KNOXVILLE, TN (April 14, 2026) – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Visit Knoxville is pleased to announce that Slippery Stairs will come to Knoxville as part of Open Streets Knoxville, taking place May 17, 2026. From 2–6 PM, Open Streets Knoxville, presented by Bike Walk Knoxville, returns for an exciting afternoon of car-free streets, community connection, and active fun, allowing visitors and residents alike to experience Gay Street like never before as it opens up to people instead of cars, from Summit Hill Drive to Hill Avenue, and extending across the Gay Street Bridge.

Open Streets Knoxville transforms urban streets into vibrant public spaces by temporarily detouring motor vehicles and bringing community members together with local businesses and organizations. Designed for people of all ages and abilities, Open Streets creates a safe, fun, and family-friendly environment to walk, bike, dance, and enjoy a variety of activities. Unlike a traditional street festival, Open Streets Knoxville invites residents to explore their neighborhoods and support local businesses on foot or by bike. The event encourages the use of active transportation and healthy living, inviting residents to reimagine our streets as welcoming, people-centered public spaces. Vendors interested in participating in Open Streets can apply here: https://forms.gle/Q8zw1r2trMdEh7kq8

Slippery Stairs is a fun, comedic game show competition where contestants attempt to climb a set of stairs covered in water, soap, or lubricant. Often featured on ESPN8: The Ocho, the goal is to reach the top and ring a bell while enduring falling, sliding down, and sometimes being hit with more lubricant by others.

Slippery Stairs is looking for 24 TV friendly contestants who are enthusiastic, athletic, fun-spirited, and ready to embody fun at the event. The show seeks 12 adult contestants who are age 17+ (6 males/6 females) and 12 kid contestants anywhere between 7 – 12 years old (6 boys/6 girls). Those interested in being a Slippery Stairs Contestant please email Info@aimsports.tv.

For more information on Slippery Stairs, go here: https://www.slipperystairs.com/

For more information on Open Streets Knoxville, go here: https://www.bwknox.org/openstreets

“We are so excited to bring Slippery Stairs for the first time to Knoxville,” said Kim Bumpas, President of Visit Knoxville. “Open Streets is already an incredible initiative, and this will only enhance the fun experience for attendees and will showcase Knoxville on a national level through the show.”

“We’re thrilled to continue our partnership with Visit Knoxville with this May’s Open Streets event that will include Slippery Stairs,” said Lindsey Kimble, Executive Director of Bike Walk Knoxville. “We invite everyone in the community to join us to see our streets become a space for connection.”

Road Closures and Parking Information

Gay Street from Summit Hill to Wall Avenue (in front of the Visit Knoxville Visitors Center) will be closed on Friday, May 15 at noon until Sunday, May 17 at midnight.

Gay Street from Wall Avenue to the Gay Street Bridge will be closed on May 17 until the event concludes at 6PM.

The Gay Street Bridge remains open to pedestrian and bicycle traffic during the event.

Market Square Garage will be able to be accessed by Walnut Street during this closure.

ABOUT VISIT KNOXVILLE

Visit Knoxville (Knoxville Convention and Visitors Bureau) is the official CVB for the City of Knoxville and Knox County. Visit Knoxville is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, private company that works together with the community, business leaders, and local and state government to further develop Knoxville as a premier leisure, meetings, and travel destination. Tourism is the second highest grossing industry in the state of Tennessee. Knoxville/Knox County annually produces over $2 billion in travel spending. Visit Knoxville is also home to the VK Sports Commission, the VK Film Office, the Sunsphere Welcome Center & Observation Deck, and the Visitors Center at 301 S. Gay Street. For more information, go to visitknoxville.com and follow on Facebook and Instagram.

ABOUT BIKE WALK KNOXVILLE

Bike Walk Knoxville works to make the Knoxville region a better place to bike and walk for people of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds. We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit serving as the active transportation subject matter expert to the Knoxville region. Our signature annual events include Tour de Lights and Open Streets Knoxville. To learn more, visit bwknox.org and follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

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Kristen Combs
Director of Communications
Visit Knoxville
865.306.4341
kcombs@knoxville.org