Amazing Pair of Festivals Keep Knoxville Hopping!
Just as springtime returns, Knoxville presents visitors with two festivals that are sure to entertain. The Dogwood Arts Festival encompasses the entire month of April each year. In its 52nd year, the Festival again offers a variety of events with something for everyone. An eclectic mix of vibrant garden tours, dance, theater, crafts, visual and literary arts as well as music are ready to entertain you and many of the events are free.
Throughout the Festival, the theme of Art in Public Places is a big draw for many and large-scale outdoor sculptures will be in abundance enlivening downtown. Beginning April 6th, Dogwood Trails, Open Gardens and Camera Sites allow exploration of over 60 miles of trails, camera sites, historic homes and open gardens with options to walk, bike or drive. Featured historic homes include: the Mabry-Hazen House, the Blount Mansion and Garden and Crescent Bend/Armstrong-Lockett House.
Market Square Art Fair (April 15-17) transforms downtown into a festive street fair with arts and crafts booths, demonstrations, entertainment and dining. One highlight for many year after year is the Dogwood Parade (April 29). Gay Street comes to life with bands, floats, performing artists and giant helium balloons for a wonderful celebration of community, spring, nature and art.
Erin Slocum, Marketing Manager for Dogwood Arts states: “the festival attracted more than 250,000 attendees last year from all over the city, region and county. Being seen as an arts destination is our goal and we would love to positively impact Knoxville’s economy during the entire month of April.”
For a complete list of events and venues, visit: www.dogwoodarts.com
The weekend of April 9 brings the 10th Annual Rossini Festival. The Italian Street Fair is a free event held at Gay Street and Market Square (downtown). What a great way to release your inner Italian! Featuring: four stages of entertainment, an Artisan’s market, Italian and Mediterranean food favorites and activities for all ages. Kids will enjoy the street parades with historical re-enactors and a children’s area. New to opera? Relax and take in the free outdoor performances by the Knoxville Opera’s cast of Puccini’s Tosca!
As one of the Southeast’s most interesting cultural attractions, Knoxville Opera’s Rossini Festival Italian Street Fair brings a taste of Europe to East Tennessee and celebrates the color, fun and excitement of opera and Italian culture. In addition to the Italian Street Fair, the Knoxville Opera will be presenting their production of Bellini’s I Puritani (must purchase tickets) and the University of Tennessee Opera Theatre will be performing in the historic Bijou Theatre.
Even a prolonged rain could not keep the crowds away at the 2010 festival, come and see for yourself why so many enjoy this festival year after year.
For more information, visit: http://www.knoxvilleopera.com/rossini/
These festivals celebrate all that is unique about Knoxville, a small city with big city arts in a welcoming atmosphere. Options for lodging are plentiful, including the Hampton Inn on West Main Street and the Hilton on West Church Street.
While you are in Knoxville, make time to visit their many other attractions including: the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame, the World’s Fair Park, the Knoxville Zoo, or take a cruise along the Tennessee River.
If you go:
Knoxville is a 4 hour drive from Cincinnati traveling south on I-75.
Bijou Theatre, 803 South Gay St, 865-522-0832, www.knoxbijou.com
Tennessee Theatre and Knoxville Opera, 604 South Gay Street, 865-684-1200 and 865-524-0795 (opera). www.tennesseetheatre.com, www.knoxvilleopera.com
Knoxville Visitor Center, 301 South Gay Street, 865-342-9143, www.knoxville.org
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