From left, Jane Jetson (a.k.a. Ellen Robinson); George Jetson (a.k.a. Peter Acly); Elroy Jetson (a.k.a. Doug McKamey) and Judy Jetson (a.k.a. Nora Robinson)
The year was 2062 — exactly 100 years after “The Jetsons” first aired on American TV. The setting: Orbit City, where George Jetson lived with his wife, Jane; son, Elroy; and daughter, Judy. The food was exactly what many of us ate as we watched the original “Jetsons” TV show: Salisbury steak! We even had TV dinner trays.
In reality, we were at a Summer Supper, a fundraiser for Knox Heritage. But who wants reality when you can party with all the fun Jetsons characters. Especially Rosie the robot! Here are some sights from an out-of-this world evening in Knoxville’s own Space Age icon: the Sunsphere.
One of the hosts, Melinda Meador, in a Space Age collar that fellow host Margaret Samples made for everyone.
Hosts Mark and Cathy Hill, left, with Erin Donovan as "Rosie the Robot."
Here's another take on "Rosie!" This one is actually Rosa Mar.
Hosts David Butler, left, and Jim Samples
Host Gay Lyons passing appetizers.
Kim Trent, the executive director of Knox Heritage, with coconut shrimp, a favorite snack in the early 1960s when "The Jetsons" were on TV.
Margaret Samples with a food popular in every decade -- pizza!
Guests Amanda Messer, left, and Katy Harp
Hosts Bill Pittman and Tina Rolen
Guest Tamera Easterday
Rosa Mar with the evening's special signature drink, "The Liftoff!"
Flat screen TVs were showing "The Jetsons," of course!
Here's host Sheena McCall.
On the name tag table were these little Jetson figures that belonged to hosts Deanene and Tom Catani. I wonder. . .
Host Milton McNally
Guests Michael and Judith Foltz really got into the spirit of the evening!
As did Beth Christensen!
The biggest problem with Erin's "Rosie" head? Difficult to drink!
Here's Angie Campbell's take on Jane Jetson.
My sweet husband, Alan, takes a turn at being George Jetson.
From left, Susan and Robert Hawthorne, Angie Campbell and Rosa Mar. Ha.
From left, Michael Foltz, Dan Chips, Pamela Chips and Judith Foltz
Caterer Holly Hambright, who managed to make a meal modeled after TV dinners actually be delicious! These colorful props were made by the Clarence Brown Theatre prop shop.
Futuristic centerpieces were appropriate.
Ben and Sara Hedstrom Pinnell enjoying their "Liftoffs."
Christi and Scott Branscom
Alan Carmichael happily in the buffet line.
The plates even had a "Jetsons" feel about them.
Alan's '60s era dinner. Yep. Salisbury steak!
Dinner high above Knoxville -- in Orbit City.
The view to the east. That's the Knoxville Convention Center at the bottom.
Nancy and David Goodson
Jeff and Julie Greene came in from Jefferson County for the festivities.
Hosts Gary and Julia Bentley drove in from Sequoyah Hills. Ha.
Look what dessert was served in! TV dinner containers! Cute. Dan and Pamela Chips were my models.
Two kinds of cobbler, brownies and ice cream sent my husband into an orbit of his own!
A great job by all the hosts pulling off a very unusual evening. Thanks!
Click the link below for a six-second video of our lovely parting gifts! (Scroll over the image and click the microphone icon if you’d like to turn on the sound.)
Moxley, thanks for coming — a good time was had by all, we hope!
Ellen: It was a scream! You all did a fantastic job! Ha!
This Summer Supper was so fun! I loved that so many people dressed up!
It was fun. Enjoyed the stares we got when we accompanied the “silver people” to Market Square afterward.
Yes, Alan, we were not the normal Tupelo Honey patrons that night. We were from Orbit City. Most of the others were from Farragut, I think!
Thanks to all for coming out & supporting Knox Heritage–and having fun, of course. Loved the costumes. Kudos to Margaret Samples for making all those space age collars for the hosts. Kudos to Holly for the amazing meal.
It was a great committee and we all had fun. Good thing you can’t smoke inside anymore–my Judy wig would have melted to my head in seconds!
Nora: You were a great Judy! You had her attitude down pat!
Thanks to everyone who worked so hard to pull this off!! The Summer Suppers are always different, and in interesting venues. This was no exception. Thanks also to all who supported it. Woooo-OOOOO!
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