Check the score on Covenant Health Park’s Tennessee-shaped score board. | Photo via @rachel_kuykendall
The Knoxville Smokies are swinging back home this week. The team will be playing a six-game series starting Tuesday, Aug. 19 through Sunday, Aug. 24, against the Montgomery Biscuits.
The homestead takes place at Covenant Health Park — the team’s new home base that opened in April. Fans can also expect to see promos + giveaways across the games, including these highlights:
Thursday, Aug. 21 — Celebrate the Tennessee Titans on Titans Night, the first 500 fans receive a free mini football.
Friday, Aug. 22 — Stick around for post-game fireworks.
Saturday, Aug. 23 — It’s Tennessee Night with themed food, drinks, music, and post-game fireworks. The first 2,000 fans also receive a Dylan Sampson bobblehead giveaway.
Asked
Asked
What do you like most about Covenant Health Park?
A. Its location in downtown Knoxville B. It brings the Smokies back to Knoxville C. The capacity for 6,300+ fans D. The Tennessee-shaped scoreboard
Back to School Bingo for Books | 6-7:30 p.m. | Burlington Branch Library | Free | Play the classic ball game and fill your board B4 anyone else to win books.
Tuesday, August 19
Books and Brews Bookclub | 7 p.m. | Hi-Wire Brewing Knoxville | Free | Grab a drink and mingle with fellow bookworms — this session will discuss “Bride” by Ali Hazelwood.
Hotline TNT | 8 p.m. | Pilot Light | $15+ | The experimental, New York-founded band brings their alt rock sounds to the local stage.
Alice Cooper | 7:30 p.m. | Tennessee Theatre | $176+ | Rock out like school’s out as “The Godfather of Shock Rock” performs.
Thursday, August 21
Concerts on the Square: 7 Bridges | 7-9 p.m. | Market Square | Free | Celebrate the music of the Eagles with this band that pays homage to the rock legends.
Covenant Health Park is preparing to trade its baseball diamond for a stage — at least for one night. The stadium will host the Knoxville Music Festival, its first-ever concert, on Saturday, Oct. 18. Tickets are now on sale for the show featuring Boosie, Cupid, Pokie Bear, Tabu, and Lakeside. (WBIR)
Read
The University of Tennessee at Knoxville will soon be at your inbox. Knox News is launching its UT-focused newsletter“The T” on Wednesday, Aug. 19. The weekly newsletter aims to help students, alumni, and parents stay alert of current events and happenings on the UT campus. (Knox News)
Phew, mugginess is on the rise across parts of the US. In Knoxville, 74% of the days in June + July were considered muggy due to their high humidity. If you’re looking for ways to cool off, we recommend taking a dip at one of these pools.
Outdoors
50 minutes. That’s how much daylight will be lost in Knoxville during the month of August as the sun progressively rises later and sets earlier. We recommend taking advantage of the daylight while you have it by hitting a local trail. (AccuWeather)
Listen
Do you feel like popular music has been a summer bummer recently? The lack of upbeat hits has resulted in many people deeming 2025 a year without a song of the summer. Luckily, Knoxville has many upcoming concerts that will give us something to listen to in the fall. (CNN)
Tech
What’s that sound? Dial-up’s final rings. AOL announced it will discontinue its dial-up services on Tuesday, Sept. 30, after three decades. Help bring any users up to speed by connecting them to 865today when they get a new provider. (NPR)
Mansion Monday
Head through the curved driveway and new blue stone porch to explore this Old Westmoreland home. The house features four bedrooms and four bathrooms with designer touches throughout. Then bask in the sun in the spacious sunroom or while taking a dip in the inground pool.
Community
Navigating Market Street in Clinton has recently gotten trickier as crews repair sewer and water lines — but stores are still open. WBIR reporter Emily Crabtree explores how to traverse the road + sidewalk closures, and why it might be worth it for a scoop of The Chunky Monkey ice cream. (WBIR)
Sports
How will coach Josh Heupel’s quarterback + center picks impact UT? Hear from the local experts on the Tennessee Volunteers with Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.
Do you prefer your eggs scrambled or sunny-side up? | Photo via South Made Marketing
When we raise a glass, we hope it’s filled with a mimosa. Knoxville has a whole bunch of brunch options, including these spots that are perfect for celebrating special occasions.
Editor’s note: All times listed are brunch-only.
Café 4 | Saturday + Sunday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Celebrate life’s memorable moments with a punch bowl to split with friends and family before ordering cinnamon rolls, short rib and eggs, and Belgian waffles.
The Plaid Apron | Wednesday-Sunday, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
Local ingredients are the star at this long-standing favorite, whether you’re craving steak and eggs, almond cakes, or a salad. Pro tip: Cinnamon rolls go fast.
STIR | Saturday + Sunday, 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
Don’t miss the Filet Oscar Benedict with crab and a petite filet. Plus, no trip to STIR is complete without ordering a cocktail made with the restaurant’s signature artisanal ice.
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.
Last week, Goo Goo Cluster opened a store in Gatlinburg, the company’s first location outside of Nashville. While the new shop is a little over an hour outside of Knoxville, I recommend visiting if you get the chance. I once built my own candy creation at the Nashville store, and it was so much fun.
