The event also features a German car show, children’s activities and a UT studio organ concert. GermanFestKnoxville.com

SEPTEMBER 3RD

Knoxville Symphony at the Garden

Knoxville Botanical Gardens and Arboretum | 5:00 PM

The Knoxville Symphony Orchestra partners with the Garden for a free musical evening. Guests will discover music across four garden spaces, culminating in a twilight performance in the Rita Johnson Garden outside the Dogwood Center. KnoxGarden.org

SEPTEMBER 6TH

Annual Big Kahuna Wings Festival

World's Fair Park | 3:00 PM

The Big Kahuna Labor Day Festival is one of the Southeast's premier culinary events, featuring thousands of pounds of wings, global flavors, cooking competitions, live entertainment, family activities and a spectacular pyromusical fireworks show. Tickets and info: BKWFestival.com Want

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