Daily Connections: Your East Tennessee Guide | September 1

Here’s what’s happening around East Tennessee today, along with helpful community resources and interesting things to discover beyond our backyard.

Did you know? September gets its name from the Latin word for seven because it was once the seventh month of the early Roman calendar

Highlights

WDVX Blue Plate Special — noon–1 p.m., Visit Knoxville Visitors Center, 301 S. Gay St. James Margolis and Aaron Blake with Dave Eggar are scheduled for the free lunchtime performance.
Big Fun Tuesdays: Tie Dye and Trivia Party — 6–8:30 p.m., Mead’s Quarry. The rescheduled all-ages event includes tie-dye, Nature Nerd Trivia, an AMBC social ride and opportunities for paddling and swimming. The event is free, with donations accepted.
Knoxville Smokies vs. Chattanooga Lookouts — 7 p.m., Covenant Health Park. The Smokies open a home series against Chattanooga.
Tennessee volleyball vs. Illinois — 7 p.m., Food City Center. The Lady Vols host Illinois.

Visit Knoxville published 2026 Guide: The free 2026 Official Knoxville Visitors Guide is now available: Visitors Guide.

Looking for more to do? Here are upcoming events and activities across East Tennessee.

Ijams Nature Center: Ijams offers programs, activities, and events for all ages on a weekly basis, and almost every day. Check their Calendar of Events here.
Knoxville Public Library often has weekly story times, LEGO clubs, craft sessions, and teen gaming nights. Check their weekly calendar: Knox County Public Library
Muse Knoxville is an interactive children’s museum with daily sessions: Muse Knoxville
Outdoor Knoxville: A calendar produced by Legacy Parks Foundation has a comprehensive list of upcoming local outdoor events. Find it here.
Zoo Knoxville is open daily; special feeds/talks may have times posted onsite: Zoo Knoxville

Connect with local news: Follow breaking news, weather, and community updates from WBIR, WATE, and WVLT.
KCS Calendar: Stay informed with Knox County Schools calendar here.
Knoxville/Knox County Planning Commission: The Planning Commission meets the second Thursday of each month. Find agenda, minutes, and information here.
KUB Construction: Traffic advisories and construction-related impacts are communicated primarily through the online construction map.
Mayor’s Kickin’ It with Kincannon: City of Knoxville Mayor Indya Kincannon shares a monthly podcast Kickin’ It with Kincannon.
Weather: The latest weather forecasts from WBIR Weather.

Great Smoky Mountains Travel: Keep up to date on the TN/NC park Basic Information, Visitor Centers, Park Closures and Alerts, Parking Tags, Camping, Hiking, and general Visit Planning, all here.
TN Government meetings: Follow the latest here.
Tennessee Entertainment for All: The TN Vacation website links visitors to any region of Tennessee, featuring up-to-date venues and performances for all ages and preferences.
Tennessee State Parks lead us to the adventures of a lifetime: Tennessee State Parks
Tennessee Travel Information: As you make travel plans, get information on all travel issues across Tennessee, here.

National Preparedness Month — September encourages families, businesses and communities to plan ahead for emergencies and disasters.
Congress: See this week’s meetings in Weekly Review
Entertainment: Latest in Movies, Music, TV, Books, Arts, Design, Celebrities at Google Entertainment.
Science: Latest in Environment, Space, Physics, Genetics, and Wildlife, at Google Science.
Sports: Latest in NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, NCAA, Soccer, NASCAR, & more sports at Google Sports.
Stocks: Follow the stock market: Market Watch.
Supreme Court: Follow the decisions of the top court here

1939 – Germany invaded Poland, beginning World War II in Europe.
1972 – Bobby Fischer defeated Boris Spassky to become world chess champion.
1985 – A joint American-French expedition located the wreck of the RMS Titanic in the North Atlantic.

Did you know? Tennessee’s official state sport fish is the smallmouth bass.

Why did the calendar enjoy September? It was ready to turn over a new leaf.

Share an event: Know of a local event or resource we should include in Daily Connections? Email us at news@knoxtntoday.com.

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