Dogwood Arts Festival

Born from reactions to adverse comments about Knoxville by a New York journalist in the 1950s, the stated purpose of the Dogwood Arts Festival is to "advance, promote, support, and foster the natural beauty of the City of Knoxville, Tennessee".

The Dogwood Trails feature the natural beauty of Knoxville - dogwoods, azaleas and other flowering plants, which come into abundant bloom in spring. Meanwhile the Arts Festival, taking place in the historic city centre's Market Square, allows visitors to enjoy arts, crafts, food and entertainment by local artists. There is also a parade, usually taking place on the first Saturday, which glides along the downtown streets of Knoxville, along with various other events like soccer tournaments and hot air balloon rallies.

As part of the festivities, CampKIDFEST takes over Chilhowee Park with rides, games and interactive exhibits to keep children entertained. There's also the Dogwood Grand Prix and cycle race, both great spectator events.

There is a Native American tale about the curious colour of the dogwood tree, from which the Dogwood Arts Festival is inspired. The story goes that a beautiful Cherokee princess was slain by a suitor whom she had rejected. The maiden subsequently used a dogwood blossom to soak up her blood as she lay dying. This is why there are stains on the tip of each petal.

The flowering dogwood has become the national symbol of spring. George Washington planted it at Mount Vernon and Thomas Jefferson used it in his landscaping of Monticello and the University of Virginia. Tennessee has now celebrated the dogwood's magical effect on the joyousness of springtime for over four decades.

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