Try gin that’s been fat-washed with Duke’s mayo in this peachy, tomato-y cocktail at Otsu. | Photo via Otsu!
Hot Tomato Summer is so back. The annual celebration of Duke’s Mayonnaise and tomatoes has returned to Knoxville for the second year, happening now through Sunday, July 27.
How it works
Now in its fifth year overall, the Duke’s Mayo event encourages local restaurants to get creative with tomato + mayonnaise-themed specials. The public then votes to help determine the winner of the coveted Golden Tomato Award. See last year’s winners.
Knoxville Specials
A total of nine local spots are participating in this year’s event — these are some we’re most looking forward to.
Maple Hall (last year’s Golden Tomato winner) | Fried Green Tomatoes: Fresh green tomatoes breaded with hush puppy cornmeal + served with a tangy southwestern aioli for dipping.
Small Comforts Kitchen | Tomato-Pesto Focaccia Sandwich: Heirloom tomatoes, arugula, pesto, Duke’s mayo, and Benton’s bacon on a gluten-free focaccia sandwich.
Otsu! | Miso Honey Veg Skewer: Miso honey-glazed veggie skewer with cherry tomatoes, eggplant, and shishito pepper served with a Duke’s yuzu and sansho pepper dipping sauce.
Date Night Scratch Made Pasta | 6-9 p.m. | The Cutting Edge Classroom | $225 | Together with your date, create (and eat) a meal featuring dishes like angel hair carbonara, focaccia, and lemon ricotta almond cake — ticket price is for one couple.
“Hamlet, Prince of Denmark” | 7:30-9:30 p.m. | Ijams Nature Center | $15 | Good news: Parking + tickets for children under 15 are both free at this outdoor performance of the popular Shakespearean play.
Saturday, July 19
Dog Days of Summer | 10 a.m.-8 p.m. | Painted Tree Boutiques | Free+ | Bring the pup for this pet-friendly shopping event featuring live music, sales, and treats for Fido.
Movie in the Cave | 12 p.m. | Cherokee Caverns | $15 | Wander deep into the earth for a 20th anniversary screening of “The Descent.”
PlantFest | 12-6 p.m. | Marble City Market | Cost of purchase | Plants are taking over the bar and patio with a build-your-own spiked lemonade bar, botanical vendors + a painting pot activity.
Sunday, July 20
Christmas in July | Sunday, July 20-Saturday, July 26 | Times vary | Kern’s Food Hall | Cost of purchase | Monday Night Brewing’s week of holiday fun begins this Sunday with a Christmas puzzle showdown at 3 p.m.
Shark Week Sunday | 11 a.m.-10 p.m. | Yee-Haw Brewing Co. | Cost of purchase | Dive into Shark Week with “Jaws” Jumbotron watch parties, shrimp po’ boys, and specialty cocktails.
Plan Ahead
Boot Scootin’ Boogie Nights: “LET’S GO GIRLS” | Friday, July 25 | 8 p.m. | The Mill & Mine | $16+ | Grab your girls and hit the dance floor to party to country classics of the ‘90s.
Timothée Chalamet loves the Vols? In a photo from a recent Instagram carousel, Chalamet dons the iconic orange-and-white checkered overalls UTK fans often sport on game days — and followers noticed, too. “See you in Knox this fall brother,” commented @rockytoprecruiting.
Announced
A new nighttime attraction is headed to Zoo Knoxville this fall. The 360-degree immersive music and lights show is set to premiere in the Timber Loop in November. (WATE)
Coming Soon
Mimosas, a new comfort food restaurant with breakfast, lunch, and dinner, is headed to South Knoxville. The Kennedy Concepts spot is set to open in October on the ground level of student apartment complex The Davy. (Knox News)
History
Did you know that McDonald’s apple pie originated here in East Tennessee? Eric Cochran — who currently owns nine Knoxville McDonald’s locations — shared that his grandparents are responsible for creating the original recipe for the chain’s famous fried apple pie. (WBIR)
Open
A new Irish pub is now welcoming Guinness fans in Farragut. Dullahan’s Irish Pub serves up dishes like bangers and mash + fish and chips along with its drinks and “the occasional impromptu Irish ditty sing-along,” according to co-owner William Camp. (Knox News)
Traffic
Don’t forget:I-275 will be shut down again this weekend. The interstate will be closed in both directions from Friday, July 18 at 7 p.m. through Monday, July 21 at 6 a.m. (WATE)
Real estate
A new built-to-rent housing development is now open in North Knoxville. Alden North Knoxville currently features 100+ new homes with fenced yards, private garages, and community amenities designed for renters who want more space and privacy without having to own. (WBIR)
Eat
WBIR’s Brittany Bailey has exciting news — Brittany’s Bites is back. The cooking segment will air on WBIR+ and feature some of her favorite recipes and recipes shared by the community.
UTK Football is underrated right now. Hear why from the local experts on the Tennessee Volunteers with Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.
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Helping you save on bills, bills, bills
Did you know that the City of Knoxville has installed solar panels at the Convention Center, Knox Area Transit terminal, and Chilhowee Park and Exposition Center? | Photo via City of Knoxville
If you haven’t checked Knoxville’s forecast recently, allow us to summarize: It’s hot, and our AC bills are climbing.
Today, we’re digging into ways locals can keep summer energy bills financially (and environmentally) friendly.
Water usage
Sure, you can take shorter showers — but we’ve got a few additional ideas:
If you drop an ice cube, don’t kick it under the fridge; give it to that new plant you just bought at PlantFest or Stanley’s Greenhouse.
Explore KUB’s Water Savers program, which helps eligible customers manage water and wastewater costs.
Electricity + AC
TVA offers a free DIY Home Energy Assessment to learn more about your home’s energy use — once you take the quiz, you’ll get a free energy-saving kit with LED light bulbs, insulating socket sealers, and more.
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.
My late grandmother (known by her family members as “Rannie”) was the biggest fan of ice cream I’ve ever met. Had a pint at lunch? That just meant there was plenty of time to make room for more by dinnertime.
All of this to say, I’ll be celebrating National Ice Cream Day in her honor this Sunday. Join me and check out local deals at spots like Scoopsville Creamery.
^This content was created by our Client Success Team. Let’s work together — explore affordable advertising options at advertise.6amcity.com.
