Kid Stuff ; Free Fun for Families in Knoxville, TN

Orange rules in Knoxville, home of the University of Tennessee, the Tennessee Vols Basketball and Football teams. Famous Knoxvillians include Kenny Chesney, Johnny Knoxville, Peyton Manning, Quentin Tarantino, Dave Thomas ( founder of Wendy's) ,Mountain Dew and from 'just down the road a piece ' Dolly Parton. Located 2 hours from Nashville and 30 minutes from the Great Smoky Mountain National Park don't be surprised if a movie or music video is being filmed around the city during your visit. Or you might find yourself standing in line next to Sara Evans waiting for ice cream or David Keith shopping at Market Square Farmer's Market. While Knoxville has expensive restaurants and a great nightlife, there is plenty to do around town that won't cost you a dime. Here are some of my favorites.

WDVX Radio host a free concert daily at noon , Monday - Saturday at their station located inside the Knoxville Visitor's Center on the corner of Gay Street and Summit Hill Drive. The 2nd Saturday of each moth WDVX host families, kids and kids at heart with their live Kids Stuff Show at 10 a.m. Check out the weekly schedule or listen to some real great music at www.wdvx.com Just around the corner from the station is Market Square and home to Market Square Farmer's Market one of the finest farmer's markets in the country featuring over 150 vendors. Every Wednesday and Saturday the square and side streets close to the square fill with farmers, craftsmen, artistic, bakers, butchers , musicians and food trucks turning Market Square into a free fun festival. The market is open Wednesdays 11-2 and Saturdays 9 - 2 from May until November. Thursday nights in April through June, there are free Jazz concerts on the square July through August the Tennessee Stage Company host Shakespeare on the Square starting at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights. Bring a chair or a blanket. Where else can you see Shakespeare for free? Knox County Public Library host free movies on Market Square, from September through October. Bring a blanket, some popcorn and a drink and enjoy a family movie outdoors. Check out their weekly schedule at www.knoxcounty.org/library . Also check out their weekly events schedule that offers activities

for kids ranging from magic shows to crafts. Ijams Nature Center is a jewel for families in Knoxville and surrounding counties. Located at 2915 Island Home Road, in South Knoxville , the Center offers 12 miles of trails, an environmental learning center , a 150 acre wildlife sanctuary with paved walkways and a waterfront boardwalk. Saturdays Ijams features Creature Features throughout the day in the summer, giving kids a look up close with some of the animals and birds that inhabit the area. The third Saturday of each month during the summer , they hold a family friendly drum circle. Visit their web page at www.ijams.org or like them on Facebook. No matter what time of the year there is always something happening in Knoxville, Tennessee and Around Our Southern Home and Garden.