First ever SouthFest kicks off today

So, today's the day Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett kicks off his biggest cash mob yet: Southfest, a two-day event along Chapman Highway, just south of the Henley Street Bridge.

Check out the cool map that the county put together. Right smack here. They'll also be available at the event.

(Personally, I hope this because an annual thing and grows each year to the point of backed-up traffic, heavy partying and general craziness.)

Free public parking will be available at the Tennova garage on Blount Avnue, across from the former Baptist Hospital. There is a shuttle stop there, so people can park and ride, according to county communications Manager Big “Michael Grider” Sexy.

You can find out more about times and events right smack here.

Music, car show added to SouthFest

County spin guy Michael “Big Sexy” Grider continues to tout that SouthFest thing. Today, the Knox County administration announced that the event will also include a number of musical acts that will perform inside DiscExchange during the two-day event, which takes place this Friday and Saturday. (Wow, didn't realize it was this week already. Cool.)

Tim Lee 3 is set for 4 p.m. Friday, and Hot Shot Freight Train will play at 7 p.m.

Then at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Greg Horne takes the stage, and at 2 p.m. Robinella and at 3 p.m. Con Hunley.

Also, the event will feature a car show from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Satuday at 4221 Chapman Highway. The show will include members of the Corvair Club, Knox Volks Motor Club and others.

SouthFest bike routes announced

More SouthFest info as the county said today that the Appalachian Mountain Bike Club will lead two routes, both which will depart at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, April 13 from the Disc Exchange on Chapman Highway.

The adult route will head riders to Ijams Nature Center and back and a kids' shorter ride will head to historic Fort Dickerson. Participants will need their own bikes and helmets for what officials are dubbing “Tour de South." Heh. Whatever.

You can find the routes, right smack here.

Country music to headline SouthFest

More SouthFest news as Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett this morning announced a couple of headliners for the event, both which will perform outside of Emery's 5 & 10 on Chapman Highway.

First up is Homer Hart, set for 6:15 p.m. Friday, April 12.

On Saturday, April 13, at 3:15 p.m., Phoenix Stone will perform.

For more Southfest info, click right smack here.

'October Sky' to cap SouthFest day 1

Boy, they're really pushing this whole SouthFest thing. The county administration just sent out another spin release, this one to let everyone know that the SouthFest event will feature a screening of the movie “October Sky,” the 1999 flick filmed in Knoxville and starring Jake Gyllenhaal.

The movie will be shown at 8:30 p.m. on April 12 in the parking lot adjacent to the Knox County Public Library's South Knoxville branch (4500 Chapman Highway). Pre-show entertainment kicks off at 7:30 p.m.

Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett called it “a great way to wrap up” the festival's first day, and hopes residents throughout the county will show up to the “various events and to support the businesses that have been impacted by the Henley Street Bridge closure."

 

Southfest is a two-day, festival-like event put together by Burchett's office (i.e. Michael “Big Sexy” Grider) to encourage folks to visit the city's red-headed stepchild. The event will include live music and entertainment, a United Healthcare Kids Zone (whatever that is), a wellness center, Tour de South guided bicycle tours and circus-style entertainment from the Shriners.

The Community Action Committee also will provide on-site shuttles, so the public can park at a business and ride to various locations.