General Information

What:  The 40^th Anniversary of the 1982 World’s Fair Kick-off Celebration will be held on Saturday, May 21 on the World’s Fair Park Performance Lawn in conjunction with the Children’s Festival of Reading on the Festival Lawn.

Activities include the following:

• Cultural and technology displays and exhibits
• Performances at the World’s Fair Amphitheater
• Makers Market with local vendors and crafters
• A Ferris wheel and Arcade Truck
• Food trucks and beer including:
  • Petro’s, Buddy’s Bar-B-Q, CJ’s Taco’s Enjoy Latin Food, Big O’s Famous BBQ, Alebrijes Mexican Food, Smoky Mountain Kona Ice, Mucho Gusto, Captain Muchacho’s, Kazoku Hibachi Express, Treetop Coffee Shop, Denton’s, Rainbo Shaved Ice & Funnel Cakes, Orale Mexican Food Truck and Waffley Good
• 40^th Anniversary merchandise
• The evening will close with a brief fireworks display programmed to ‘80s music

Time and Place:

10:00am – 9:00pm – Performance Lawn
10:00am – 5:00pm – Festival Lawn

Admission: Free! Nominal fees for food, beverage, and games.

Entertainment Schedule

Entertainment Stage (on the Performance Lawn)

Tennessee Amphitheatre (presented by TVA)

Sunsphere Information

The 4^th floor observation deck of the Sunsphere is a paid attraction operated by Visit Knoxville – and the only floor open to the public. It features a 1982 World’s Fair timeline, gallery, memorabilia, interactive touchscreens and a gift shop.

Access is provided at the base of the Sunsphere. Admission is $5 for adults; FREE for children 12 and under with a paying adult. Your ticket reserves a 30-minute time block with a 40-person maximum per time block. Proceeds benefit The Sunsphere Fund.

On Saturday, May 21, the Sunsphere will open at 10am. The last time block available to reserve will be 6:30pm.

Tickets can be purchased in advance at sunspheretickets.com

What Should I Bring with Me?

• Sunscreen
• Hats
• Walking shoes
• Refillable water bottle
• Credit Card ONLY for beer purchases
• Cash and credit card for other purchases

What Should I Leave at Home?

• Motorized vehicles or scooters (unless necessary for persons with disabilities)
• Picnic supplies or coolers
• Outside food/beverage or alcohol
• Skateboards, bicycles, skates, skate shoes
• Tents, canopies
• Firearms, laser pointing devices or weapons of any kind
• Remote-controlled vehicles or aircrafts, including drones
• Stickers
• No soliciting   
• No unauthorized vendors will be allowed

All attendees and their bags/belonging are subject to search and prohibited items will be removed at the discretion of security staff.

First Aid

First Aid Stations will be located on the Performance Lawn and near the security building on the Festival Lawn.

Road Closures

Saturday, May 21

• 7:00am – 10:00pm – World’s Fair Park Drive between Grand Avenue and Clinch Avenue
• 9:00am – 10:00pm – Clinch Avenue just past entrance to Knoxville Convention Center to 11^th Street

Parking & Transportation

• Parking is provided free on weekends in several Downtown Parking Garages
• Downtown Knoxville is serviced by a free trolley system. You can find the route map here.

Visit www.worldsfairknoxville.com for more information and continuing event updates.