Fountain City business leaders want to host a Christmas Parade, but it’s far from a done deal. Members of the Fountain City Business and Professional Association met last week with representatives of the Knoxville Police Department, city council member Lauren Rider, and Rider’s opponent in the Nov. 2 election, Jim Klonaris.
Sharon C. Jennings, who hosted the meeting at Priority Financial Solutions, next door to Chop House, said Monday a follow-up meeting has not been set, but she wants to have it soon. “I hope other people that want to get involved will join us.”
When that meeting is set, we’ll update this story to reflect the time and place.
Most community parades are held outside the city. Organizers deal with an elected sheriff who generally sends K-9s, motorcycles, confiscated drug cars, helicopters and a cadre of volunteer officers who guard cross streets to keep everybody safe.
Last week, the city of Knoxville had three representatives present: Lt. Tammy DeBow, traffic services coordinator for KPD; Sgt. Brian Bumpus, traffic division; and Kyndra Brewer, director of the city’s Office of Special Events. Brewer is Fountain City’s go-to contact for the parade.
KPD is unwilling to close Broadway. Bumpus suggested an alternate route: Start at Central High School, taking Rosebay Road to Essary to Lynnwood and disbanding on Lynnwood. He said a teenager was injured in the most recent Fountain City Parade – 2016. The parade has traditionally formed at the Party City shopping center, marched down Broadway and disbanded at Central Baptist Church.
DeBow said staffing is a concern. KPD is on 12-hour shifts because of officer shortages. “People will work the (Covenant Health Knoxville) Marathon on their days off.”
Jennings said, “We’re asking for one hour,” but DeBow countered that it would take officers two to two-and-a-half hours to shut everything down. “You’re talking about 80 officers to manage ingress and egress” for businesses that would remain open, said Bumpus.
Mark Enix suggested perhaps staging at Gresham Middle School and marching down hotel to Fountain City Park. “You set a route and we’ll tell you” (if it’s possible), said Bumpus.
Rider mentioned the city’s Open Streets events that make streets accessible to pedestrians, suggesting the possibility of closing Hotel Avenue for festivities. And Klonaris mentioned Greek Fest. “We have 20,000 people … work with other churches for parking.” He suggested Fountain City might want to invent a new tradition.
Candidates’ forum
The primary winners for Knoxville City Council have been invited to speak at the Wednesday, Oct. 13, meeting of the Fountain City BPA. It’s at noon at Beaver Brook Country Club. It’s open to the public and the buffet lunch is $14. There are two candidates from each of five districts, but in this election, all city voters can vote in each race. Matchups are: Tommy Smith vs Elizabeth Murphy; Andrew Roberto vs Kim Smith; Seema Singh vs Nick Ciparro; Lauren Rider vs Jim Klonaris; and Gwen McKenzie vs Garrett Holt.
Boo Fest Concert
Fountain City Park will host the community from 3-8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 30, with vendor booths and food trucks. KnoxTNToday.com is sponsoring a concert with the Ducktown Mission Band starting at 5 p.m. Vendors should contact Penny Kleinschmidt here.
Sandra Clark is editor/CEO of Knox TN Today.