Outdoor KnoxFest is a three-day urban adventure for people of all ages and skill levels to experience Knoxville from a bicycle seat, paddle board, canoe, trail, climbing wall and more. Teaming with the Dogwood Arts Festival, Outdoor KnoxFest will be Friday, April 19 through Sunday, April 21, 2013 and will benefit Legacy Parks Foundation. The Outdoor Knoxville Adventure Center at Knoxville’s Volunteer Landing will be the hub for this year’s mix of outdoor recreational venues that encourages people of all ages and levels of experience to participate. From guided trail rides, runs, hikes and paddles, the festival showcases Knoxville’s outdoor amenities with a special spotlight on the Urban Wilderness, a 1,000-acre urban playground only minutes from downtown. The event is produced by Legacy Parks Foundation, a Knoxville-based non-profit actively working to make East Tennessee a recreational destination of the Southeast. For details and event schedule, please visit OutdoorKnoxville.com. Many of the events are free, however, registration is required for all events except Saturday’s Get Out & Play.
Schedule of Events
FRIDAY, APRIL 19
4-6:30pm Media Challenge at Outdoor Knoxville Adventure Center
SATURDAY, APRIL 20
9:00am Pickel Road Rides – Outdoor Knoxville Adventure Center
The Smoky Mountain Wheelmen Bike Club will host a ride through the scenic backroads of East Tennessee ride with the option of 20, 40, and 60 mile routes. The ride honors Harry Pickel who is fondly remembered for his friendly greetings to all that journeyed by his store, the H & H Service Mart on Thorngrove Pike, (circa 1895). All rides start at 9am from the Outdoor Knoxville Adventure Center. Pre-register by Thursday, April 18 for $25; day-of registration is $30. Register online at OutdoorKnoxville.com
9:00am Urban Wilderness Trail Run – Knoxville Urban Wilderness
The Knoxville Track Club has charted a scenic and adventuresome course through Knoxville’s Urban Wilderness beginning at Ijams Nature Center. Runners and walkers can choose from a 4 or 8-mile loop.
Pre-register by Thursday, April 18 for $25; day-of registration is $30. Register online at OutdoorKnoxville.com
10:00am Bike Maintenance Clinic – Outdoor Knoxville Adventure Center
Enjoy coffee and bagels as the folks at Tennessee Valley Bikes demonstrate maintenance skills and tips for keeping your bikes in good working condition on the road or trail. Event is sponsored by the Appalachian Mountain Bike Club and will start at 10 am at the Out- door Knoxville Adventure Center.
Clinic is free but pre-registration is required. Register online at OutdoorKnoxville.com
11:00 – 4pm Get Out and Play Activities – Outdoor Knoxville Adventure Center
Experience the fun of a stand-up paddle boat, test your skills walking a slack line or try dozens of other outdoor activities for all ages. River Sports Outfitters, YMCA and the University of Tennessee’s Outdoor Program have teamed up to provide all the equipment nec- essary for hours of fun for everyone.
FREE
11:00am Fly Fishing Clinic – Outdoor Knoxville Adventure Center
Tackle a few of the basic fly fishing skills as the experts at 3 Rivers Angler share their techniques on casting fundamentals and choos- ing the right gear.
Clinic is free but pre-registration is required. Register online at OutdoorKnoxville.com
11:00am Urban Wilderness Hike – Ijams Nature Center
Explore the unusual rock formations, marble quarry, and quiet trails of Ijams Nature Center in the heart of Knoxville’s Urban Wilder- ness lead by an Ijams’ Naturalist.
Hike is free but pre-registration is required. Register online at OutdoorKnoxville.com
12:00pm “First Time in the Woods” Mountain Bike Ride – Knoxville Urban Wilderness
Beginner riders will follow an experienced member of the Appalachian Mountain Bike Club to learn important bike handling skills for navigating the trails in Knoxville’s Urban Wilderness. Bring your own bike, or we can supply one, helmet, water and eye protection. Snacks provided.
Ride is free but pre-registration is required. Register online at OutdoorKnoxville.com
1:00pm “Where’s the Trail?” Mountain Bike Ride – Outdoor Knoxville Adventure Center
Discover the impressive trail system just across the river from the heart of downtown in Knoxville’s Urban Wilderness. Riders will learn how to safely commute to the trailhead at Meads Quarry and then break into 2 groups for a 7-14 mile trail ride before heading back. Bring bike, helmet, and water. Snacks provided.
Ride is free but pre-registration is required. Register online at OutdoorKnoxville.com
2:00pm Disc Golf Clinic – Outdoor Knoxville Adventure Center
Learn the necessary skills and techniques of this competitive sport from members of the Knoxville Disc Golf Club.
Clinic is free but pre-registration is required. Register online at OutdoorKnoxville.com
2:00pm Urban Wilderness Hike – Fort Dickerson Park
Discover one of the best-preserved earthen forts from the Civil War era that rests on a knob just across the river from downtown! The exploration at Ft Dickerson Park will be lead by one of Ijams Nature Center naturalist.
Hike is free but pre-registration is required. Register online at OutdoorKnoxville.com
3:00pm Fly Fishing Clinic – Outdoor Knoxville Adventure Center
Tackle a few of the basic fly fishing skills as the experts at 3 Rivers Angler share their techniques on casting fundamentals and choos- ing the right gear.
