The week begins with a special screening of the Movie Wild at the Regal Rivera in downtown Knoxville and ends with the opportunity to hear from Cheryl Strayed, the author of the memoir the movie is based upon, as the featured speaker at the annual Legacy Luncheon for the Parks. Those attending the movie will receive a pass for special offers and discounts from local merchants.
“Cheryl Strayed’s experience demonstrates the importance of providing natural spaces, and that is what Legacy Parks is all about,” said Carol Evans, Executive Director of Legacy Parks. “We are excited to have Cheryl here in Knoxville during this special anniversary year, and it give us a good reason to add these fun events – the movie and specials from our partners,” she added.
On Monday, September 7, Regal presents a special screening of Wild at the Riviera on Gay Street at 7 p.m. Tickets are on sale now and the $25 donation to Legacy Parks includes a drawing for door prizes from REI and two tickets to the Legacy Luncheon on Friday. In addition, everyone who attends the movie will receive a pass to use during the week for specials like $3 pints at Suttree’s Tavern or Scruffy City Hall, 20% off the Wild book at Union Avenue Books, and a chance for a $100 gift card at Mast General Store. Other food, drink, and merchandise specials are also included at REI, Trio Cafe, Preservation Pub, Central Flats and Taps, Bliss, and TN Valley Bikes.
The Legacy Luncheon for the Parks on Friday, September 11, features Cheryl Strayed as the keynote speaker. Strayed walked the Pacific Crest Trail alone at the age of 26 and the hike changed her life. Wild, her memoir of that trip, was a #1 New York Times Bestseller and was made into the 2014 movie starring Reese Witherspoon and Laura Dern, both of whom received Oscar nominations for their work. The annual luncheon is a major fundraiser for Legacy Parks and attracts 800 community and business leaders.
Tickets for both the movie screening and the luncheon are available now online at legacyparks.org. Funds raised at the luncheon help Legacy Parks continue the work to increase parks, create trails, access rivers, and position Knoxville as an outdoor recreation destination.
Legacy Parks Foundation, an East Tennessee nonprofit organization, works to ensure that our community enjoys exceptional recreational opportunities, natural beauty and open spaces, and that those assets exist for generations to come. We work collaboratively to preserve our area’s extraordinary natural resources and to expand recreation opportunities.