Press Planner
September
Thursday, Sep 17th
STRIVE program
Pellissippi State Community College and Tennessee Small Business Development Center invite veterans, active-duty members of the military and their families to apply for the STRIVE program, which helps veteran entrepreneurs transform business ideas into successful ventures through hands-on training, mentorship and community support. STRIVE’s 2026 cohort will launch Sept. 17, and meet Thursdays from 6 to 9 p.m. in the Ruth and Steve West Workforce Development Center at Pellissippi State’s Blount County campus. Find out if you’re eligible and register for STRIVE at www.pstcc.edu/veteran/strive/
Friday, Sep 18th
Movies at the Museums
The Farragut Museum will partner with Historic Houses of Knoxville in their annual fall community outreach program, Movies at the Museums. The Farragut Museum will show Herbie: Fully Loaded on Friday, September 18 at the greenspace behind the Healthy Place to Play playground at Farragut Town Hall. Movies at the Museum is free and open to the public. The event starts at 7:30 for a chance to play on the playground, admire vintage cars, visit the Farragut Museum and enjoy the food truck. The movie starts at about 8:15. Please bring a blanket or lawn chair.
Friday, Sep 18th
Memory Magic Scrapbook & Craft Event
The Oak Ridge Recreation and Parks Department will host its 21st annual Memory Magic Scrapbook & Craft Event on Sept. 18 and 19 at the Oak Ridge Recreation Center. The crop and craft area is reserved exclusively for registered participants. Cropping and Crafting will run from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. both days, providing attendees with ample time to work on projects, learn new techniques and connect with other crafters. The registration fee is $35 per day. To register online visit visitorrecparks.recdesk.com
Saturday, Sep 19th
Dunkin’ is celebrating game day
Dunkin’ is celebrating game day across East Tennessee with the fan-favorite orange-sprinkled Vols Donut (available every Saturday the Vols take the field during the regular season), a $6 Vols Meal Deal and appearances from the Dunkin’ Community Cruiser throughout the season. To stay updated on the latest happenings at Dunkin’, visit DunkinDonuts.com or subscribe to the Dunkin’ blog to receive notifications at news.dunkindonuts.com/blog
Saturday, Sep 19th
Cavett Station Day
Friends of Cavett Station invites the public to commemorate Cavett Station Day on Saturday, Sept. 19, at 10:30 a.m. The program will be held at Mars Hill Cemetery, located at 438 Broome Road, Knoxville. This year’s program will be presented by Olivia Cawood, President of Friends of Cavett Station. Her program, “Cavett Station: Another Perspective,” will focus on the effect the Cavett Station Massacre had on the lives of the Creek and Cherokee men involved, particularly Major Ridge, James Vann and John Watts. Guests are encouraged to bring their own lawn chairs. Visit friendsofcavettstation.org for more information.
Wednesday, Sep 23rd
Feed-A-Pet program
Feed-A-Pet is a program of the CAC Office on Aging and serves to provide pet food for limited-income older adults who need extra help to feed their pets. To help with this ongoing need, Feed-A-Pet is hosting a Fall Pet Food Drive. Visit www.knoxseniors.org/our-services/feed-a-pet/ to donate online or to see the list of needed items and drop-off locations.
Friday, Sep 25th
Memorial Celebration for Cheryl Van Metre
Ballet alumni and friends are invited to honor the memory of Cheryl Van Metre, the founder of both the Van Metre School of Dance and the Appalachian Ballet Company. A memorial celebration will take place on Friday, Sept. 25, at the Van Metre School of Dance, 215 W. Broadway, Maryville. The Memorial Celebration evening will begin at 5:30 p.m., with a Champagne Toast at 6 p.m. followed by a time for alumni and friends to share memories and celebrate the impact Cheryl had on countless lives. The memorial celebration is open to all ABC alumni and friends and does not require a ticket, inviting everyone to come together in remembrance. The celebration will conclude at 6:45 p.m.
Friday, Sep 25th
Emerald Masquerade Ball
The Emerald Masquerade Ball will celebrate 55 years of the Appalachian Ballet Company. Scheduled for Friday, Sept. 25, at 7 p.m. at the White Star Station, this event invites the community to come together in support of dance, creativity and local talent. The evening will include heavy hors d’oeuvres catered by Foothills Milling Co., a silent auction and a performance by the dancers of the Appalachian Ballet Company, followed by an opportunity to dance the night away. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit appalachianballet.org
Saturday, Sep 26th
Young-Williams Animal Center fundraising competition
Young-Williams Animal Center will host a cross-city fundraising competition tied to the University of Tennessee Volunteers vs. University of Texas Longhorns football game. The tailgate-style event will feature adoptable pets, food, games and a live broadcast of the game. Young-Williams Animal Center and Austin Humane Society in Austin, Texas, will compete to see which shelter can raise the most donations by the end of the game, all while raising money to help homeless pets in their communities. The event will be held on Saturday, Sept. 26, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at Young-Williams Animal Center, 3201 Division St. A simultaneous event is expected to take place at Austin Humane Society. The Longhorns will play at Neyland Stadium for the first time in program history in an SEC battle of the UTs with kickoff set for noon. The fundraising competition will launch Monday, Sept. 21, with a live goal meter on the Young-Williams Animal Center website. The campaign goal is $5,000, with supporters encouraged to rally behind their team and shelter throughout the week and on game day. To learn more about the event or make a donation, visit young-williams.org.
