10 About Town: June 7 - June 10
Your "things-to-do" guide for weekend events in East Tennessee.
Thursday, June 7
The city’s Concerts on the Square series continues with live jazz on Tuesdays at 8 p.m. and variety music on Thursdays at 7 p.m. The weekly concerts are free and continue through Aug. 28. Ensemble Swing Time performs this Thursday.
Several yard sales will be lined up along US 25 from Clinton, Tennessee to Richwood, Kentucky Thursday through Saturday. You never know what you’ll find. For updates and vendor lists, visit the U.S. 25 Yard Sale Facebook page.
Blount County Friends of the Library is hosting its annual book sale. There will be more than 50,000 used books for sale at $1 for soft cover and $2 for hardcover. On Thursday, the sale is only open to members. Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., the public can shop in the library lower level.
Smoky Mountain Crawl returns to Townsend this weekend, and hundreds of smaller-sized motorcycles are expected to be in attendance. There will be a Poker Run on Saturday followed by a bonfire.
Friday, June 8
The Flying Anvil Theatre presents “The Legend of Georgia McBride,” playing June 1-24. This outrageous production is about a failing Elvis impersonator who reluctantly agrees to become a drag performer, only to find out, he’s good at it. Tickets are $10.
The Fountain City Lions Club is hosting its second concert in its free summer concert series on Friday at 6 p.m. The Tennessee Sons Country band will perform rain or shine.
The Sounds of Summer Concert series was rescheduled for Friday at 6:30 p.m. at the lawn at Turkey Creek due to rain last week. There will be food trucks, activities, drinks, and performances by Adeem the Artist and Guy Marshall. The concert is free, and you’re encouraged to bring your lawn chairs. Additional shows are July 6 and August 3.
Take a twilight tour of the forest at Ijams Nature Center during a Sunset Stroll on Friday from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. This relaxing walk is on paved paths perfect for strollers or wheelchairs. The cost is $8.
In Morristown, there will be a free showing of Disney’s Moana at Fred Miller Park on Friday when the sun goes down. Bring your own blanket and chairs to sit on.
Experience two days of music, food, history and science at the Secret City Festival in Oak Ridge. The fun kicks off on Friday at 11 a.m. with events and concerts going on until Saturday night. For a complete list of activities visit: https://www.secretcityfestival.com/
Theatre Knoxville Downtown is performing “Sordid Lives” June 1-17. The comedy is about a colorful family from a small Texas Town coming to grips with the accidental death of the elderly family matriarch. Tickets are $15.
Friday is opening night of “Into the Woods" at the Carousel Theatre on the campus of the University of Tennessee. The Tennessee Valley Players will perform the storybook-themed play June 8-June 24. Tickets range from $10 to $20.
The Tennessee Smokies baseball team hosts the Birmingham Barons for several home games this weekend. For tickets and times visit www.milb.com. Sunday is family fun day, and there are fireworks after the game on Friday and Saturday.
The Concert on the Commons outdoor music series returns for another year. The weekly event begins every Friday through July 27 at 7 p.m. at the Norris Commons in Anderson County. Bring a lawn chair or blanket to sit on.
Knoxville Children’s Theatre is performing “Tales of a 4th-Grade Nothing” June 8 – June 24. The play, that is based on Judy Blume’s comedic book, is performed by 17 talented young actors.
Saturday, June 9
Kids can fish for free on Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon at The Cove at Concord Park during the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency’s Free Fishing Day. TWRA will provide rods, bait, tackle, and prizes. You don’t need a license to fish for the event.
Gatlinburg is also celebrating Tennessee Free Fishing Day with its Children’s Trout Rodeo on Saturday at Herbert Holt Park. Registration begins at 7:30 a.m. with weigh-in at 10:30 a.m.
The Clinch River Chapter of Trout Unlimited is also participating in Free Fishing Day by inviting children to the Miller Island Boat ramp on River Road, just off Highway 441 in Norris. There will be hot dogs, door prizes and of course fishing from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday.
