Latest news with #VisitKnoxville
Yahoo
27-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
LIST: Things to do during Knoxville Marathon weekend
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — The Covenant Health Knoxville Marathon brings thousands of runners and spectators to downtown Knoxville. Whether you're in town and looking for a way to relax before running the marathon or looking for a way to stay occupied before heading to your favorite cheering spot, there is plenty to do around the Covenant Health Knoxville Marathon. Where to cheer on runners during the 2025 Knoxville Marathon For those who may be in town early, the Covenant Health Knoxville Marathon events fall just after First Friday in Knoxville. On the first Friday of every month, Visit Knoxville puts on the First Friday event, which has a variety of art, music, food and fun each time. Part of that event includes the First Friday Art Walk in downtown Knoxville, which is free. According to Downtown Knoxville, there's no right or wrong way to experience the Art Walk, just roam from spot to spot and find new artists. The event will run from around 5 p.m. until 'late,' according to Visit Knoxville. View the First Friday Art Walk map here. One of the other delightful events that is sharing the weekend with the Covenant Health Knoxville Marathon is the Dogwood Arts Chalk Walk, which takes place in Market Square, just a few blocks away from the starting line. This year, there is expected to be more than 300 artists, food trucks, a beer garden and free children's activities. The Chalk Walk starts at 8 a.m. and will run through 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 5. Learn more here. East Tennessee is a region steeped in rich history. In Downtown Knoxville, the Museum of East Tennessee History at the East Tennessee History Center is a great place to learn a little more about that history, whether you are looking to take a break from the busy streets or want to spend a few hours. There are several permanent exhibits at the museum, but currently, the Museum of East Tennessee History also has the 'Home Runs & Home Teams' exhibit that delves into the history of baseball in Tennessee. 'We have to take care of our bodies' Doctor sets goal to take on Covenant Health Knoxville 5K The museum, located at 601 S. Gay Street, is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays, and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays. While there is a ticket fee most of the time for those ages 17 and up, on Sunday, the Museum of East Tennessee History offers free admission while welcoming donations through its donation box. It's hard to take a trip to Downtown Knoxville without stumbling onto some of the city's murals, but have you seen all of them? Visit Knoxville has a map that can be used for an individual walking tour that stops by many of these murals, although more murals are added frequently. This year, during the 70th annual Dogwood Trails, Dogwood Arts is collaborating with a professional muralist to unveil six new student-painted murals in downtown Knoxville through a workshop. The new murals will be on display at Maker Exchange through April. If art and history aren't your thing, don't fret. Downtown Knoxville also has a plethora of shops and activities to stay plenty busy. From Tall Man Toys and Comics near World's Fair Park, to the Mast General Store on Gay Street and Union Ave. Books, there are shops for just about everyone. For those who may be working on a tighter budget, Gay Street and Market Square are also nice places to window shop and enjoy a nice walk amidst the hustle and bustle of a downtown weekend. When you need a break from taking in downtown, there are quite a few local restaurants, breweries and coffee shops to refuel within walking distance of World's Fair Park. A large concentration is located in Market Square and on Gay Street, but there are also some great choices on Jackson Avenue and in the Old City. For those more inclined to a nice cup of tea, there are also Spice & Tea Exchange of Knoxville and the Hello Tea House on Gay Street. How organizers ensure the Covenant Health Knoxville Marathon is 26.2 miles If you are looking for an indoor art experience, the Knoxville Museum of Art is a great place to start. The museum is located on World's Fair Park Drive, just up the hill from World's Fair Park. Tickets are always free, and they are open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays, and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays. While the starting and finish line for the Marathon and Half Marathon will be in or near World's Fair Park, there are also several other parks in downtown. Whether you're hoping to let your children play at Fort Kid, admire the outdoor artwork in Charles Krutch Park, or enjoy the beauty of the Tennessee River from Volunteer Landing Park, there are plenty of parks in downtown to take advantage of. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
05-02-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Return of Bassmaster Classic highlights growth of Knoxville sports scene
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — The Bassmaster Classic is making its return to Knoxville in 2026, marking another addition to the Scruffy City's growing sports scene. The competition was previously held in Knoxville in 2019 and 2023. More than 160,000 people traveled to the city for the event two years ago, setting an attendance record. 'They're coming for a lot of reasons,' said Visit Knoxville President Kim Bumpas. 'They're coming to watch the competition but they're also coming to go to the world's largest fishing expo, that actually has a lot more to shop for than just fishing equipment, so it's super exciting for everyone in Knoxville.' Construction of East Knoxville multiuse stadium enters final phase The 2023 classic made an impact on more than just Knoxville's fishing community. 'In 2023, the economic impact was over $35 million. That's people staying in hotels, eating at restaurants, shopping, enjoying all the city has to offer. Over 29,000 hotel rooms were purchased over the stay of visitors for the 2023 classic,' B.A.S.S. CEO Chase Anderson said. Professional Angler Robert Gee grew up in Knoxville and graduated from Christian Academy of Knoxville and University of Tennessee. He's competing at his first ever Bassmaster Classic this year in Fort Worth, Texas, but is hoping to qualify for the 2026 competition in his hometown. 'That's going to be my number one goal, is to make this classic, because I grew up fishing up on Fort Loudoun and Tellico,' he said. 'I mean this has been my home lake growing up so I'm really looking forward to trying to make this tournament.' Price increase for UT Basketball season tickets due to talent fee, arena upgrades The news of the Bassmaster Classic's return comes during an era of growth for the Knoxville sports scene. The Smokies baseball team will soon begin their first season in the new multi-use stadium being built in downtown Knoxville which will also host professional soccer team One Knoxville Sporting Club. As a lifelong Knoxvillian, Gee says right now is the best time to be a Tennessee sports fan. 'It's been the best of my lifetime. I was born in 1999, so I was born like eleven days after we won the 1998 national championship. So this has kind of been the peak of my life of Tennessee sports. I mean we're good at baseball, basketball, football. We're getting the Smokies to come to Knoxville. We're getting the Bassmaster Classic to come to Knoxville. So if you're a sports fan, Knoxville is the perfect place to live in my opinion,' he said. The 2026 Bassmaster Classic will be held March 13-15. Fort Loudoun Lake, Tellico Lake and Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center will all serve as venues for the competition. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
