25th Anniversary of the 1982 Worlds Fair

Southern Graces to reopen Sunsphere (Knoxville News Sentinel, 04/13/07)

Southern Graces Catering & Events of Knoxville has signed a sublease for two floors within the Sunsphere, developers Brian Conley of Knoxville-based Cardinal Enterprises and Jon Kinsey of Chattanooga-based Kinsey Probasco Hays announced today.

Southern Graces plans to launch its Sunsphere operation in September. The “Café Floor” will be open to the public and serve lunch and snacks and provide bar service in the evening, Southern Graces president Bob Sukenik said in a statement.

The “Event Floor” will provide catering services for a variety of business and social events.

This is great news for Knoxville, as its most recognizable landmark will finally become functional again.  I can’t wait for my kids to be able to travel up into it and take a look out like I did, 25 years ago.

Also in today’s News Sentinel, columnist Sam Venable relates a story someone sent him about some long-ago World’s Fair souvenirs:

Because next month marks the silver anniversary of the 1982 World’s Fair, the following message from Bill Waldrop of Tellico Village is quite timely: 

“I have in my wine cellar (aka basement garage) a six-pack of World’s Fair beer I’ve been saving for a special occasion. Do you think it is significant that the cans have swollen into a profile shaped like Phil Fulmer?” 

This is funny because I think my dad still has a couple of 6-packs of World’s Fair beer stored in our basement.  I think we should take it out and open it on May 1st, and see what’s become of it.

Ick.

I am glad, however, than another media person recognizes the 25th Anniversary of the World’s Fair opening is less than 18 days away.

Creator’s plan may save Tennessee Amphitheater without breaking bank (Knoxville News Sentinel - 12/14/06)

In between the all-or-nothing options presented to Knoxville City Council last month, a more affordable fix now is being considered for the aging Tennessee Amphitheater at World’s Fair Park.

With some free assistance from local architect Doug McCarty, who designed the one-of-kind tent structure in 1980, city officials say the replacement of its rusting steel trusses could be enough to resurrect the site as a viable performance venue.

Council members reviewed four options at a November workshop, ranging from the most expensive option, a $3.4 million full renovation, to complete demolition for about $655,000.

…

The latest idea is to replace the four flawed trusses that support the main tent, along with a few smaller improvements to meet building codes, which could cost about $850,000, said Jeff Galyon, senior project manager for the Public Building Authority, which manages the site.

I think this is a great idea. If you’re going to spend a minimum of $655,000 to demolish the structure anyway, why not tack on the extra $200,000 and fix the part of the amphitheater that actually needs fixing?

It’s a shame almost a whole generation of people in Knoxville have never seen a show at theTennessee Amphitheater. I’ve actually performed there a few times, mostly when I was still at UT. It’s really a fun venue, although it can get a little dicey when storms start coming through (been there).

I once posted about watching Red Skelton perform there back during the World’s Fair - just today Brad Zinn, the Skelton impressionist that inspired that post, commented with some interesting information about Red Skelton. If you’re a Skelton fan, go back and read the post and read his comment.

Here are some shots we took of the Amphitheater during the Fair:

A performance at the Amphitheater during the Fair - either Up With People! or “Sing Tennessee” (the signature show)

The Tennessee Amphitheater flanked by the U.S. Pavilion. Note the skylifts that traveled from one end of the park to the other.