Saturday, Sep 26th
Morning Pointe community yard sale
The Lantern at Morning Pointe, Hardin Valley will host a community yard sale Saturday, Sept. 26, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at 2433 Reagan Road, Knoxville, TN 37931. Every dollar raised will benefit the Morning Pointe Foundation, helping support scholarships for students pursuing careers in healthcare and senior services. The event is open to the public.
Monday, Sep 28th
MEDIC seeking T-shirt designs
MEDIC donors love a good T-shirt, and MEDIC is seeking design ideas from regional high school students. Now through Sept. 28, students can submit their designs at the MEDIC website. The winner’s design will be featured on a spring shirt, and they’ll receive a $500 e-gift card. Submission guidelines can be found at medicblood.org/hsshirtcontest/as well as terms and conditions.
Tuesday, Sep 29th
Plates for a Purpose
The Pellissippi State Foundation invites the community to Plates for a Purpose, a fundraiser for the college’s Culinary Arts and Hospitality Management programs, on Sept. 29 at the Plaid Apron. Presented by The Wakefield Corporation, this intimate culinary experience features an expertly crafted four-course dinner, thoughtfully paired wines and an opportunity to make a lasting impact on student success. Individual tickets are $150. Seating is limited. Reserve your seat at https://www.pstcc.edu/foundation/plates-for-a-purpose/.
Wednesday, Sep 30th
Knox County Schools 2026 Coupon Book
The Knox County Schools 2026 Coupon Book is available for purchase now through Wednesday, Sept. 30. This is the 38th year of the district’s largest fundraiser. Each coupon book costs $20, with $15 of each sale directly supporting educational programs and initiatives in schools across the district. Each book has a unique code printed on the inside cover granting access to the Cashbook app, which unlocks many of the same coupons found in the physical book on a phone or mobile device.
October
Thursday, Oct 1st
History Readers
The Farragut Museum is introducing a new program called History Readers. The format is simple: read any material touching on a history topic (fiction or nonfiction) selected by the Farragut Museum staff and come prepared to share a short synopsis with the group. This is a chance to share favorite reads and interesting discoveries with history-minded individuals. History Readers is free and open to the public. Beginning Oct. 2026, it will meet at 4 p.m. on the first Thursday once a quarter at the Campbell Station Inn, 11409 Kingston Pike. For more information, email museum@townoffarragut.org.
Friday, Oct 2nd
Maple Lane Maze
Friday, Oct. 2, Maple Lane Maze will open its Corn Maze and other “agritainment” activities including tractor-pulled hayrides (daytime and nighttime), pumpkin picking, inflatables for the kids, music, corn hole, food and beverage vendors and more. Now booking weekday school groups, corporate groups and weekend private parties. The Maze is located at 1126 Maple Lane in Greenback, just 14 miles south of Knoxville’s McGhee Tyson Airport. The Maze is open weekends from Oct. 2 through 31. The Haunted Maze begins on weekends starting Friday night, Oct. 16. For hours of operation and more information visit https://tnmaplelanefarms.com
Wednesday, Oct 7th
Movies at the Museums
Historic House Museums of Knoxville present Movies at the Museums. HHMK invites the community to watch six different movies outdoors at six different museums across Knox County: Friday, Sept. 4, at Mabry-Hazen House (www.mabryhazen.com), Friday, Sept. 11, at James White’s Fort (www.jameswhitesfort.org), Friday. Sept. 18, at Farragut Museum (https://visitfarragut.org/listing/museum/), Friday. Sept. 25, at Blount Mansion (www.blountmansion.org), Friday. Oct. 2, at Marble Springs State Historic Site (www.marblesprings.net) and Friday. Oct. 7, at Historic Westwood (https://www.knoxheritage.org/westwood/). Admission is free for each movie, but donations are greatly appreciated to support each museum’s mission. Attendees are encouraged to bring chairs or blankets. Concessions will be available. Arrive early to visit the museums. See each museum’s respective event pages on Facebook for more details and schedule for each movie.