Clinic is free but pre-registration is required. Register online at OutdoorKnoxville.com
3:00pm Bikes ‘N Blooms Scenic Ride- Outdoor Knoxville Adventure Center
Observe the beauty of the Dogwood Trails from the seat of a bicycle as you ride from the Outdoor Knoxville Adventure Center to the colorful gardens that frame Island Home Boulevard. Riders will enjoy river views and tranquil forests as they continue on the green- way to Ijams Nature Center before returning. This scenic 8-mile ride is for the whole family to enjoy.
Ride is free but pre-registration is required. Register online at OutdoorKnoxville.com
4:00pm “Get on the Greenway “ Runs – Outdoor Knoxville Adventure Center
Take a sprint along the scenic Neyland Greenway located behind the Outdoor Knoxville Adventure Center. The Knoxville Track Club will host 2 events — the 1-mile Kids Fun Run course takes the younger sprinters out to the splash fountains at Volunteer Landing Park while the 5K participants continue on to Tyson Park before returning.
Runs are free but pre-registration is required. Register online at OutdoorKnoxville.com
4:00pm Group Paddle on the River – Outdoor Knoxville Adventure Center
Delight in the beauty of Knoxville’s waterfront on a guided paddle that skirts the shoreline of the Tennessee River. The UT Outdoor Program and the City of Knoxville will be providing the boats and gear.
Paddle is free but pre-registration is required. Register online at OutdoorKnoxville.com
6:00pm Bike Maintenance Clinic – Tennessee Valley Bikes
Learn how to keep your bike in good working condition, change a flat and make minor repairs on the road or trail from expert bike mechanics at Tennessee Valley Bikes. Wine and cheese will supplement the maintenance skills learned at this evening bike clinic. Event is sponsored by the Appalachian Mountain Bike Club and will start at 6pm at Tennessee Valley Bikes.
Clinic is free but pre-registration is required. Register online at OutdoorKnoxville.com
SUNDAY, APRIL 21
9:00am Bike Maintenance Clinic on the Trail – Knoxville’s Urban Wilderness
Learn how to fix those on the trail mountain bike repairs. This course teaches you how to do crucial in the woods wrenching to get you back on two wheels and on with your ride. Bring your bike, gear and water. The Appalachian Mountain Bike Club will provide snack and breakdowns.
Clinic is free but pre-registration is required. Register online at OutdoorKnoxville.com
11-2:00pm Mountain Bike Scavenger Hunt – Knoxville’s Urban Wilderness
Beat the clock in this 3-hour Scavenger Hunt! Riders will race to designated checkpoints, snap a picture and scurry back to the start finish in the required time. Sponsored by the Appalachian Mountain Bike Club, the race will start at Meads Quarry.
Pre-register by Thursday, April 18 for $25; day-of registration is $30. Register online at OutdoorKnoxville.com.
2:00pm Sunday Singles Disc Golf Tournament – Morningside Park
New and experienced players can compete in the Singles Tournament that will be held on the newly designed 18-hole course at Morningside Park. Players may want to take the Saturday Disc Golf Clinic for some expert tips from experienced members of the Knoxville Disc Golf Club.
Pre-register by Thursday, April 18 at $25; day-of registration is $30. Register online at OutdoorKnoxville.com
2:00pm “Where’s the Trail?” Mountain Bike Ride – Outdoor Knoxville Adventure Center
Discover Knoxville’s newest singletrack trail on the forested slopes of Sharp’s Ridge Memorial Park, just north of downtown. Learn the safest route to the trails then join the Appalachian Mountain Bike Club on a ride through the woods before returning. Bring bike, helmet, and water. Snacks provided.
Ride is free but pre-registration is required. Register online at OutdoorKnoxville.com
2:00pm Urban Wilderness Hike – Knoxville’s Urban Wilderness
Enjoy a guided walk with Ijams Nature Center through the boulder fields at Ross Marble Quarry. Hike is free but pre-registration is required. Register online at OutdoorKnoxville.com
2:00pm Group Paddle on the River – Outdoor Knoxville Adventure Center
Delight in the beauty of Knoxville’s waterfront on a guided paddle that skirts the shoreline of the Tennessee River. The UT Outdoor Program and the City of Knoxville will be providing the boats and gear.
Paddle is free but pre-registration is required. Register online at OutdoorKnoxville.com
3:00pm Bikes ‘N Blooms Scenic Ride – Outdoor Knoxville Adventure Center
Spring is a wonderful time to be on a bicycle to behold the colorful displays of our native dogwood trees that line our boulevards and gardens. Leaving the Outdoor Knoxville Adventure Center, riders will ride through downtown and loop through historic neighbor- hoods in North Knoxville. This scenic 8-mile ride is fun for the whole family.
Ride is free but pre-registration is required. Register online at OutdoorKnoxville.com.
3:00pm Advanced Mountain Bike Ride – Knoxville’s Urban Wilderness
Experience the more challenging side of the Urban Wilderness with leaders from the Appalachian Mountain Bike Club as they tackle the more technical sections of the Urban Wilderness Trail system. Riders will break into 3 groups according to fitness and skill levels, — no one gets dropped. Route will be 10-20 miles and is designed for proficient trail riders. Bring bike, snacks and water.
Ride is free but pre-registration is required. Register online at OutdoorKnoxville.com
Register here to win this KONA Hei Hei Deluxe! The bike will be given away at the end of the Clips of Faith event.
