Outdoor KnoxFest Releases Full Schedule of Recreational Events

Outdoor KnoxFest, a three-day celebration of the recreation and sport opportunities available in Knoxville, takes place this weekend. Most events are free, but pre-registration is required except for the Get Out & Play activities.

Outdoor KnoxFest benefits the Legacy Parks Foundation. For more information visit OutdoorKnoxville.com.

Event Schedule:
Friday, April 19
6:30 pm Media Challenge at Outdoor Knoxville Adventure Center: Local media personalities test their skills at some of the dozens of outdoor activites taking place throughout the weekend.
5:00 - 7:00 pm Last Minute Registration: For those that wait until the last minute, here’s your chance to get signed up.

Saturday, April 20
9:00 am 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 will start at 9 a.m. from Outdoor Knoxville Adventure Center. A mechanic from Tennessee Valley Bikes will be at the registration table at 8 a.m. for bike checks. Pre-register by Thursday, April 18 for $25; day-of registration is $30. Register online at OutdoorKnoxville.com
9:00 am Urban Wilderness Trail Run — Knoxville Urban Wilderness: The Knoxville Track Club has charted a scenic and adventuresome 4-mile loop through Knoxville’s Urban Wilderness. Runners and walkers will start at Meads Quarry in Ijams Nature Center. Pre-register by Thursday, April 18 for $25; day-of registration is $30. Register online at OutdoorKnoxville.com.
10:00 am 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. Clinic is free but pre-registration is required. Register online at OutdoorKnoxville.com.
10:00 am Rock Climbing 101 Clinic — Outdoor Knoxville Adventure Center: Never tried climbing before? Or perhaps you have climbed before, but want to learn more of the technical details of roped climbing. The UT Outdoor Program will introduce the fundamental skills of rock climbing in a safe, supportive and fun environment. This clinic will focus on proper equipment and its use, belaying skills, knots and climbing technique. Includes all needed equipment. Clinic is free but pre-registration is required. Register online at OutdoorKnoxville.com.
11:00 a.m. - 4:00 pm Get Out and Play Activities — Outdoor Knoxville Adventure Center: Experience the fun of a stand up paddle board, test your skills walking a slack line or sample 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 necessary for hours of fun for everyone. FREE — Family friendly activities for all ages.
11:00 am Fly Fishing 101 — 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 choosing the right gear. Clinic is free but pre-registration is required. Register online at OutdoorKnoxville.com
11:00 am Urban Wilderness Hike — Knoxville Urban Wilderness: Explore the unusual natural and man-made structures at Meads and Ross Marble Quarry at Ijams Nature Center, the heart of Knoxville’s Urban Wilderness. Stephen Lyn Bales, naturalist at Ijams Nature Center, will lead the hike. Meet at Meads Quarry in Ijams Nature Center. Hike is free but pre-registration is required. Register online at OutdoorKnoxville.com.
12:00 pm “First Time in the Woods” Mountain Bike Ride — Knoxville Urban Wilderness: Beginner riders will follow experienced members of the Appalachian Mountain Bike Club and Tennessee Valley Bike Shop to learn important bike handling skills for navigating the trails in Knoxville’s Urban Wilderness. A bike check will be offered at 11:30. Bring your own bike, or we can supply one. Riders need to wear a helmet, have water and eye protection. Snacks are provided. Meet at Meads Quarry in Ijams Nature Center. Ride is free but pre-registration is required. Register online at OutdoorKnoxville.com
1:00 pm “Where’s the Trail?” South Knox 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 are provided. Meet at Meads Quarry in Ijams Nature Center. Ride is free but pre-registration is required. Register online at OutdoorKnoxville.com.
2:00 pm 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. Good time to fine tune your skills in prep for the Disc Golf Singles Tournament on Sunday! Clinic is free but pre-registration is required. Register online at OutdoorKnoxville.com.
2:00 pm 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 led by Missy Kane and TREK South. Civil War historian, Dr Joan Markel will share historical facts and features of the earthen forts within the Park. Meet at upper parking lot at Fort Dickerson Park, Chapman Highway entrance. Hike is free but pre-registration is required. Register online at OutdoorKnoxville.com.
3:00 pm Fly Fishing 101 — 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 choosing the right gear. Clinic is free but pre-registration is required. Register online at OutdoorKnoxville.com.
3:00 pm Bikes ‘N Blooms Scenic Bike 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 greenway to Ijams Nature Center before returning. This is a scenic 8-mile ride for everyone to enjoy and will be led by Tennessee Valley Bikes. Riders must wear helmets. Young riders must be skilled at on-road riding, suggested age is 8 and up. Ride is free but pre-registration is required. Register online at OutdoorKnoxville.com.
3:00 pm 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 2-3 groups according to fitness and skill levels, — no one gets left behind. Route will be 10-20 miles and is designed for proficient trail riders. This is a good prep ride for Sunday’s Mountain Bike Checkpoint Race. Bring bike, gear, snacks and water. Ride is free but pre-registration is required. Register online at OutdoorKnoxville.com
4:00 pm 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. Prizes awarded. Runs are free but pre-registration is required. Register online at OutdoorKnoxville.com.
4:00 pm 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
4:00-10:00 pm Twilight Criterium Road Race - Downtown/Depot & Gay Street: Spectators and competitors will thrill at the high intensity of this NASCAR-styled road race that is powered by legs and lungs — not gasoline! The sprint-style race features a short 1-kilometer (0.6 mile) course lapped over and over at speeds approaching 40 mph. Event is hosted by Knox Velo and Southern Cycling Operations bike clubs and is sanctioned by USA Cycling. Details online. Pre-register by Thursday, April 18 at $30; day-of registration is $35. Register online at OutdoorKnoxville.com.

