Everyone loves wearing a costume at the East Tennessee History Fair

With the upcoming East Tennessee History Fair coming up August 15, 2015, we are reposting this blog that was originally published in 2014.  For a listing of all the activities (and there are many), be sure to check the East Tennessee History Fair website here for times and events.  Then head downtown for book signings, reenactors, Friends of the Knox County Library Book Sale, children’s activities, dog costume contest, activities at the Tennessee Theatre.  Or hop on a bus and tour historic homes.  At World’s Fair Park, watch Vintage Baseball as it once was played.  So much to do at the History Fair!!

If the term “jam-packed” ever defined a one-day festival, it would be most appropriate at the Eighth Annual East Tennessee History Fair sponsored by the East Tennessee Historical Society on August 16th! And you might wonder if anyone in our modern tech age would be interested.  But with record numbers in attendance (probably beating last year’s 13,000) and a grand slate of events, there was no way any one person could see it all . . .  but thousands tried. We hung out mainly in Krutch Park in the center of downtown Knoxville since there were reenactors, authors, and history groups galore.  And our position had a little to do with the proximity right next to the food trucks and Market Square Farmers Market, famous in its own right!  (See bottom of this post for a listing of other events that day.)

East Tennessee Historical Society, sponsor of the East Tennessee History Fair

Krutch Park was a-buzz with all the history folks.  Like the Knoxville Civil War Roundtable offering special commemorative items.  Since the Civil War Sesquicentennial is just around the corner, they know folks are watching web sites for updates so they can “do it up right.” They were happy to fill us in on what’ll be happening in East Tennessee.

Knoxville Civil War Roundtable booth at East Tennessee History Fair

Commemorative mugs and license plates at the Knoxville Civil War Roundtable booth.

Authors like Gordon T. Belt sat under tents and autographed books. Some even posed for pictures and told why they did all that research and published a book.  (No small feat, of course.)

Author of John Sevier: Tennessee’s First Hero, Gordon T. Belt, takes a break from autographing copies.

In another booth, Laura Still described her Knoxville Walking Tours.  You can have your choice of packaged tours — Civil War, Ghosts, Early Years, Gunslingers, Literary Heritage — and more.  And if you take one of the 90-minute jaunts, you’ll learn a little Knoxville history and add steps to your FitBit, too!

Laura Still of Knoxville Walking Tours

But most impressive (especially in the summer heat) were the many reenactors in the Living History Timeline representing Colonial days to WWII.  Several, like Kelly Ford in an authentic WWI uniform, told how he made everything using remnants from original clothing.

We were especially honored to meet Abe and Mary Lincoln (Tom and Susan Wright) and their son Tad (grandson Kyle Wright) behind The Holston.

Tom & Sue Wright with grandson Kyle Wright pose as Mary, Tad, and Abe Lincoln

Near the side entrance to the East Tennessee Historical Society Museum, onlookers were fascinated that a blacksmith (Bill Rose) was plying his trade and sharing his techniques right on a city street . . .

Mike Rose demonstrates blacksmithing techniques in Krutch Park

while some young festival attendees fashioned dolls out of cloth scraps with the help of volunteer seamstresses — much as children would have done in days gone by.

A representative from The Society of Civil War Surgeons portrayed Col. Bill Walker as he shared how surgeries were performed using many of the instruments he had carefully displayed. (See those silver prongs?  They had something to do with “bustin’ up” kidney stones, but I wince even as I post this!)

Col. Bill Walker, Civil War Surgeon

David Dinwiddie shared the story and pictures of his great great uncle William Dinwiddie, a Knoxville policeman fatally shot by the infamous outlaw Kid Curry in 1902. The constable hat?  Yep, authentic.  Owned by William Dinwiddie and well preserved, don’t you think?

David Dinwiddie portrays a 1902 constable with original hat worn by great great uncle William Dinwiddie

In another tent, long-time friend Bill Alexander charmed us as only he can do with his poetry and “gen-u-wine” mountain humor.  Dubbed the Poet Laureate of Hippie Jack’s, Bill makes mountain berry baskets and writes poetry, much of which he recites when he performs for crowds who appreciate a true Appalachian humorist and lover of “the good life.”

Bill Alexander, Poet Laureate of Hippie Jack’s

Talented folks inside the East Tennessee History Center shared their knowledge and crafts  — like Dale Liles and Carolyn Rogers  – the art of spinning; Anne Freels  – how to make cornhusk dolls; and Edward Bardill and others who moved handmade miniature soldiers to replicate the Battle of Campbell’s Station.

