Knoxville, Tenn. – Outdoor KnoxFest presented by Humana is a weekend for adventurers, outdoor enthusiasts, and nature lovers to celebrate outdoor recreation in Knoxville and its Urban Wilderness on April 24-26, 2015. Outdoor KnoxFest, produced by Legacy Parks Foundation, offers participants the opportunity to experience for free Knoxville’s amazing recreational amenities. Whether from a hiking trail, a bike path, or on the river, there are activities for every skill level, and an assortment of clinics and demonstrations provide the chance to learn something new.

“At Humana, we are passionate about improving community wellness and inspiring individuals and families to engage with their health through nutrition, exercise, and overall well-being,” said Barry Boster, Humana Tennessee Market Vice President. “The Outdoor KnoxFest offers residents an array of sports and outdoor adventures that demonstrate a healthy, active lifestyle does not necessarily require a gym.”

Several of the favorite events from previous years will be offered again, including a history hike at Ft. Dickerson, introductory mountain bike rides, wildflower hikes, and open paddles for trying a standup paddleboard, kayak, or canoe. Clinics will be presented on Introduction to Mountain Biking, GOPRO, Fly-Fishing, and Bicycle Maintenance.

“One of Legacy Parks’ objectives is to promote Knoxville as an outdoor recreation destination and encourage people to get out and experience all the incredible amenities we have – from the river to the Urban Wilderness and even our many miles of greenways,” said Carol Evans, Executive Director of Legacy Parks Foundation. “Most of the activities on the schedule now include options for three separate skill levels. Whether you are a beginner and just want to try a new activity, or you want a serious challenge, we have an event just for you,” she added.

New to Outdoor KnoxFest this year are:

  • A Friday night Bike Scavenger Hunt in conjunction with the Tennessee Bike

    Summit

  • Hike with Your Hound on Saturday, sponsored by PetSafe

  • The SweetWater Clean Sweep river clean up on Saturday afternoon. An army of volunteers in canoes, kayaks, and stand-up paddle boards will be on the river – with others on shore – to help clean up downtown Knoxville’s waterfront. Participants will be eligible to win a SweetWater paddleboard.

    The majority of events and equipment trials are free, though a few competitive events require a small fee. Registration is recommended for some events with limited equipment.

    Sponsors and event producers include 3 Rivers Angler, AMBC, Aubrey’s, Barley’s, Billy Lush Board Shop,CHOTA, City of Knoxville P&R, Dogwood Arts Festival, Humana, Ijams Nature Center,Keen, Knox County P & R, Knoxville Track Club, Mast General Store, McClung Museum, NewsTalk 98.7, Norris Paddling Adventures, PetSafe, Public House, REI, Shopper News, Sierra Club, Smoky Mountain Wheelmen, Sunspot, SweetWater Brewing Company, Three Rivers Market, TN Valley Bikes, Tour de Knox, Trek South, UTOP, WBIR, WIVK, and WNML.

    For more information and a list of activities and events, visit outdoorknoxville.com or legacyparks.org.

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    Legacy Parks Foundation, an East Tennessee non-profit 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 parks, trails, and greenways.