You may have heard about the upcoming Strawberry Moon, June’s full moon so named by Native Americans because its appearance marked the time to pick ripe strawberries. Last year’s Strawberry Moon coincided with the summer solstice, a rare pairing. You can learn a lot about the Strawberry Moon in this great NASA article.
This year’s Strawberry Moon officially rises in the wee hours on Monday, June 17, but the moon will seem full before and after the event – from Saturday night through Tuesday morning. That has inspired several outdoor activities designed to give locals a beautiful view.
On Saturday night, you can ride your bike in the moonlight in the Summer Vibes Cades Cove Women’s Moonlight Ride, organized by the Liv Together Lady Shredders and Harpers Bike Shop.
On Sunday and Monday nights, Billy Lush Boards & Brew will host a Full Moon Paddle, touring Knoxville by the light of the moon. And on Monday, there’ll be a Full Moon Paddle at The Cove at Concord Park, letting the moon light the way along the shores of Fort Loudoun Lake. (Headlamps and kayak lights are also recommended!)
There’s an iffy forecast for the next few days, with clouds and rain likely in the picture, but fingers crossed, we’ll get a break and be able to view this awesome lunar sight. And as the NASA post says, “the wearing of suitably celebratory celestial attire is encouraged …”
Learn more about the Strawberry Moon excursions and other events – like the “unleaSHEd: Women’s Adventure Fest” Friday-Sunday, June 21-23 – in our Outdoor Knoxville calendar.
Carol Evans is executive director of Legacy Parks Foundation, a nonprofit devoted to ensuring that our community enjoys exceptional recreational opportunities, natural beauty and open spaces, and that those assets exist for generations to come.