There is something for everyone on the food front in downtown Knoxville this weekend.
Every time I ran into a Knoxvillian downtown today, there was a giddy smile on his or her face. I’m not kidding. And I include myself in that statement.
Downtown Knoxville was packed today as beautiful weather welcomed the second day of the Dogwood Arts Festival‘s Market Square Art Fair. Music filled the official stages and all kinds of buskers filled in around the edges. Crazy carnival food made Market Street feel like the Tennessee Valley Fair, and all the regular restaurants and cafes were filled to overflowing offering everything from Mexican at Soccer Taco and Cocoa Moon to Italian at Bella Luna and good old southern cookery at Tupelo Honey Cafe.
Hundreds of archeologists in town for a gathering at the Knoxville Convention Center swelled the crowd and had me recommending to inquiring strangers that, to find an open lunch table, they head over to the 100 block of Gay Street or to the Bistro at the Bijou on the 800 block of Gay Street, just to get away from the crush.
But despite that, the mood was festive. The art was lovely. And my friends and I just couldn’t believe how lucky we all are to be living in Knoxville, Tennessee, at this very moment. Developer John Craig, Knoxville Deputy Mayor Bill Lyons and I literally stood for a long while in the middle of Market Street marveling at the crowds and the palpable happiness all around us. Later, I saw buddies Kim Trent and Hollie Cook on Market Square searching for food. “Can you believe this?” we all said. Later the same thing happened when I ran into Kim Henry and Jennifer Holder. And again when Kay Clayton and her sister, Ann Goldstine, said hello to me coming out of an artist’s booth in the Krutch Park extension. Sandy Martin also was shopping there with a group of friends.
So, folks, my invitation to you is to get in on this! The Market Square Art Fair runs today (Saturday) until 9 p.m. and again tomorrow from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. You just gotta see this to believe it!
Vicki Love of Knoxville was selling the most beautiful leather purses. I bought two. You also can find her lovely work in the Art Market on Gay Street.
I really needed a black purse. I didn't really need the blue one like this that I bought!
I wanted this one, too, but made myself hold off.
The pottery is so beautiful this year. Like these teapots by York Haverkamp of Norris, Tennessee. Word to the wise: Mother's Day is coming up!
Yard art is big this year -- like this pretty bug by Allen Hampton of Chattanooga.
I've never seen so many beautiful pens! These are by Terri Cadman and M. Cummins of New Market, Tennessee.
Nick Freeman of Livingston, Tenn., is back this year with his wonderful charcoals. Many, like this one, feature Knoxville scenes.
I cracked up when I saw this sculpture of a preacher waving a snake and holding a Bible. He is made of stones and sticks by Steve Rhule of Andersonville, Tennessee.
All the patios were full, like this one at Tupelo Honey Cafe.
Tents and tables were set up to accommodate folks who bought food from the booths and food trucks on Market Street.
But some took matters into their own hands!
Hats off to the Market Square shops like Earth to Old City that pulled merchandise onto the sidewalk and set up tables and chairs.
I love the beach scenes by Linda Pirkle of Atlanta.
Michael Lee of Alpharetta, Georgia, had lots of paintings of horses and sports figures. But my favorites were the ones he had of chefs. I'd love one for my kitchen.
Kathy Veverka of Florence, South Carolina, has the most beautiful pieces. I already have several.
Here's Kathy, right, talking to another repeat customer.
All kinds of dogs are part of the scene, as well. I loved this cute one.
There are all kinds of activities for kids in the "Children's Creation Station."
I did not try the Moonshine Cake, but I loved the sign. "Please eat responsibly!" Ha.
OK. Turn off that computer and get down here! You will be glad you did.
It was a fun, beautiful day downtown – sorry we missed you! John and I took Chloe and Pez for brunch on the patio at Cafe 4, strolled the art fair and some downtown shops (it was a little hard to shop when stopping for so many sweet folks wanting to meet and pet the pups!), and then to the Downtown Dog Park. It was perfect.
Lauren: I wish I had seen you guys! I would have been one of the folks stopping you to pet the pups!
It’s been a perfect weekend! I second Cynthia–if you haven’t been downtown this weekend, you really need to come. See you on Market Square!
We were busy all weekend, but after reading this post, we hurried on down to Market Square to see the arts and crafts people! As always, there was plenty to look at, and we now have a new piece of pottery for our kitchen. It was fun looking through your eyes at what your favorite booths were! So, thanks for the good pictures and great ideas for what to see and do!
Yay! Glad you came down, Rusha! It was this time last year, wasn’t it, when you all leased a place and became downtowners for a little while? Wish we could get you back permanently.
Glad you mentioned York Haverkamp’s pottery. His father is a friend of ours who is the pastor of the Norris church where Duane grew up! York is one of 12 children and he comes from a fine family. Unfortunately, I missed the show this year — first time in maybe 20 years! (But your blog helps….next best thing to being there….)
Oh, Marsha, how special that you know him. That is very interesting information about him being one of 12 children. I just love his work. I hope you can come join us in our downtown “neighborhood” event next year. Although we live downtown, we know that it really is everyone’s neighborhood!
That cute teenager eating on the curb is my nephew Cowan, he loves living downtown!
Meg: Seriously? That’s awesome! I bet it would be a blast to be a teenager living downtown. Where does he live?
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