It’s amazing that 500 people signed up to float down Beaver Creek on Saturday, May 30, 2026. In the rain. And virtually every one of them posted notes on social media celebrating the creek, the volunteers and the camaraderie of the event.

The blue shirts of Beaver Creek Kayak Club volunteers were everywhere, helping folks launch, hauling watercraft to dry land at the takeout and generally keeping everybody upright and heading west.

The flotilla started at Powell High Landing on Brickyard Road and ended at the Roy Arthur Stormwater Park, Harrell Road in Karns. This was the ninth annual flotilla, and it gets bigger every year.

Charlie Austin, president of the BCKC, presented custom-engraved paddles to three “creek crew” members of Knox County Parks & Rec. “Thank you guys for making the flotilla possible and for providing safe passage all season long for all of the community to enjoy,” Austin said to Eric Householder, Don Williams and Cody Cassell.

Cody wasn’t there to get his award. He was clearing a fallen tree from the previous night’s storms. See y’all next year!

Vandalism at Ijams??  Never mind.

My goof. The vandalism of the floating platform at Mead’s Quarry was a few  years back (2018, in fact). But I still support my conclusion so I’m rerunning it here:

There is no lower form of human detritus than those who vandalize what others have sacrificed time, labor and money to build.

Let’s make our parks, trails and creeks “No Knuckleheads” zones. Report problems to Ijams staff. Call the non-emergency number of the Sheriff’s Office (865-215-2243). Be alert.

I also like the story by Paul James about the history of Ijams Nature Center:

The lake was formed as a result of marble mining. Before the platform and swim ramp were installed, Mead’s Quarry was a dangerous place to swim because the lake is deep with limited shoreline – hard to get into; impossible to get out. Read Paul James’ story here.

Glass recycling and cleanup in the Old City

Keep Knoxville Beautiful, in partnership with Corona, invites all to a special glass recycling and litter cleanup event on Wednesday, June 10, from 4-6 p.m. in Knoxville’s Old City.

Ground zero is Barley’s Taproom and Pizzeria where Corona beer is $1 off for those who recycle glass or pick up litter. Supplies will be provided. Attendees are invited to stay for June Green Drinks, featuring networking and a presentation beginning at 6 p.m.

Notes & quotes

2026 Annual MLK Parade/March Juneteenth Celebration, parade lineup 8:30 a.m. Friday, June 19, step off 10 a.m. Chilhowee Park, Gate 13; Juneteenth Celebration, Dr. Walter Hardy Park, 2089 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave.

Blackberry Festival, sponsored by Powell Presbyterian Church, will be Saturday, June 27, 9-2 with a 5K race, a kids’ zone, food trucks, live music (noon til 2), vendors and more. Parking available at Powell Middle and Powell High schools with shuttle service to the festival.

Knox Girls Who Walk – a Saturday Audiobooks Walk at Morningside Park. Grab your headphones and current audiobook for a roughly 3-mile loop walk (with option to hop off after each one-mile loop. Saturday, June 20, 9 a.m. (walk starts at 9:15). RSVP here.

Inskip Lions Club invites potential members to learn more about the club on Monday, June 8, 5-7 p.m. at 4701 High School Road, beside Inskip School. Pizza and ice cream from the Rusty Wallace Ice Cream truck.

Quote: “I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived.” – Henry David Thoreau in Walden.

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