Knoxville Weekend At A Glance - August 26-28, 2011

The World's Fair Park is one of Knoxville's favorite entertainment venues. Image by John Disque

Adventure:

Forks of the River Expedition
Join naturalist Stephen Lyn Bales and guest naturalist Rikki Hall for a spider and insect hunt in the meadows at Forks of the River WMA. Forget Peter Parker, Rikki Hall is the real spider-man! Good for all ages.
Saturday, August 27 (Meet at Ijams Nature Center at 3 p.m. $5 for non-members. Call 577-4717, ext. 110 to register.)

Bike and Canoe Rentals
Rent a bike or canoe at Ijams Nature Center. Check in at the Visitor's Center.

Sunday Brunch Cruise Aboard Volunteer Princess Cruises
Depart from Volunteer Landing Marina and travel west downstream the Tennessee River through the bridges of Knoxville. Some of the sights you will see include Neyland Stadium, Thompson Boling Arena, and the Sunsphere. The cruise continues down river past the legendary "Body Farm" and into one of most beautiful areas of Knoxville, Sequoyah Hills. Sequoyah Hills is home to some of the most wealthy families in Knoxville, and their homes along the river prove it. From there continue down river by the new UT golf course and to Looney Island then head back up river to port. www.volunteerprincess.com

Evening River Sightseeing
Star Landing, 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday
Board TRACE 1 for evening sightseeing cruises. Park in the very upper end of Ruth's Chris parking lot (public parking area, above the bridge) and walk to the dock.

5th Annual Paddle for Clean Water
Sequoyah Park, 1400 Cherokee Blvd. - Saturday, Aug 27
Join the Fort Loudoun Lake Association for the 5th Annual Paddle for Clean Water, a leisurely 5-mile paddle through downtown Knoxville from Ned McWherter Park to Sequoyah Park. Paddlers of all skill levels are welcome to this celebration of clean water, even if you don't have your own canoe or kayak - even if you've never been in one! For more information, visit www.fllake.org or call the FLLA office at 865-523-3800.


Museums:

Korean Artist Kwang-Young Chun Exhibition
Knoxville Museum of Art - daily
Korean artist Kwang-Young Chun (b. 1944) began work on his series of Aggregations in the 1990s. Today, he is recognized internationally for these sculptural forms. The basis of his work is individual, triangular, Styrofoam shapes. Individually, these shapes are minuscule. Taken together, however, their visual impact is immense. This concept of the aggregate is what drives Chun's work.

Tennessee Turned: Earthenware and Stoneware Made in East Tennessee 1800-1900
East Tennessee History Center, 601 St. Gay Street
This is a major exhibition of nineteenth-century pots made in East Tennessee.

Touch a Truck Knoxville Zoo - Saturday, Aug 27
Get up close to some powerfully big machinery that will be on display throughout the zoo, including the Knoxville Zoo "Zookeeper" truck from Claiborne Hauling, a fire engine from the Knoxville Fire Department, emergency response vehicles from Knoxville Police Department, Rural Metro and The American Red Cross, a military vehicle from the Tennessee National Guard, a camping RV from Tennessee RV and heavy equipment made to move mountains of dirt from Landmark International Trucks and Stowers Machinery.


Entertainment:

2nd Annual Rocky Top Comedy Contest Round 1
Preservation Pub, 28 Market Square
This is the first Prelim Round of 4 for the Rocky Top Comedy Contest held in Downtown Knoxville. The Rocky Top Comedy Contest is a stand-up comedy contest in its second year. Last year nearly 1000 people attended the event.

Mechanicsville Homecoming Danny Mayfield Park - Saturday, Aug 27
6th annual homecoming event in Danny Mayfield. There will be choirs, vendors, open mic talent, music, food and more.

Sunday Brunch
Copper Cellar Cumberland
Every Sunday from 10:30 AM until 2 PM Sunday Brunch

Sunday Brunch Buffet
Copper Cellar West
Every Sunday from 10 AM until 2 PM All you can eat Sunday Brunch Buffet


Sports:

Tennessee Smokies vs. Jacksonville Suns
Enjoy a baseball game at Smokies Park August 26, 27, and 28th.
Please visit smokiesbaseball.com for more info and tickets

The Man Run UT Medical Center - Saturday, Aug 27
A 5k run/walk with a 1 mile fun run for prostate cancer awareness.


Shopping:

Dixie Lee Farmers Market
12740 Kingston Pike - Saturdays
Fresh, locally grown produce and other fresh local goods! All offered from Tennessee farmers and artisans, including peaches, berries, grapes, melons, apples, tomatoes, peppers, beans, corn, greens, carrots, potatoes, onions, garlic, peas, squash, zucchini, free range eggs, grass fed meats, honey, potted plants, fresh cut flowers, herbs, cheese, baked goods, pottery, soaps, candles, jewelry and other homemade crafts!


Religious:

Worship in the City
August 26-27 at World's Fair Park, 9 am - 11 pm
This annual outdoor celebration festival will feature two stages featuring many popular Christian artists. The World's Fair amphitheater will host the "Festival of Choirs" a gathering of local area church choirs which will set the tone for an amazing local worship experience. Exciting entertainment, exhibits, Christian art walk, and children's pavilion will all be included for a fun, family oriented, Spirit filled two day celebration.

Published August 26, 2011