A Weekend of Wings is underway Aug. 13-16, 2026, at Ijams Nature Center in South Knoxville. And we don’t mean dippin’ and eatin’ wings. It’s a family-friendly outing with three major events:
Ijams Hummingbird Festival: A Celebration of Wings presented by Wild Birds Unlimited Knoxville; Saturday, August 15, 7 a.m.-1 p.m.; Ijams homesite, 2915 Island Home Ave., Knoxville; ticketed event. Information here.
The outdoor festival features art and science activities for all ages, speakers, live animal encounters, guided nature walks, education tables, community science opportunities, hands-on sessions and a marketplace of vendors. Certified master bander Mark Armstrong will demonstrate to small groups how ruby-throated hummingbirds and other birds are captured, examined and released, and discuss why banding is important. Bird banding sessions are not included with general admission.
Communion: A Projected Hummingbird Experience: Ijams Nature Center and Lauren Strohacker present this avian art exhibition on Friday, August 14, 8-10 p.m.; ticketed event; Ijams homesite. Information here.
This twilight art installation is designed to conjure an otherworldly encounter with the hummingbirds of Southern Appalachia. Projected larger than life, these charismatic subjects will be suspended in looping, slow-motion, animated sequences that capture intimate states such as frantic flight, feeding, rest and the eerie stillness of torpor (their deep nocturnal hibernation). Eight hummingbird projections will transform portions of the Serendipity and Discovery Trails at the Ijams Homesite into an immersive gathering space.
Ruby Rhapsody Flower Show: Sunday, August 16, 12:30-3:30 p.m. Ijams Nature Center Visitor Center; a floral design and horticulture show presented by local garden clubs, free event.
The Council of Flower Show Judges invites the public to the Ruby Rhapsody Flower Show, and event celebrating hummingbirds, other pollinators, and their favorite blooms. The petite floral designs with hummingbird themes are part of a National Garden Club Flower Show honoring the ruby-throated hummingbird.
First concert Saturday at Music in the Grove
Timberwinds Bluegrass
We wrote about the Karns Community Club building an outdoor venue for musical productions here. Well, the first show is Saturday, August 15, 7:30 p.m. with the Timberwinds. The concert is free. Bring your lawnchair. Organizers suggest parking at the Karns Elementary School and walking over to the event next door. Kington Drain Cleaning Specialists is presenting sponsor. All details are here.
Master Gardeners in August
Plants for the Watershed: Guided Nature Walk at Collier Preserve, 316 W Emory Road, Powell; Saturday, August 15, 9 a.m. Free and open to all. Overflow parking at Powell branch library.
Advice at Farm Markets
- Dixie Lee Farm Market, Saturday mornings through October at Renaissance, 12748 Kingston Pike, Farragut.
- Ebenezer Farm Market, third Tuesday afternoons through November, Ebenezer UMC, 1001 Ebenezer Rd, Knoxville.
- Tellico Village Farm Market, Wednesday mornings through October, 202 Chota Road, Loudon.
TN Smart Yards and Friends Festival
- UT Gardens, 2518 Jacob Drive, Knoxville, Saturday, September 12, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Details to follow.
Knoxville Botanical Garden & Arboretum:
- Visitors Center: 2743 Wimpole Ave, Knoxville. Events meet at various locations throughout the garden. Some have a charge, others are free. Details and registration here.
Got Gardening Questions?
- Master Gardeners are available to answer your home gardening questions. Contact one by phone (leave a voicemail at 865-215-3554), via email (KCMGAMG@gmail.com you can attach your gardening photos), or drop by an information table at farm markets or special events.
Notes & quotes
Touch a Truck Saturday, August 15, 2026, West Town Mall, Penney’s parking lot. 10 a.m. -2 p.m. Benefits Kiwanis Fresh Air Camp.
Grow Oak Ridge is sponsoring Pick Your Own Bouquet in the garden, 1051 Oak Ridge Turnpike, Saturday, August 15, 9-11 a.m.
Cars for Canines will be Saturday, August 22, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. EST at Melton Lake Park. Sponsored by Explore Oak Ridge, the classic car show will benefit Oak Ridge Animal Shelter and Anderson County Humane Society. Food trucks, live entertainment, low-cost microchipping and rabies vaccinations. Free admission for spectators. Pets on leashes or in carriers welcomed. Info here.
Battlefield Farm and the One Five Market, both organized by Pastor Chris Battle, need love and support. Info here.
Farragut Band Boosters yard sale will be Saturday, August 15, 2026, from 8 a.m. until noon at Farragut High School. Info on donations: kristin.ricciuto@farragutband.org/.
Outdoor Knoxville lists hundreds of activities, many free, all outdoors.
Quote: We’re constantly being bombarded by problems that we face and sometimes we can get completely overwhelmed. [But] we should always feel like a hummingbird. I may feel insignificant, but I don’t want to be like the other animals watching the planet go down the drain. I’ll be a hummingbird, I’ll do the best I can. — Wangari Maathai, PhD, native of Kenya, winner of the 2004 Nobel Peace Prize.
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Sandra Clark compiles obituary links and writes daily at KnoxTNToday – the Let’s Talk series includes topics of law, neighbors, schools, leaders and outdoors. Enjoyed this article? Read more Let’s Talk – Outdoors by Sandra Clark.
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