Powell is the little engine that could, can and continues to chug – the town of Farragut without the sales tax and paid staff; the Chamber of Commerce without the fancy titles. In fact, Powell has no paid staff and no public source of income.
Powell Station Celebration is the economic engine that drives most year-round projects, anchored by the PBPA (the Powell Business and Professional Association whose president is Capt. Jeff Bagwell of Rural Metro Fire).
Enhance Powell, chaired by Michael Laverdure, owner of Knuckle Busters Auto, coordinates Powell Station Celebration, which has grown from a simple car show to a splendid 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. event to be held this year on Saturday, August 12, at Powell Station Park and Powell High School. (Note: Enhance Powell is also known as the beautification committee of PBPA, rebranded by Justin Bailey, an early chair.) Reach Mike at 865-964-3402.
Tennessee Valley Mustang Club sponsors the Travis Wegener Memorial Car Show at the high school. Dr. Don Wegener says there will be anywhere from 40 to 100 cars there, depending on the weather. What, ponies don’t run in the rain?
Why should you attend?
- Cars (free admission; T-shirts for sale; info: https://www.tnvalleymustang.com/twmcs)
- Neighbors.
- Lunch (hamburgers and hot dogs grilled onsite with Mama Cindy’s special chili)
- Vendors (call or text Jeff Bagwell at 865-719-2653)
- Kids Zone (sponsored by Dr. Jessica Phillips of East TN Pediatric Dentistry. Free to all kids. Playground area of Powell Station Park).
- Corn Hole Tournament (Entry $10 per person; prizes for first, second and third. Skatepark area)
- Dog Show (led by Jeanette Barnes. Dress up your pup and compete. Entry fee $5 per dog. Prizes for biggest, smallest, most talented, unique, oldest, best dressed, trickiest, prettiest and best in show. Parking lot by disc golf course entrance)
Sign up here for events with fees.
Note: Powell Business & Professional Association will meet at noon today (8/8/23) at Jubilee Banquet Facility, off Callahan Road, with Jimmy Hyams talking Tennessee football. Buffet lunch is $16 for all attendees.
Oops! Almost forgot. What has PBPA, Enhance Powell and the Travis Wegener Memorial Car Show accomplished with funds raised? With help from Legacy Parks Foundation and special gifts from neighbors, we have created:
- Powell Station Park, extending from the splashpad to Beaver Creek
- Adult outdoor exercise equipment coming soon along the greenway/sidewalk
- Powell High Landing with the Aubrey’s Launch on Brickyard Road
We can’t claim credit, but we love these projects:
Collier Preserve, built by Legacy Parks after a generous land donation by Dr. Bob and Louise Collier.
Angora Frog Farm, a park for little kids with BIG imaginations, on land donated by Arvin and Sabra Brown. A Legacy Parks project, the trail is in with play structures coming soon.
Powell Sports Courts: A project of Knox County Parks & Rec to install outdoor basketball, tennis and pickleball courts on county-owned property behind Powell Middle School. Steven Goodpaster is the shepherd.
Sandra Clark is editor/CEO of Knox TN Today Inc.