Boomsday Event in Knoxville

[Paladin132]

Howdy folks,

As some of you know I am from out of TN and have been working part time down here. I recently stumbled across this event (actually my better half, who is a PHD student did) and thought hey, that sounds like fun. Then, being a law abiding citizen couple we checked out the event rules...

No firearms, laser pointers, or weapons of any kind.

http://www.boomsday.org/event-info/

Just thought I would see what everyone thought of this and pass the word to

prevent any problems.

[RobertNashville]

I didn't read the entire link but it might be that this takes place in what is considered a city park and Knoxville may or may not have opted out of carry in its parks.

In any case, I wouldn't go to something like that where I couldn't carry.

[Jonnin]

Doh I read this thinking it was going to be a shooting event --- the name sounds like a kid's & guns teaching/fun event. No weapons of any kind --- that means you have to show up naked with your arms and legs cut off and no vehicle.... probably with your teeth knocked out for good measure... define weapon again?

[RobertNashville]

Doh I read this thinking it was going to be a shooting event --- the name sounds like a kid's & guns teaching/fun event. No weapons of any kind --- that means you have to show up naked with your arms and legs cut off and no vehicle.... probably with your teeth knocked out for good measure... define weapon again?

The "definition" depends on just who you are asking as well as the place, time of day and phase of the moon.

[peejman]

Just depends on where you go to watch it. It can be seen from well beyond the park boundaries. The music is broadcast over the radio. It's generally a very good show, though we haven't been in a couple years.

Parking is always an issue, I don't have any real good suggestions. In the past we've come up Chapman Hwy, parked where ever we could find a spot on the south side of the river and either watched from there or walked across the bridge to Neyland Drive. Several years ago we watched from the Women's Basketball HOF, as it's up high enough to see over most of the riverfront stuff.

[Oh Shoot]

The fireworks are on the railroad bridge this year, since the Henley Street Bridge is under construction. The railroad bridge is a couple hundred yards downriver from the Henley Bridge, but viewing locales should be about the same.

It's a helluva show, one of THE premier fireworks displays you'll ever see, used to be the biggest in US, maybe still is -- bring a radio, as it is coordinated to music (FM 102.1), and you generally can't hear the actual PA system well from most areas.

Knoxville is exempt from the TN park carry statute, but carry in city parks is prohibited by city ordinance (with no postings). The greenway along Neyland Drive is part of the park system.

One of the easy viewing areas is on the bank beside Neyland behind parking garage next to Thompson Boling arena -- all the property on that side of Neyland is university property.

I go maybe every third year, but I walk several miles from my place down Neyland, so can't help with any parking tips. Never have gone early to see any of the other happenings before the actual fireworks.

- OS

[Guest TnRebel]

it ant worth the drive from the tri-cities if a law abiding citizen can't carry .

[hornett22]

I don't like crowds and traffic so I don't go anymore. Been years ago and It IS a hell of a fireworks show.

[vontar]

Been once. that was enough, The traffic was bad enough trying to leave.

[Oh Shoot]

it ant worth the drive from the tri-cities if a law abiding citizen can't carry .

Well, you can go see the fireworks display while technically being completely legal carrying, you just have to stay off the park/greenway system and university property to do it.

- OS

[Lumber_Jack]

It's gonna be a wet evening anyhow. Good show, but not worth sitting in rain.

[Oh Shoot]

It's gonna be a wet evening anyhow. Good show, but not worth sitting in rain.

Actually, think I'll walk over there, wet or not, glad you posted, was thinking it was tomorrow night.

- OS

[Paladin132]

Glad you are going to enjoy it. For me I will avoid it, along with most things in Knoxville from here on out. I am rather sick of willful ignorance, among other things. I will spend my money outside the city as often as I can I think, as this is another example of that ignorance an the fifty cents I have to spend will buy a pack of gum elsewhere.

I am really frustrated with the atmosphere here as opposed to my home state, I thought things would be much more reasonable here.

[Lumber_Jack]

Actually, think I'll walk over there, wet or not, glad you posted, was thinking it was tomorrow night.

- OS

Yeah moved to Sunday to appease the parents with kids who complained about school on days after boomsday.

If lived close enough to walk I would be much more likely to attend. Enjoy

[Oh Shoot]

Yeah moved to Sunday to appease the parents with kids who complained about school on days after boomsday.

If lived close enough to walk I would be much more likely to attend. Enjoy

Well, it's 8 miles round trip, so I do pay some dues.

Anyway, it was impressive as always, only light sprinkle/drizzle all the way there and back.

Due to heavy wet air and slight breeze, the opening waterfall effect and barrage made huge smoke cloud that didn't dissipate very well and semi obscured the first five min viewing from the UT side of bridge.

Similar show to usual, Lee Westwood's Proud to Be An American, Tennesse Waltz, Rocky Top segments big hit, Dolly had a friggin' advertisement section for the new ride which I thought was rather gauche (they were projecting an eagle logo on smoke for first third of show too, explained by the new "Eagle" ride), but guess she paid for it. Climax always blows ya away, almost literally, wow.

- OS