The second annual Visit Knoxville and United Way Greater Knoxville Block Party will be held downtown on Thursday, Sept. 10, from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. on Market Square.
The community is invited to the free event, which will kick off the 2026 fundraising campaign and will include live music, giveaways, and appearances by UT mascots, including costumed
Smokey and Smokey XII.
Guests may purchase a $10 lunch that includes a hot dog, chips, a cookie and a drink, with proceeds benefiting the annual campaign.
United Way of Greater Knoxville (UWGK) has set a goal to raise $9 million for area nonprofits.
“Voice of the Vols” Mike Keith and Jim Atchley, Knoxville market president for First Horizon Bank, are co-chairs of the UWGK 2026 Campaign and will speak at the event at 11:30 a.m.,
along with Chrystal Armstrong Brown, president and CEO of UWGK.
All proceeds will benefit the 2026 fundraising campaign, which is themed “United is the Way.” UWGK serves Claiborne, Grainger, Knox, Jefferson and Union counties and impacted more
than 429,000 people in the region in 2025.
