What/Who is Knoxville Famous For--Other Than The World's Fair? (Oak Ridge: crime, home)

[itsajourney]

I visited Knoxville way back when your city was hosting the World's Fair. Was that 1982? That's what is stuck in my head, but I don't recall for sure.

What else is Knoxville famous for? or..What famous person or celebrity is from Knoxville?

What's your claim to fame????

[weisgarber1]

Originally Posted by itsajourney

I visited Knoxville way back when your city was hosting the World's Fair. Was that 1982? That's what is stuck in my head, but I don't recall for sure.

What else is Knoxville famous for? or..What famous person or celebrity is from Knoxville?

What's your claim to fame????

No real claim to fame, imo. Odd question. Why would there need to be?

[NJDevil]

it has the women's basketball hall of fame; famous for UT football and the 7- or 8-time womens b-ball champions. You can google to find out famous people from here. Dolly Parton is from this area. There really isn't a lot in Knoxville to warrant a vacation - they send everyone over to Pigeon Forge & the Smokies. In my opinion you have to live here a while to find the secret treasures and little hideaways. It either grows on you or it doesn't!

It's not an odd question at all.

[JMT]

Originally Posted by itsajourney

I visited Knoxville way back when your city was hosting the World's Fair. Was that 1982? That's what is stuck in my head, but I don't recall for sure.

What else is Knoxville famous for? or..What famous person or celebrity is from Knoxville?

What's your claim to fame????

Last time I was in France I was stunned/saddened to learn that people know Knoxville because of Johnny Knoxville.

[kamoshika]

City of Knoxville - Famous Knoxvillians

[hiknapster]

I don't know if you would say "famous" for but we do have two renowned events.

The Rossini Festival.

The Knoxville Opera

The Dogwood Festival.

Dogwood Arts Festival

[William Sold]

Hmmmm, I'd have to say Kenny Chesney, Quentin Tarantino, Dolly Parton, Johnny Knoxville, David Keith, and Peyton Manning are all our most celebrated celebrities. Some aren't exactly from within the Knox city limits, or only went to school here, but have a strong tie to the area.

I think our Boomsday is one the best fireworks shows in the country, Neyland Stadium is the second largest football stadium and very well known, the Smoky Mountains and Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge are normally associated with Knoxville. Those would have to be my choices.

[hiknapster]

Originally Posted by William Sold

Hmmmm, I'd have to say Kenny Chesney, Quentin Tarantino, Dolly Parton, Johnny Knoxville, David Keith, and Peyton Manning are all our most celebrated celebrities. Some aren't exactly from within the Knox city limits, or only went to school here, but have a strong tie to the area.

I think our Boomsday is one the best fireworks shows in the country, Neyland Stadium is the second largest football stadium and very well known, the Smoky Mountains and Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge are normally associated with Knoxville. Those would have to be my choices.

Oh, yeah! Boomsday! It's the largest Labor Day fireworks display!

Boomsday - A Labor Day Weekend Event in Knoxville with A Spectacular Fireworks Display

You're going to get yelled at by Weisgarber. Apparently, Neyland is the second largest, anymore.

[knoxgarden]

We do have claims to fame outside of pop culture.
Knoxville has the University of Tennessee.
Author James Agee is from Knoxville. His book, Death in the Family, is set in Knoxville.
Cormac McCarthy, who won the Pulitzer for The Road, is from Knoxville and still visits from time to time.
Clarence Brown, an early film director, studied at the University of Tennessee and the theater there is named for him.
Clarence Brown - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Knoxville is the headquarters of TVA: Tennessee Valley Authority. It's a federal program that brought electricity to rural areas as well as flood control. It was a very important part of Roosevelt's New Deal.
TVA: From the New Deal to a New Century
Knoxville is the home of the Body Farm -- Forensic Anthropology Center, the first of its kind. Dr. Bass, its creator, is the pioneer in the field.
Jefferson Bass - The Official Website
Law Enforcement from all over come to Knoxville to train.

[William Sold]

Knoxville is the home of the Body Farm -- Forensic Anthropology Center, the first of its kind. Dr. Bass, its creator, is the pioneer in the field.
Jefferson Bass - The Official Website

Good call on Dr. Bass, he is a pioneer in his field. I always see him/program on the Discovery Channel and History Channel in detective/crime shows. Also of note, as a leader in his field, Jack Hanna, the animal expert, was raised in Knoxville.

TVA for sure, and also Oak Ridge ia commonly known worldwide for all their nuclear clout.