Wednesday, Oct 14th
Free Legal Advice Clinic for veterans
Knoxville Bar Association and Legal Aid of East Tennessee are offering a free Legal Advice Clinic on Oct. 14 at the Knox County Public Defender’s Community Law Office, 1101 Liberty Street, Knoxville, TN 37919. Any veteran seeking legal help is encouraged to attend from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. Veterans who are not able to attend the clinic in person are encouraged to use the telephone clinic option. Preregistration is required for telephone clinic and veterans are asked to call Legal Aid of East Tennessee at 865-637-0484 to preregister.
November
Tuesday, Nov 10th
Carry the Torch fundraising luncheon
Volunteer Ministry Center will host its 18th Annual Carry the Torch fundraising luncheon at the Knoxville Convention Center on Tuesday, Nov. 10, featuring Jeannette Walls as the keynote speaker with WATE Anchor, Lori Tucker, as Honorary Chair. This signature annual event boasts 700-800 attendees and raises funds towards preventing and ending homelessness in Knoxville. Funds are raised to support the mission of VMC through sponsorships, ticket purchases and donations. Attendees will enjoy a program, lunch and book signing from 11:45 a.m. to 2 p.m. There will also be a Mission Fair to highlight other community organizations and their services beginning at 10 a.m. Get involved and learn more at www.vmcinc.org/carry-the-torch.
Friday, Nov 20th
Knoxville Fire Fighters Association benefit concert
The Knoxville Fire Fighters Association represents the professional fire fighters of Knoxville and has been proudly serving our community since 1918. In order to raise funds for educational and safety programs, they are hosting a benefit concert featuring the Ultimate Garth Brooks Tribute with songs like “Friends in Low Places,” “The Dance,” and “The Thunder Rolls.” The concert will be held Friday, Nov. 20, at 8 p.m. at the Knoxville Civic Auditorium. The purchase of tickets to the show helps to support programs in Knoxville, Knox County and East Tennessee. Visit www.knoxvillefirefighters.com for more information and to purchase tickets.
Popular Lego, collectibles store continues growth
Patrick Burnette sorted through comics on an average Thursday, filing a collection that has grown almost as much as the children and families who pick through them. The same can be said for the other inventory that packs the walls at Brickhouse Collectibles in Farragut, where the 55-year-old Burnette has sold Legos, comics, collectibles and other assorted items since Aug. 1, 2020. “Farragut’s growing, man,” he said with a smile. “And I see a lot of the people as they move in. I guess they look around, have kids wanting Legos or comics, so I hear the words ‘new to Knoxville’ a lot. In six years, I still see new faces every day. The growth of Farragut is definitely making a positive impact on business.” That impact has ebbed and flowed through the years, as Burnette cited a downturn in 2024. “We definitely move with the economy,” he explained. “This is not a need, but a want. But no one ever really stops buying — they might not buy a $50 set but will buy a $20 set. We had a downturn a couple years ago but it’s definitely come back around in the last 18 months.” Now, the store is on the cusp of even more growth with Burnette set to move to a larger building in the same parking lot by the middle of 2027. “We’ll be four times bigger hopefully next year,” he said. “A lot of space for cool stuff that I can find. But it will almost be like starting a brand-new business, so we’ve got the floor plan, laying it out, looking at space for things I carry and things I’ve wanted to add but haven’t been able to yet. All of it will be in the same vein as things in here — stuff I like.” The Lego aspect — what the store is “built on,” Burnette said, will remain at the forefront, as it distinguishes his store from other similar shops around the area.
Read MoreBoard fills key Farragut roles
With new members on board, the Farragut Board of Mayor and Aldermen addressed several housekeeping items to get the new administration underway, starting with the selection of a vice mayor during its meeting Thursday, Sept. 10. The Board chose Alderman Greg Wiberley to fill that role. According to state law, Wiberley “shall serve as mayor when the mayor is absent or unable to discharge the duties of the mayor’s office, and in case of a vacancy in the office of mayor, until the next regular municipal election.” Town administrator David Smoak explained how that provision has previously affected Farragut. “If the mayor is incapacitated and unable to perform his duties, the vice mayor will take on the role of the mayor until the next regular municipal election,” Smoak said. “This has come up one time previously in Farragut when Mayor [Ralph] McGill passed away near the end of his term in 2018 and then-Vice Mayor Ron Pinchok was sworn in as mayor for a couple of months until the election in August of that year,” the administrator added. In addition to the vice mayor selection, Mayor Alex Cain appointed Angel Ray, Michael Wilson and John Tague to fill vacancies on the Farragut Municipal Planning Commission. Cain, as mayor, and Wiberley, who was chosen to serve as the Board’s representative, also will sit on the Commission.
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Presstalk
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Opinion
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR RULES Read More
Business
New business activity heats up in Farragut Read More
Popular Lego, collectibles store continues growth Read More
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