KNOXVILLE, TN (August 11, 2026) – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Visit Knoxville announces today that the community is invited to the second annual Visit Knoxville and United Way Greater Knoxville Block Party, taking place in Market Square on Thursday, September 10, 2026, from 11 AM–2PM. All proceeds from this free event will benefit United Way of Greater Knoxville (UWGK), kicking off their annual 2026 fundraising campaign themed “United is the Way.” This campaign has a goal of raising $9 million for area nonprofits.
Block Party guests will enjoy a $10 lunch (hot dog, chips, cookie, and drink provided by the Knoxville Smokies, Ham’N Goodys, and Coca-Cola). Lunch purchases on this day will directly support the United Way annual campaign. Local organizations will be on-site to engage attendees with activities, giveaways, and more. At time of issue, organizations include members of DICK’S House of Sport, Dolly Parton Children’s Hospital, East Tennessee History Center, Greek Fest, Humane Society of the Tennessee Valley, Knoxville Area Transit (KAT), Knox County Parks & Recreation, Knox County Public Library, Knoxville Adventure Collective, Knoxville Ice Bears, Knoxville Smokies, KUB hydration station, Legacy Parks, Muse Knoxville, Nourish Knoxville, One Knoxville SC, Second Harvest Food Bank of East Tennessee, University of Tennessee Athletics, Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame, YMCA, Young-Williams Animal Center, and YWCA. Exciting guests include UT’s beloved mascots: Smokey XII and Costumed Smokey.
11:00 AM – Event begins
11:30 AM – Visit Knoxville President Kim Bumpas will welcome attendees, introducing Chrystal Armstrong Brown, President and CEO of UWGK. Chrystal will address attendees, followed by “Voice of the Vols” Mike Keith and Jim Atchley, co-chairs of the UWGK 2026 Campaign.
12:00 PM – WDVX’s Blue Plate Special will host live music on the Market Square Stage
2:00 PM – Event concludes
“We’re excited to once again host this community event in partnership with United Way after last year’s success,” said Kim Bumpas, President of Visit Knoxville. “We hope the community will join us for a fun party that supports a great cause.”
“The Block Party is the perfect way to kick off our 2026 United Way campaign,” said Chrystal Armstrong Brown, President and CEO of United Way of Greater Knoxville. “We’re grateful to Visit Knoxville for their continued partnership in bringing people together for an event that’s fun, meaningful, and impactful. Whether someone buys a lunch or makes a gift, every act of generosity brings us one step closer to our $9 million goal so we’re there for our neighbors when they need us most.”
UWGK is striving for a future where everyone’s basic needs are met, no one lives in poverty, all kids learn and succeed, and every person, family, and child flourishes. Lasting change is not the work of one nonprofit, one company, or one volunteer. UWGK connects leaders, businesses, nonprofits, and community members to support neighbors in need. UWGK funds various initiatives across five counties—Claiborne, Grainger, Knox, Jefferson, and Union.
UWGK’s 2025 Annual Report highlights its work, impacting over 429,000 people in the region:
- More than 14,000 families were provided emergency food assistance through a coordinated, rapid response to the 2025 federal government shutdown and pause in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.
- 6,435 students were served at 16 Community Schools.
- 872 families, including nearly 2,000 children, were supported on their journeys to self-sufficiency through the East Tennessee Collaborative.
- Nearly $1 million was mobilized through Local and Regional Healthy Food Financing Partnerships Program, led in partnership with the Real Good Kitchen Foundation and KCDC.
- 5,533 volunteers were connected to more than 13,000 opportunities, with an estimated community service value of $866,000.
For more information about the Visit Knoxville and United Way Greater Knoxville Block Party, visit https://www.visitknoxville.com/blockparty/.
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ABOUT VISIT KNOXVILLE
Visit Knoxville (Knoxville Convention and Visitors Bureau) is the official CVB for the City of Knoxville and Knox County. Visit Knoxville is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, private company that works together with the community, business leaders, and local and state government to further develop Knoxville as a premier leisure, meetings, and travel destination. Tourism is the second highest grossing industry in the state of Tennessee. Knoxville/Knox County annually produces over $2 billion in travel spending. Visit Knoxville is also home to the VK Sports Commission, the VK Film Office, the Sunsphere Welcome Center & Observation Deck, and the Visitors Center at 301 S. Gay Street. For more information, go to visitknoxville.com and follow on Facebook and Instagram.
ABOUT UNITED WAY OF GREATER KNOXVILLE
United Way of Greater Knoxville (UWGK) unites people and resources to strengthen communities. As part of United Way Worldwide, the largest charitable organization in the world, UWGK is dedicated to creating a community where all neighbors can thrive. For more information, visit uwgk.org.
Kristen Combs
Director of Communications
Visit Knoxville
865.306.4341
