10 About Town: August 16- August 19
From barrel racing to living history, 10 About Town is your guide to everything happening in East Tennessee this weekend.
Thursday, August 16
Flying Anvil Theatre presents their newest show, 8x10. The production is made up of eight short plays and runs from July 25-August 19. Tickets start at $22.
The Foothills Community Players are performing their summer musical, “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown.” The show runs from August 10 – August 19. For show times and ticket prices visit foothillscommunityplayers.com.
The Smoky Mountain Classic Thunderbird Club is hosting a convention at the Knoxville Convention Center all weekend. There will be events and scenic drives scheduled throughout the weekend.
The Blount County Public Library is hosting its Hot Summer Nights Concert series all month long with concerts on Thursdays at 7 p.m. in the Main Gallery.
Friday, August 17
Visit Windrock Park In Oliver Springs for a weekend of off-road racing. The Pro Rock Race 2 Riches event is Friday and Saturday.
Spend an evening browsing through stores and local vendors in Historic Downtown Clinton. Market Night is Friday from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. along Market Street. Stores will stay open late, and there will be live music.
Take a sunset stroll through Ijams Nature Center during Nature at Night. This event costs $8 per person and lasts from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Friday.
Lenoir City Park is showing Ferdinand (PG) on Friday during the Movies in the Park Series. The show begins when the sun goes down, and it’s free for the whole family.
Head to the Village Green Shopping Center in Farragut on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday for Dog Daze II. The three-day event features a Dockdogs competition and local puppies can try their paws at diving on Friday from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
The Knoxville Children’s Theatre is performing Mark Twain’s Tom Sawyer August 15 – September 2. The play is performed by 19 talented young actors, from ages 10 to 15.
Actors and actresses at the Oak Ridge Playhouse are performing the thriller, Deathtrap, August 17 – August 26. For tickets and show times, visit orplayhouse.com.
Saturday, August 18
ORNL Federal Credit Union is hosting a series of free summer concerts called the Summer Sessions. This week’s show is on Saturday at 6 p.m. at Oak Ridge’s Bissell Park. Don’t forget to bring a lawn chair or picnic blanket.
Enjoy live music and local beer and wine tastings while strolling around glowing hot air balloons at the Great Smoky Mountains Hot Air Balloon Festival on Saturday. The event starts at 3 p.m. at the Townsend Visitor Center. Tickets are $25.
Saturday is the 3rd annual Drums on the Dam Dragon Boat Race at Douglas Dam. The event raises money for United Way of Sevier County.
Knoxville’s first downtown riverfront music festival is Saturday. It’s called Second Bell and lasts from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. at Suttree Landing Park in South Knoxville. Tickets are $30.
Have a blast with the past at the East Tennessee History Fair on Saturday. Vendors and reenactors will give history fans an interactive look at the many chapters in the state’s history. The event is free and lasts from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Cherokee Caverns presents its Movie in the Cave on Saturday. Batman will be playing at 11 a.m., 1:30 p.m., 4 p.m., 6:30 p.m., and 9 p.m. inside the cool 58-degree cave.
Spend an evening paddling along the Tennessee River while learning about nature at Ijams Nature Center’s paddling adventure. The program is $15 and lasts from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Race through Gatlinburg while getting blasted with color at the Reach Out 5K Color Run on Saturday at 9 a.m. Registration costs $30.
Join Ijams’ Naturalist Stephen Lyn Bales for a hike to one of the most breathtaking views in Knoxville. Saturday’s history hike begins at 10 am at High Ground Park and includes a walk to the River Bluff. The fee for this program is $6.
Grab your blankets and lawn chairs for the Movies Under the Stars series at Ijams Nature Center. On Saturday, they’re playing the 1980’s cult classic, The Dark Crystal when the sunsets. Tickets cost $8.
PAW Patrol Live is coming to the Knoxville Civic Auditorium for two days. In the Great Pirate Adventure, the PAW Patrol goes on the hunt for hidden treasure. Shows are Saturday at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets range from $22 to $127.
The Hard Knox Roller Girls roller derby team is competing on Saturday at the Knoxville Convention center at 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. Tickets range from $10 to $15.
Take a dip in the Oak Ridge Municipal pool and watch the movie “Wonder” during the city’s last movie night of the summer on Saturday. Gates open at 8:30 p.m. and the movie stars at sunset. The event raises money for teachers in Oak Ridge Schools.
Kids can get a chance to see, touch, and climb on big trucks and equipment during Farragut’s Fun with the Fleet event on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Mayor Bob Leonard Park.
The RK Gun Show is Saturday and Sunday at the Knoxville Expo Center. Tickets range from $5 to $14.50.
The Burlington Branch Library is showing the movie, Ready Play One, on Saturday at 2 p.m. Popcorn and drinks are provided.
Observe the stars above during a night of public stargazing on Saturday at the Tamke-Allan Observatory in Harriman, TN. Gates open at 7 p.m. The observatory hosts stargazing nights every first and third Saturday of the month.
Check out barrel racing at the Roane County Expo Center on Saturday from noon to 10 p.m. Children 12 and under can watch the competition for free and adult tickets cost $5.
Help clean up Fountain City. The Knoxville Teachers Federal Credit Union is hosting a volunteer cleanup along Broadway on Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon. Volunteers will meet at 108 Hillcrest Drive.
Listen to live Americana music in the shadow of House Mountain at Saturday’s House Mountain Hoedown in Corryton. Four bands will perform and there will be food and craft vendors at Washington Presbyterian Church Park. The festival is from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tickets are $10.
Slimfest is a free outdoor concert in Alcoa, Tennessee. The concert, featuring Smooth Groove, begins at 6 p.m. on Saturday in the New Midland Plaza Amphitheater.
WBIR’s Beth Haynes is the emcee for Saturday’s Havana Nights party and auction that benefits the Sertoma Center of Knoxville. The event begins at 6:30 p.m. at the Mill & Mine.
Sunday, August 19
Take the family to World’s Fair Park on Sunday from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. for Family Fest. The free event, which includes inflatables, music, and free food, is presented by Pathways Church.
The University of Tennessee’s soccer team hosts George Mason on Sunday at 7 p.m. SEC Network+ will broadcast the game.
Impact Wrestling and Next Generation Wrestling present “The Uncivil War” on Sunday at 4 p.m. Tickets range from $10 to $30.
Bring your pooch to the pool on Sunday during The Oak Ridge Municipal Pool’s annual puppy pool party. It costs $3 per dog, and owners must bring a donation of dog food and proof of current vaccinations. The pool party lasts from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
The Tennessee Smokies baseball team begins a five-game series against the Jackson Generals on Sunday. The game starts at 5:30 p.m.