KNOX COUNTY, Tenn. (Story courtesy of WVLT) – The Tennessee Valley Fair’s future at Chilhowee Park is uncertain, as the city may decide as soon as next year that the park will no longer be available for the event. East Tennessee lawmakers are now working to find a long-term solution.
The fair has held its end-of-summer event at Chilhowee Park for more than a century.
“We’re not really sure what the plans are for this park,” said Abby Villas, marketing director for the Tennessee Valley Fair. “We’d love to be included to see what’s exactly going on with the future.”
State Rep. Dave Wright and State Sen. Becky Massey are working to assemble a board to explore a year-round agriculture space in East Knox County. Keeping the fair operational is described as one of the driving forces behind the effort.
“We’re very excited to hear about the potential of that State Rep. Dave Wright and State Sen. Becky Massey” Villas said. “We think that would be absolutely wonderful.”
Villas said the fair sees the proposal as an investment in the region’s agricultural future.
“That’s our future. The future farmers, the people who will be involved in the future of Ag so I think it would be really great for our community to have,” she said.
The effort is still in its early stages. Knox County Commissioner Adam Thompson, who represents Corryton and East Knox County, said the facility would be a benefit to both the county and the broader region. He adds agriculture is a major economic driver in Knox County.