By all accounts, the East Tennessee History Fair was one for . . . well, the history books:  record crowd, long list of events, and kids (and grownups) listening while those in the know shared what they came to share.  Better check this one out next year.  It really is a Blast from the Past.

Jeremy Hall, Union soldier, shows Zoe his Civil War firearm.

Other events in the East Tennessee Historical Society History Fair:

• Free admission to the Museum of East Tennessee History
• Davy Crockett’s Birthday celebration
• “History Hound” Dog Costume Contest
• WDVX Radio & Clayton Country Music Stage
• Friends of the Library Book Sale
• Meet the Authors & Book Signing (Gordon T. Belt, Natalie Sweet, Martha Wiley, Jack Neely, Bill Landry)
• Raku Pottery activity
• Living History Timeline
• Demonstrating Artists
• Historic Home Tours
• Civil War Bus Tour
• Tennessee Theatre Tours
• Women’s Suffrage Memorabilia and Office Tours
• Vintage Base Ball Doubleheader
• East Tennesseans on Film (Bijou Theatre)
• Civil War Commemoration Event
• Live Music

For more information:

East Tennessee Historical Society:

Balloon Santa faces were a big hit at the Regal Celebration of Lights 2014!

So what’s up, Knoxville? Gay Street closes? Families with kids smushed into strollers or perched on daddy’s shoulders move through Krutch Park? And the waiting line for the ice rink in Market Square snakes all the way around the big white tent?

It was the Celebration of Lights sponsored by Regal Cinema — Friday, November 28th — when Mayor Rogero (with the help of Santa, of course) lit the city’s holiday tree kicking off Christmas in the City.

And what a crowd it was! Parking lots at capacity. Restaurants with long wait times. And lines at family-friendly booths confirmed what we suspected — kids love doing as much as seeing.  Like writing letters to Santa (sponsored by Visit Knoxville), designing Christmas cards for the troops at the Red Cross booth, or concocting “reindeer” food with the help of Earth Fare employees.

Busy making Santa faces and reindeer hats out of balloons!

Some folks hopped aboard the train snaking its way down Gay Street . . .

Holiday train, Gay Street, Knoxville

while others just tried to stay warm.

Huddled around the fire in front of Urban Outfitters, Knoxville

Strains of holiday sounds from a man playing a saw (yes, really) drew a crowd . . .

This guy played a saw for hours at Knoxville’s Celebration of Lights.

as did the Salvation Army players . . .

Entertaining the crowd at Krutch Park.

and this happy bell ringer.

Ringing the bell for Salvation Army, Knoxville.

A group of exchange students from France and their host families in Oak Ridge loved posing in the midst of the mayhem on Market Square . . . 

Students from Oak Ridge High and exchange students from France pose in Market Square

while wobbly skaters packed into the rink on Market Square — some just lucky to be upright!

A popular place — the ice rink on Market Square. (Open ’til January 5th)

Bundled-up fans like this little panda on her daddy’s shoulders . . .

Daddy with a panda on his shoulders listens to EmiSunshine and the Rain performing in Market Square.

listened — amazed — at the grown-up sounds coming from 10-year-old EmiSunshine and the Rain.  (She even yodels!)

EmiSunshine and the Rain performing on Market Square at the Regal Celebration of Lights

But the longest lines of all moved cautiously in and around and through Krutch Park beautifully lit with over 100,000 lights as young and old tried to find a place near the stage.

Knoxville’s Krutch Park lit for the season.

We joined the crowd, grabbing a free sample of Cheerwine from the girls of Rowan County, North Carolina, where it’s made, and then . . .

Who can resist a free sample of Cheerwine?

when Santa arrived, we listened as Mayor Madeline Rogero urged everyone to enjoy what the city had to offer — from decorated windows to the parade coming on December 5th.  The countdown began — 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 — ’til the tree was lit and fireworks shot up toward the top of The Holston!

And the tree was lit!

Another great Celebration of Lights kicked off Christmas in the City.  Knoxville was officially ready for the 2014 holiday season!

For more information about activities all over Knoxville during the month of December, go to the City of Knoxville website.

