Events Open to the General Public

Visit this page to learn about public events scheduled at The Venue that support small businesses and local non-profits. Mark you calendars, buy your tickets (where applicable), and come out and support these worthwhile organizations!​ Click on photos/logos to learn more about each event, or to contact organizers.

Note: The Venue's calendar does not list private events. It includes only those events open to the general public (free and/or ticketed). Unless otherwise noted, The Venue is merely the host facility, not the organizer of the events.

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Smoky Mountain Service Dogs
"Night for Patriots"

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Fireside Festival for Children

The Bi-Annual Fireside Festival for Children is a free, family-friendly community event for children and their families. In addition, a Gift Tree raffle will generate proceeds to benefit "Autism Awards," a new, local, nonprofit organization that provides families and individuals with autism the things they need to learn, prosper, and make life a little easier while navigating the challenges of living with autism. So our goal is to make the event itself “sensory friendly” as well.

The Venue is reaching out to businesses, community organizations, civic clubs, and church groups to sponsor crafting and gaming stations, Gift Tree items, and event costs. Our last Fireside Festival attracted roughly 600 children and families from our community. Since we were unable to hold the event in 2020 or 2021 due to COVID, we anticipate an even larger crowd this year!
 
Where do you come in? Here is what we need:

1. Organizations to “own” youth crafting and gaming stations – supply NEAT crafting projects  or simple games and volunteers to man the station and assist the children. Please avoid any crafts/games that involve glitter, glue, or extensive curing time. Projects should be quick and easy (stickers, ornaments, Santa letters, drawing/coloring, face painting, etc.). We need to know as soon as possible if you’d like to own a station and what craft/game you’ll plan to coordinate in order to avoid duplicate booths. We will supply tables and chairs. NOTE: We already have cookie decorating covered.
2. Organizations to donate items for the gift – items can include gift cards, Christmas décor, retail goods, services, etc.. We just ask that each item has a value of $25 or more and be delivered to The Venue by Friday, December 9th.
3. Organizations to donate community sponsorships – seeking several community sponsorships of $250 each to help offset costs of the event. Any funds received over and above actual costs will benefit the nonprofit partner.

What will you receive in return? Other than the warm-fuzzy feelings that come with seeing hundreds of smiling children and knowing you are supporting families with Autistic children, station sponsors and donors will receive:

1. Promotion of your organization’s involvement on our website and social media platforms.
2. Inclusion in our e-newsletter (with a link to your website or Facebook page), which is distributed to over 1,700 subscribers.
3. Signage the night of the event. 

Interested in participating as a vendor or sponsor as decribed above? Register ONLY AT THIS LINK (to avoid scammers): https://tinyurl.com/FiresideFestival​

Participating Organizations (as of 8/24)

Event Co-Presenters
Music in Motion DJ & Lighting
​Santa Gary

Goodwill Sponsors
ARI Agency Inc.
Smoky Moutain Realty

Craft/Game Booths
Aqua Clear Water Systems
Smoky Mountain Realty
Loudon High School Culinary Arts
Lenoir City Family Resource Center
​Pilot Club of Lenoir City
Knoxville TVA Employees Credit Union

Gift Tree Donors
ARI Agency Inc.
Fishing with Bo
Smoky Mountain Realty

Proceeds from Raffle Tree benefit the nonprofit, "Autism Awards."