July
Friday, Jul 24th
MEDIC Regional Blood Center offers Dollywood tickets
MEDIC Regional Blood Center is teaming up with Dollywood to provide a special incentive for donors from Monday, July 20, through Friday, July 24. All donors with a successful donation will receive a ticket to Dollywood. Donations during this event week are by appointment only. Due to the popularity of the promotion, MEDIC cannot accommodate walk-in donors. Donors can call 865-524-3074 to schedule their appointment, visit medicblood.org/donate or download the new MEDIC donor app to search for a drive closest to them and schedule their appointment.
Tuesday, Jul 28th
Paralyzed Veterans of America launched its annual in-store checkout campaign
with long-time partner Food City. NASCAR legend Kyle Petty joined his dad, seven-time NASCAR champion Richard Petty, to support the campaign. This year’s in-store donation drive will run at all Food City locations from July 1 to 28. Customers can select $1, $3, or $5 donations, donate the amount of their choice, or round up their order total to the next dollar amount as they checkout. Customers who are shopping online can also donate. To learn more about the Food City/PVA partnership and this month’s activation, visit foodcity.com.
Friday, Jul 31st
Where’s Waldo? scavenger hunt
The Where’s Waldo? scavenger hunt has returned to Downtown Knoxville for the ninth annual event through July 31. This year’s hunt features more than 40 participating businesses, including restaurants, shops, museums and galleries. Window graphics at participating locations mark each stop, where searchers can pick up a Waldo Passport and begin their search. For a list of participating merchants, visit downtownknoxville.org/waldo. Inside each business, participants look for Waldo hidden somewhere on display. Once he’s spotted, players can ask
for a stamp of their passport and continue the search at the next stop. Participants who collect 20 or more stamps are eligible to enter prize drawings featuring gift cards and other rewards. The first 750 spotters also can claim a “Found Waldo Knox” sticker at Union Ave Books, the host location of the Where’s Waldo? scavenger hunt.
Friday, Jul 31st
“Newts in Knoxville”
Another scavenger hunt everyone can take part in is “Newts in Knoxville,” a permanent downtown installation created by the Downtown Knoxville Alliance. This self-guided adventure features 12 bronze Eastern newt sculptures hidden throughout downtown. Participants can pick up a free passport with clues at the Knoxville Visitors Center, Mast General Store or online at knoxnewts.com. The experience is designed to be completed in under an hour and offers a lighthearted way to explore downtown while learning about local wildlife.
Friday, Jul 31st
American Red Cross seeking donors
American Red Cross is asking donors of all blood types to make an appointment to give blood, platelets or plasma. As a thank-you, all who come to give through July 31 will receive a Fandango movie ticket by email (up to $15 ticket price and fees). Additional details can be found at RedCrossBlood.org/July
August
Saturday, Aug 8th
Shoes for School event
The Knoxville Area Urban League (KAUL) is seeking support from sponsors, vendors and volunteers for this year’s Shoes for School event. The event will be held Saturday, August 8, from 9 a.m. to noon at Covenant Health Park. Sponsors and volunteers can register now at givebutter.com/2026-shoes-for-school-oswjdl.
Monday, Aug 10th
Knox County Schools National School Lunch Program
Knox County Schools announces its policy for free and reduced-price meals for children served in schools under the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program. The 2026-27 school year begins on Aug. 10, and families unable to pay for breakfast and lunch meals at school – or do not attend a Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) school – now can apply for free and reduced-price meals. Families can apply for meals through the LINQ Connect portal at https://linqconnect.com/main. Paper applications are also available.
Saturday, Aug 15th
Emory Valley Center Dragon Boat Race
Registration is now open for the 2026 Emory Valley Center Dragon Boat Race on Saturday, August 15, at Melton Lake in Oak Ridge. Each team will race in authentic dragon boats with 10 paddlers and 1 drummer. No experience is necessary, and practice sessions will be available before race day. For more information, contact Aaron.Price@evcmail.org. Register at www.emoryvalleycenter.org/dragon-boat-race-2026/
