FRIDAY JUNE 8
USRowing and Oak Ridge Rowing Association are proud to host the 2012 USRowing Youth National Championships throughout the weekend on Melton Hill Lake in Oak Ridge. The USRowing Youth National Championships features more than 1,500 athletes from high school and junior rowing programs across the country competing for national titles in 18 boat classes. Visit www.usrowing.org for more information.
Twangtown Paramours with Some Velvet Evening will perform on the WDVX Blue Plate Special. The free broadcast begins at noon at the Knoxville Visitor Center.
Market Square in downtown Knoxville will host "Knoxville's Largest Kids' Party". Fun activities for children will include giant gymnastics obstacle courses, hip hop classes, bounce houses, magic show, DJ and karaoke, Knoxville Zoo, Krispy Kreme, Chick-fil-a, pony rides, train rides, and more. The event runs from 3 pm to 8 pm.
Jenna & Her Cool Friends will perform at the The Shed at Smoky Mountain Harley-Davidson. Showtime is set for 6 pm. This show is part of the Free Concert Fridays sponsored by The Maryville Daily Times and Pabst Blue Ribbon.
The Tennessee Smokies return to Kodak for a weekend homestand against the Mississippi Braves. It's another "Fireworks Friday" after the game. Don't be surprised if you hear some Backstreet Boys or Will Smith playing throughout the park as the 90's have returned to Smokies Park. First pitch is scheduled for 7:15.
Patrick Garrity will be performing at Side Splitters Comedy Club in west Knoxville. Tickets are available for both the 7:45 and 10:15 pm show. You can purchase tickets for $12 at the door.
"House of the Rising Funk" will perform at Preservation Pub. There will be a $3 cover for the 10 pm show.
SATURDAY JUNE 9
The American Diabetes Association will once again be hosting the Tour de Cure Knoxville. For the first time riders: there will be a 12-18 mile family fun ride. For the leisurely cyclist: a comfortable 25-31 mile ride starting and looping around back to the Start Finish Line. For the more adventurous riders, choose 62 or 100 mile courses traveling along the beautiful country roads of East Tennessee. When you cross the finish line, recharge with a lunch or dinner, a health & wellness village, massage therapy, music, and entertainment. Visit www.diabetes.org. Things get going at about 6 am at World's Fair Park.
Join Ijams' senior naturalists, Peg Beute and Stephen Lyn Bales for a morning of "Breakfast and Birding". They'll use spotting scopes and binoculars to view an active osprey nest as the parents begin to teach their offspring to hunt. Afterwards, they'll practice their own feeding strategies with a riverside breakfast. The fee for this program is $15 for Ijams members and $20 for non-members. Call (865) 577-471,7 to register.
The annual Knoxville Hamfest is an event for amateur Radio operators, Hams, and features equipment dealers and displays and a tail gate section for individuals to sell ham radio equipment. The Hamfest will take place at the Kerbela Temple in South Knoxville from 8:30 to 4 pm. Check the website at www.w4bbb.org for additional information.
The Camaro Summer Shine Reunion Car Show at Reeder Chevrolet. This year's show coincides with the 45th anniversary of the Chevrolet Camaro. Registration is from 8:30 am to 12 pm. Show time is from 9 to 3 pm. The East Tennessee Camaro Club is a non-profit organization and all proceeds from the show will be donated to Buddy's "Race Against Cancer".
The Market Square Farmers' Market opens at 9 am. Grab some cash and bring some friends down to support your local farmers and artisans.
Stanley's Greenhouse will hold an educational seminar about fall planting at 10:30 am. Nancy Schneider, Stanley's Tree and Shrub Lot Manager, is now growing shrubs and trees, including many new introductions, that will be available this fall. These new additions are takes on old favorites, Azalea, Weigela, Barberry, and some you may not have thought of for this area. Seminar attendees will get a preview tour of their growing houses, and the chance to reserve these special shrubs before they are available this fall.
Evie Ladin with Eric and Suzy Thompson will perform on the Saturday edition of the WDVX Blue Plate Special. You can be entertained at the Knoxville Visitor Center for free at noon.
The Second Saturday Concerts at The Cove will continue this year with a wide variety of entertainment for the entire family. The free concerts take place from 6 to 8 pm, at The Cove in Concord Park (11808 Northshore Drive). The Atomic Horns will be the musical act this week.
"Bark in the Park after Dark" will return to Market Square in downtown Knoxville from 6 to 9 pm. All dogs are welcome, but there is a $10 donation fee to participate in all of the planned games and contests. After the 18th Annual Bark in the Park you can join the "Light Up the Darkness Memorial Walk". Walk in memory of a lost pet or person from Market Square to State Street Garage. The $25 registration fee includes a t-shirt, glow bracelet, and a customizable racing bib.Visit www.humanesocietytennessee.com for more information.
The Tennessee Smokies continue to battle the Mississippi Braves. Make sure you are at the park early so that you can receive a free hat and watch the Smokies battle the Braves. First pitch is scheduled for 6:15.
The Women's Basketball Hall of Fame 2012 Induction Ceremony will be held at 7 pm, at the Bijou Theatre. The six members of the Class of 2012 are Nancy Fahey, Nikki McCray, Pamela McGee, Inge Nissen, Robin Roberts, and Dawn Staley. The Induction Ceremony will be hosted by ESPN women's Basketball Analyst and Hall of Fame Board Member Debbie Antonelli. Tickets to the event are $100. Visit www.wbhof.com for more information.
The Knoxville Nighthawks host their final home-game of the season at the Knoxville Civic Coliseum. Tickets range from $10 to $45, and can be purchased at the box office or by calling (865) 656-4444. Game time is set for 7 pm.
Goose Creek Symphony with special guest Karen E. Reynolds & SacntiFried will perform at The Shed at Smoky Mountain Harley-Davidson. Admission is $20 to the 8 pm show.
SUNDAY JUNE 10
The silent movie golden era of the 1920s will return to the big screen at the Tennessee Theatre. The F.W. Murnau directed silent film "Sunrise" starring George O'Brien, Janet Gaynor, and Margaret Livingston will be shown with Wurlitzer organ accompaniment. Show time begins at 3 pm. Adult tickets are $8, children get in for $6.
The Tennessee Smokies will battle the Mississippi Braves at 5 pm. For only $48, a family of four can get game tickets, a meal, and two Kids Zone wristbands. Stick around after the game as the band Key West will be performing.