Articles on the Regal Celebration of Lights:

“Look past Thanksgiving to ‘Christmas in the City'” by Amy McCrary: http://www.knoxnews.com/knoxville/family/look-past-thanksgving-to-christmas-in-the-city_96084918

“Christmas in the City Kicks Off Nov. 28 with Tree Lighting, Market Square Holiday Ho-Ho-Hoedown, Ice Skating”: http://www.cityofknoxville.org/Press_Releases/Content/2014/1113.asp

Facebook pages

City of Knoxville Special Events:  https://www.facebook.com/CityofKnoxvilleSpecialEvents

EmiSunshine and the Rain: https://www.facebook.com/emisunshinemusic

Mayor Madeline Rogero: https://www.facebook.com/MayorRogero

Visit Knoxville: https://www.facebook.com/visitknoxvilletn

Knoxville’s Dogwood Arts Festival 2014 officially runs through April, but blooms don’t always get it!  We can remember festivals beginning AFTER the delicate four-petaled dogwood blooms have peaked and faded.  On the other hand, we can also remember years when blooms just aren’t ready for opening day even if we have visitors from around the world in town to see them.  They do what they do when they want to do it!

But this year’s different.  Timing seems perfect.  First, we noticed our Lenten Roses (Helleborus Orientalis) perk up their nodding heads and show us their throats mid-March.

Lenten Roses are first to peek out and show their colors in the garden.

Then we were blessed with massive blooms on our White Star Star Magnolia.

Open bloom on a White Star Star Magnolia

Daffodils, too, opened with yellow profusion in late March along the Interstate where dedicated volunteers have sprinkled them for years, thanks to the vision of Maria Compere and others.  And the rest of us just follow suit, adding handfuls of bulbs to our landscape each fall.

Daffodil blooms anxiously awaiting their own “open date.”

Redbuds with their graceful branches dotted with tiny pinkish, purplish blossoms began around the first of April saying, We’re here.  Look at us.

Redbuds along Knoxville’s Lake Loudon near the Henley Street Bridge

And this pink profusion of tulips was enough to make us stop and take a closer look on Sunday, April 6th, even if we did have to get on our hands and knees for a good shot!

Full plantings of pink tulips in bloom at Cherokee Country Club, Knoxville

But finally on the first weekend of Dogwood Festival (as if the blooms knew what we wanted this year), we were blessed with lacy canopies of luscious springtime beauty. It’s Dogwood Time in Tennessee!

Dogwoods blooming at entrance to Krutch Park, downtown Knoxville

Wanna keep track of dogwood blooms?  You can watch one pink dogwood tree on the Fountain City Trail unfold from bud to full bloom as pictures are added each day.  Head to the Dogwood Arts website for Bloom Watch 2014.

Just buds on Wednesday, March 26, 2014.

Almost full bloom on Monday, April 7th: Pink dogwood, Bloom Watch 2014

Or come to Knoxville for any one of the signature events and activities that put us on the map for the best place to visit in April — events like Rhythm ‘n Blooms, Chalk Walk, Open Gardens, Dogwood Trails, and Art in Public Places.

Singing happy songs on a sunny day in downtown Knoxville! Does it get any better than this?

Loving the sunshine and music downtown

“Sailor’s Warning” by Duke Oursler. Part of Art in Public Places, downtown Knoxville

As part of Chalk Walk 2014, artists from Spamalot add their entry to the sidewalk in Krutch Park. Spamalot arrives in Knoxville April 24th: http://clarencebrowntheatre.com/plays/monty-pythons-spamalot/

The Dogwood Arts Festival invites residents and visitors to enjoy music, art, and festivities downtown or drive through subdivisions marked with pink “follow-me” markings where dogwoods and other flowers celebrate the 60th year of Dogwood Trails.

Strolling through Krutch Park: Dogwood Arts Festival 2014

Prettiness is blooming all over Knoxville.  So join our blog this week and next as we drive the trails, stroll the gardens, and admire the art.  The Dogwood Arts Festival is here at last!

Dogwood Arts Festival

Digital Guide: http://www.dogwoodarts.com/about/

Trails and Gardens: http://www.dogwoodarts.com/trails-and-gardens/

Events & Exhibits: http://www.dogwoodarts.com/events-exhibits/

Bloom Watch 2014: http://www.dogwoodarts.com/bloomwatch2014/

Have you visited Knoxville during the Dogwood Arts Festival?  Or do you live here and love the events and blooms?  Add your comments below.  We’d love to hear from you.