Crossfit athletes from around the region will gather at World’s Fair Park on Saturday for the Big Orange Brawl competition. For details on event competition, visit: http://bigorangebrawl.com/event-details/
You can give back to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park through the “Smokies Service Days” volunteer program that resumes this month. Park staff will lead service opportunities on Saturdays beginning this weekend. This weekend you can help clean up the campground at Elkmont.
The Suffrage Coalition is unveiling a new Women’s Suffrage statue in Market Square this weekend. There will be a reception on Friday at 6 p.m. at the History Center. You can RSVP at Suffragecoalition.org. On Saturday at 3 p.m., the group will gather at the City-County Building on Main Street for a parade and unveiling in Market Square.
Pull up to the bar and grab a cold one, as Knoxville Craft Beer Week kicks off on Saturday. Participating breweries will have specials and events throughout the week. On Sunday, 14 different breweries will all be releasing new beers at the same time. For more information visit, http://www.knoxvillebrewers.com/events/knoxbeerweek/
Cherokee Caverns is showing Black Panther inside the cave on Saturday. The movie will be playing at 11 a.m., 1:30 p.m., 4:30 p.m., 7:15 p.m., and 9:45 p.m. inside the cool 58-degree cave. For tickets visit https://cherokeecaverns.com/movies-in-the-cave.
Blount County fire departments will be at the Blount County Public Library on Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon to inspect smoke alarms. Citizens can schedule an alarm inspection visit during the event, so fire personnel can show up at their home to ensure everything is in working condition.
Are you up for the Sharps Ridge Scuttle? This unique 6-mile race winds through the trails of Sharps Ridge on Saturday morning at 8 a.m. Day-of registration is $20.
Kick off the summer with Oysterfest, to raise money for Childhelp Children’s Center of East Tennessee. The fundraiser, which features oysters, Jambalaya, shrimp, and other coastal foods, is at the Concord Marina on Northshore Drive on Saturday from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Knox County is hosting its Second Saturday Concerts series at the Cove at Concord Park and New Harvest Park. In addition to live music, there will be a food truck at The Cove selling food and drinks. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own blankets and lawn chairs. The concerts start at 6 p.m.
- June 9 – Rockinfellerz (The Cove) and Wild Blue Yonder (New Harvest)
- July 14 – The Jennings Street Band (The Cove) and Craw Daddy Jones (New Harvest)
- Aug. 11 – Freequency (The Cove) and Wild Blue Yonder (New Harvest)
DreamBikes hosts a Community Ride for all types of riders every Saturday at 4:30 p.m. The five mile-ride is open to anyone and cyclists must wear helmets.
Set your alarm clocks for a sunrise yoga session at the University of Tennessee Gardens on Saturday at 7 a.m. The class is open to all levels and costs $10.
Every Saturday evening at 7 p.m., Billy Lush Boards and Brew at Volunteer Landing hosts a City Lights Night Paddle. The cost is $28, and each participant receives an LED light and a paddle board.
Roane Street in Harriman will be closed to traffic from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. for the “Harriman Crusin’” event. Food and art vendors will line the streets, and car enthusiast will display their rides.
Sunday, June 10
Learn more about historic Pleasant Forest Cemetery in Farragut on Sunday. There will be free tours between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m., and in conjunction with the event, the Farragut Museum and gift shop will be open.
Bring your children grades K-6 to the Knoxville Museum of Art Second Sunday Art Activity Day. Children will do a hands-on activity, and tours are at 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. The event is free.
Combine adorable kittens with relaxing yoga and you’re in store for a wonderful Sunday. Young Williams Animal Shelter is hosting Kitten Yoga on Sunday from 11 a.m. to noon at Blue Ridge Yoga. The cost is $20 per person, but sign up in advance because space is limited.
Watch Knoxville’s most talented young performers compete in the YMCA’s Knoxville’s Got Talent on Sunday at 5 p.m. at the Knoxville Civic Auditorium. Tickets cost $21.