Sunday, April 21
9:00 am Bike Maintenance Clinic on the Trail — Knoxville’s Urban Wilderness: Learn how to fix those on the trail mountain bike repairs. Mechanics from Fountain City Pedaler Bike Shop will teach 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 snacks and breakdowns. Meet at Meads Quarry in Ijams Nature Center. Clinic is free but pre-registration is required. Register online at OutdoorKnoxville.com.
11:00 a.m. - 4:00 pm Mountain Bike Checkpoint Race — Knoxville’s Urban Wilderness: Teams of two will race between checkpoints on South Knoxville’s trails, greenways and roads. Prepare for riding up to 40+ miles if attempting all checkpoints. Sponsored by Tennessee Valley Bikes and the Appalachian Mountain Bike Club. TVB will be providing maps and prizes! All ages and skills are welcome. Teams must have a reliable digital camera so they can document the checkpoints! Meet at Meads Quarry in Ijams Nature Center. Pre-register by Thursday, April 18 for $40/team; day-of registration is $50/team. Register online at OutdoorKnoxville.com.
2:00 pm 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. Meet at Morningside Park. Pre-register by Thursday, April 18 at $15; day-of registration is $20. Register online at OutdoorKnoxville.com
2:00 pm “Where’s the Trail?” North Knox 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. Be prepared for a steep climb to the trailhead at Sharp’s Ridge (walking your bike permitted). Bring bike, helmet, and water. Snacks are provided. Ride is free but pre-registration is required. Register online at OutdoorKnoxville.com.
2:00 pm Urban Wilderness Scramble — Knoxville’s Urban Wilderness: Scramble over the boulder fields and through the keyhole at Ross Marble Quarry, as you make your way to the old lime pit. Route will explore new trails with exceptional overviews. Discover the amazing diversity of Knoxville’s Urban Wilderness with Sarah Brobst, naturalist with Ijams Nature Center. Be prepared to get dirty! Meet at Meads Quarry in Ijams Nature Center. Hike is free but pre-registration is required. Register online at OutdoorKnoxville.com
2:00 pm 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.
3:00 pm Bikes ‘N Blooms Scenic Bike 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 neighborhoods in North Knoxville. This is a scenic 8-mile ride for everyone to enjoy and will be led by Tennessee Valley Bikes. Riders must wear helmets. Young riders must be skilled at on-road riding, suggested age is 8 and up. Ride is free but pre-registration is required. Register online at OutdoorKnoxville.com.

Outdoor KnoxFest benefits the Legacy Parks Foundation. For more information visit http://www.outdoorknoxville.com/.