Construction on the Sunsphere broke ground in 1980. | Photo via the United States Department of Commerce
In case you haven’t seen, nostalgia is in right now. But instead of joining the internet in looking back 10 years, we’re going to do you one better and jump even farther back in time — to 1982.
Fire up the flux capacitor, we’re headed to the World’s Fair.
It was also the South’s first World’s Fair — and the rest of the nation wasn’t sure we could pull it off. Especially the Wall Street Journal. In an article titled “What If You Gave a World’s Fair And Nobody Came?” reporter Susan Harrigan described Knoxville as “a scruffy little city of 180,000 on the Tennessee River.”
Rude.
Knoxville looked a little different in 1982.
Photo by Gary Lee Todd, Ph.D., CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
The “scruffy” name sticks
World’s Fair organizers and city officials could have brushed the comment off. But instead, they embraced it. They even made souvenirs that bragged, “The Scruffy Little City Did It!”
And indeed, it did. Over 11 million people came to Knoxville for the fair.
Former Knox County leader Tommy Schumpert has died at 87. Schumpert, who acted as county executive (a position now called mayor) from 1994-2002 has a long legacy in East Tennessee, including as the namesake of Tommy Schumpert Park. (WBIR)
Weather
Eyes on the skies, Knoxville. Weather reports predict a coating of snow tonight, with best estimates ranging between 0.1 and 0.3 inches. (AccuWeather)
Edu
Roane State Community College’s new health care training facility opens to students next Tuesday. The 130,000-sqft Knox Regional Health Science Education Center will train 8,000+ students annually and contains a full hospital wing, ambulance bay, and virtual reality space. (WATE 6)
Transit
Metropolis Technologies, the company that operates several parking lots and garages downtown, will offer a 15-minute grace period for license-plate reader lots as part of a recent settlement with the state. The company will also expand a free parking credit program + refund some residents. (WATE 6)
Opening
Welcome back, Wild Wing Cafe. After nearly five years of closure, the restaurant will reopen at 11335 Campbell Lakes Dr. at 4 p.m. today. (WVLT)
Coming Soon
This 5-month-old viral avalanche rescue dog-in-training won’t quite be ready for the slopes in Northern Italy this time around, but could be a hero in four years’ time. The 2026 Winter Olympics start in 18 days — make sure you’re subscribed to keep up with all the Knoxville-relevant happenings.
Sports
What’s the update on the Titans’ hunt for a new head coach? Hint: Josh Harbaugh might not be in the cards. Hear from the local experts on the Tennessee Titans with Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.
Have a sprained ankle after a competitive pickleball match? Or, is that old knee injury flaring up? Tennesseans dealing with orthopedic issues have access to immediate care without the ER wait at TOA Orthopedic Urgent Care. Walk-in access, same-day appointments + extended hours are available to accommodate your schedule. Find the location closest to you.*
Strap on your cowboy boots, because country line dancing is making a comeback. If you’re hoping to join the fun, Cotton Eyed Joe offers free line dancing lessons on Thursdays (Ladies’ Night) + Sundays (College Night) from 7:30 to 9 p.m.
Is now the part where I confess that even though I’m a born-and-raised Texan, I’ve never line danced in my life? Maybe you’ll see me there.
