Dogwood Arts Festival: Springtime blooms in Knoxville
Knoxville may be known for its university’s athletics program, but come springtime, the city will be known for its natural beauty and art. The Dogwood Arts Festival showcases the beautiful pink and white blossoms of the dogwood trees and features various art forms at this yearly event.
Now in its 50th year, the festival marks each year the arrival of spring. With the peeling of layered clothing and the packing away of snow shovels and ice scrapers, the festival serves as an awakening of natural beauty and the arts. Dogwood trees sprout hues of pink and white, serving as a backdrop to the much anticipated event.
The festival, in partnership with some of Knoxville’s cultural institutions, will showcase the region’s best performing and visual artists. A mix of fine art, dance, theater, crafts, historic tours and Americana music, the festival will provide participants with a plethora of events and activities sure to keep them entertained during the April event.
The month-long event kicks off on April 2 with “Art in Public Places,” a world-class exhibition of large-scale outdoor sculptures located throughout downtown Knoxville. Up next, there’s a regional fine arts exhibition, student art show and a performance by the Knoxville Jazz Orchestra. At the Market Square Art Fair April 9-11, downtown Knoxville is transformed into a lively street fair with high-quality arts and crafts booths, demonstrations, entertainment and festive food.
April 16-18, “Rhythm ‘N Blooms” has visitors experiencing East Tennessee’s historical and present role in Americana music with performances by a who’s who of locally and nationally-known musicians. At the “Chalk Walk” April 17-18, downtown sidewalks become the canvas for professional and student artists during this street painting festival. The Dogwood Parade April 23 brings out hundreds to celebrate with marching bands, decorated floats and street performers.
Celebrate the 50th anniversary of the festival in the great outdoors. Grab your bike or put on your sneakers for the “Trails & Gardens” portion of the festival that explores more than 60 miles of trails, open gardens and historic homes. The “Dogwood Mile” April 23 features a family-friendly race through the streets of downtown. “Bikes and Blooms” April 24 keeps up the momentum with organized and self-guided bicycle tours.
For more information, visit the Dogwood Arts Festival website at www.dogwoodarts.com.
- by Leah M. Caudle , Knoxville Reporter for HelloMetro
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Leah M. Caudle Leah Caudle is a professional storyteller with experience in covering local, community and feature stories. While at newspapers such as The Tennessean in Nashville and The Lexington Herald-Leader in Lexington, Ky., Caudle also has experience in shooting and editing videos and photos to accompany stories. The Western Kentucky University graduate received degrees in print journalism and Spanish in 2007 and also has expertise in the areas of public relations, copy editing and proofreading.
