Knox Heritage’s “Dancin’ in the Street” party really had them, well, dancing in the street!

Sisters Nora and Ellen Robinson dancing in the street. Nora, left, was visiting from California.

Sisters Nora and Ellen Robinson dancing in the street. Nora, left, was visiting from California.

It was last Friday night. Cooler than it had been in a long time. And the good folks at Kendrick Place near Chesapeake’s restaurant in downtown Knoxville had agreed to let Knox Heritage have the private drive behind their condos for a “Dancin’ in the Street” party. It was the last of the organization’s hugely popular “Summer Suppers” series for this year.

So it wasn’t a surprise when folks really did dance in the street! (This is the kind of thing that is just perfect downtown. I can’t imagine this happening in my west Knoxville suburb.)

The theme was “an international street fair with local flair.” The nametags had passports on them. And the food was whimsical: falafels and tzatziki, chicken satay, corn dogs, barbecue sliders and the traditional East Tennessee favorite, a “full house, ” i.e. hot tamales and chili.

The street was decorated with flags of various countries. Awesome, bluesy music was by Jenna and the Accidentals. Who could stop themselves from dancing?

Guest Jennifer Holder chats with David Dewhirst, one of the party hosts.

Guest Jennifer Holder chats with David Dewhirst, one of the party hosts.

It was a great street for a party.

It was a great street for a party.

Guest Alan Carmichael and host Janet Testerman

Guest Alan Carmichael and host Janet Testerman

Scott Schimmel and Lisa Sorensen, the owners of Bliss and Bliss Home, were hosts who staffed the food table.

Scott Schimmel and Lisa Sorensen, the owners of Bliss and Bliss Home, were hosts who staffed the food table.

This satay chicken tree was the creation of Janet Testerman, a former caterer who now is the editor of Knoxville Magazine. Fun!

This satay chicken tree was the creation of Janet Testerman, a former caterer who now is the editor of Knoxville Magazine. Fun!

Host Kelly Johnson staffed the food table. She and her husband, Jonathan Wimmer,brought the barbecue sliders from Bennett's BBQ, which their family owns.

Host Kelly Johnson staffed the food table. She and her husband, Jonathan Wimmer, brought the barbecue sliders from Bennett's BBQ, which their family owns.

Bill and Gay Lyons, who live at Kendrick Place, were among the hosts.

Bill and Gay Lyons, who live at Kendrick Place, were among the hosts.

Laurens Tullock relaxes over dinner.

Laurens Tullock relaxes over dinner.

Guests Ed and Corrine Patrick pose by a lovely lamp post.

Guests Ed and Corrine Patrick pose by a lovely lamp post.

From left: Melinda Meador, Nora and Ellen Robinson, and Peter Acly

From left: Melinda Meador, Nora and Ellen Robinson, and Peter Acly

Guests Richard and Dawn Ford chat with host Mickey Mallonee, right.

Guests Richard and Dawn Ford chat with host Mickey Mallonee, right.

Guests Jim and Tam Martin share a laugh with host Caesar Stair IV, right.

Guests Jim and Tam Martin share a laugh with host Caesar Stair IV, right.

Ron and Carolyn Lawrence

Ron and Carolyn Lawrence

From left: Randall DeFord, Annette and Scott Brun, Wes Stoddard

From left: Randall DeFord, Annette and Scott Brun, Wes Goddard

Jennifer Holder hams it up with one of the hosts, Hannah Parker

Jennifer Holder hams it up with one of the hosts, Hannah Parker

Two of the hosts were Karen Kluge and Tim Allen.

Two of the hosts were Karen Kluge and Tim Allen.

Georgiana Vines and her special friend, Gideon Fryer

Georgiana Vines and her special friend, Gideon Fryer

Kim Trent, Knox Heritage executive director, makes a few announcements.

Kim Trent, Knox Heritage executive director, makes a few announcements.

At dusk, Jenna and the Accidentals cranked up.

At dusk, Jenna and the Accidentals cranked up.

Jenna Jefferson

Jenna Jefferson

Rosa Mar. left, and Ellen Robinson hit the dance floor.

Rosa Mar, left, and Ellen Robinson hit the dance floor.

So did Julie Mayshark, one of the hosts.

So did Julie Mayshark, one of the hosts.

Karen Kluge, left, decided to assist the band.

Karen Kluge, left, decided to assist the band.

Meanwhile, Bill Lyons went into his own condo to take a little break.

Meanwhile, Bill Lyons went into his own condo to take a little break.

Kim Henry, one of the hosts, demonstrated how to keep track of your cup while keeping your hands free!

Kim Henry, one of the hosts, demonstrated how to keep track of your cup while keeping your hands free!

Finally it was time to say goodnight. We felt safe knowing one of our favorite police officers, Bobby Hubbs of the Knox County Sheriff's Office, was on the scene. (He was hired to be there -- he didn't respond to a call!)

Finally it was time to say goodnight. We felt safe knowing one of our favorite police officers, Bobby Hubbs of the Knox County Sheriff's Office, was on the scene. (He was hired to be there -- he didn't respond to a call!)

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