We’re loading our ‘dogs up with something sweet, savory, and steamed. | Photo by Caleb Oquendo
If you’re channeling your inner Jennifer Coolidge today and jonesing for a hot dog, we’re presenting our Knoxville-style dog, aka the “Don’t Knox It ‘Til You Try It.”
Because if Chicago and Seattle each get their own signature recipe, we say Knoxville should too.
Every good dog starts with great buns, hon. We’re going for a sweet + salty combination by using a sugary Honey Bun from Tennessee-based Little Debbie, “The Official Snack Cake of the 1982 World’s Fair.”
Now for the frank. We’ll try our hand at grilling up mettwurst, the nostalgic Knoxville sausage you could once get at the Old College Inn and was traditionally served with white beans. We’re never ones to skimp on flavor, so let’s add a slice of Benton’s country ham with our sausage.
When it comes to toppings, you can’t beat a scoop of Petro’s chili. We’re skipping the chips this time and adding the chili right on top of the mett — cheese is optional, but of course we’ll opt in.
You may have strong opinions on whether a hot dog is a sandwich, but we’ll take ours steamed, hoagie-style.
Asked
Asked
Let’s settle this once and for all. Is a hot dog a sandwich?
A. Sure, why not? B. No. What is wrong with you? C. No — it’s a taco. D. It’s something else.
41st Annual Independence Day Concert | 8 p.m. | World’s Fair Park Amphitheater | Free | Music Director Aram Demirjian will lead the KSO in this free, family-friendly concert as part of the City of Knoxville’s holiday celebration.
4th Annual July 4th Celebration | 8-10 p.m. | The Sunsphere | $75 | Experience a private viewing of the city’s spectacular fireworks show featuring a buffet of summer classics, ice cream dessert station, and DJ tunes.
Fourth of July on Mabry’s Hill | 5-10 p.m. | Mabry-Hazen House | $15+ | Bring lawn chairs to chill on the hill with live music + local food vendors, and head inside for self-guided museum tours.
Knoxville Smokies Independence Day Celebration | 7 p.m. | Covenant Health Park | $26+ | Watch the Smokies dominate the Rocket City Trash Pandas + take in a new post-game fireworks show launched from the roof of the stadium.
Saturday, July 5
A Salute to Heroes at the Knoxville Smokies | 5 p.m. | Covenant Health Park | $60+ | The $60 package gets you game tickets, a t-shirt and custom event decal, a snow cones, and $10 to use on merch, food, or drinks.
Sunday, July 6
Make a Toad House | 2-4 p.m. | Hi-Wire Brewing | $63 | Use clay slabs to create your own pottery toad house for the garden.
Phenomenal Fireflies | 9-10:30 p.m. | Ijams Nature Center | $15 | Explore Ijams’ trails as they light up with the glow of fireflies.
Monday, July 7
Zoo Knoxville Zoomobile | 10:30-11:30 a.m. | Howard Pinkston Branch Library | Free | This edition of the Summer Library Challenge will feature a conservation story and special animal guests (we hear there may be turtles).
After a year of closure for renovations, Augusta Quarry has reopened to the public. New to the quarry at Fort Dickerson Park are floating docks, bathrooms and changing rooms, an outdoor shower, float rentals, and a concession stand. (WBIR)
Coming Soon
Two more Swig dirty soda shops are headed to the Knoxville area. The increasingly popular Utah-based drive-thru announced new locations for West Hills at 7122 Kingston Pike + Oak Ridge at 854 Main St. Opening dates are TBD, but we’ll be on the lookout. (Knox News)
Open
Disco Chicken and Donuts — formerly operating as a food truck called “The Donut Theory” — will open its Kern’s Food Hall location today for the holiday weekend, with a grand opening celebration scheduled for next Friday, July 11. The restaurant will serve up 100% gluten-free fried chicken tenders + handcrafted donuts. (WATE)
Civic
Don’t let Independence Day get you down in the dumps; City of Knoxville garbage and recyclable collections will run a regular schedule today. Note that the City’s Solid Waste Facility, however, will be closed today and tomorrow, resuming normal business hours on Monday, July 7.
Traffic
TDOT announced that multiple bridges in the state have reopened for the first time since Hurricane Helene. Elizabethton’s State Route 67 Broad Street Bridge + Greene County’s Earnest Bridge on Chuckey Pike are among the reopened bridges. (WBIR)
Pets
Fireworks and celebrations can be fun for people, but scary for pets. The Young-Williams Animal Center has tips for keeping your animals safe during the celebrations today, including keeping them indoors + distracting them with toys.
Kids
In case you missed it, downtown Knoxville’s “Where’s Waldo?” scavenger hunt is back. Visit any of the participating locations during July to pick up your Waldo Passport and collect a store stamp for each Waldo sighting — if you get 20+ stamps, you can register to win prizes.
Legacy
Charles “Charlie” Tombras II, former president of locally based ad agency Tombras, died earlier this week at 83 years old. Under Charlie’s 50-year leadership, Tombras grew from a small local business to a regional name with major clients. Today, Tombras is internationally known. (Knox News)
Sports
UTK football had an impressive recruiting haul. Hear recruiting insights from the local experts on the Tennessee Volunteers with Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.
Community
Yesterday’s view from Douglas Lake was beautiful — shout out to WBIR’s Cassie Nall for sharing a photo.
Category
Try This
A pool tool that’s swimply the best
Rent a pool set in the middle of six acres and surrounded by horses, goats, chickens, and a rooster. | Photo via Swimply
Swimply — it’s like Airbnb for private pools. Whether you’re looking to beat the Tennessee heat or just make the most of summer, we’ve rounded up five ready-to-rent pools that are bound to suit your swimming style.
Country oasis
$18+ per hour | 10 guests max | Kid-friendly
If you’re up for a trip to Heiskell, you’ll be rewarded with a saltwater pool surrounded by acreage. Say hi to the neighboring horses while you take a dip.
H2 OH! Pool
$50+ per hour | 30 guests max | Kid-friendly
Kids will enjoy the small water slide, adults will enjoy the multiple shaded seating areas — both will enjoy the pool.
Pool + hot tub with pool house
$60+ per hour | 40 guests max | Kid-friendly
Enjoy mountain views while lounging in this spacious pool with a small waterfall and in-pool seating + umbrellas. You’ll also get access to the pool house, outdoor kitchen, and fire pit.
Games
The fun doesn’t have to end here. After reading the newsletter, head over to our games page. Games refresh with new challenges every day at 6 a.m. from crossword puzzle to Sudoku to themed word search.
Admittedly, I’ll be swapping out all of my weiners (or mettwursts) for a vegan variety today. I know, I know — insert that meme about vegans always finding a way to tell you that they’re vegan.
If you’re also curious about a meat-free frankfurter, you can replace any hot dog on the menu at Curious Hotdogs & Sandwiches with a falafel dog.
