The calendar turns to May this week so that means it's time for a plethora of events going on in Blount County. First up is the Townsend Spring Festival this Friday and Saturday at the Visitor's Center in Townsend. There will be crafters, food, demonstrations, tractors and of course, some of the best Bluegrass music around. The event is free with parking for $8 which benefits the Townsend Volunteer Fire Department.

 

In addition to the goings on at the Visitor's Center, there are plenty of other things happening around Townsend that weekend, including a concert by the Sons of Bluegrass and a quilt show at the Heritage Center. Trillium Cove will be bustling with activities as will Jeepism, the Little River Railroad Museum and Nawger Nob.

 

We'd love to see you at a pair of ribbon cuttings this week. The first is the April 29 ribbon cutting for Tennessee Vein Center as it shows off its new location. Then on May 1, enVision Eye Care is holding its ribbon cutting.

 

The Blount Partnership is encouraging all its registered voters to please vote in the May primary coming up on May 6. If you can't make it to the polls then, please take advantage of the early voting period which runs through May 1. It's an important election for many county seats. Here's where you can early vote and here's a sample ballot. Be sure to bring your ID with you to vote!

 

Election Commission Office, 383 Court Street, Maryville, TN
Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m.
Saturday, 8 a.m.-2 p.m.

 

Everett Recreation Center, 318 S. Everett High Road, Maryville, TN
Monday-Friday, 11 a.m.-7 p.m.

 

Pellissippi State, 2731 W. Lamar Alexander Pkwy., Friendsville, TN
Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m.

 

Blount County's Tourism Day is set for May 5 at 9:30 a.m. at Smithview Pavillion. Tennessee Department of Tourism Commissioner Susan Whitaker will be on hand as proclamations will be delivered as well as an update on the state of tourism in the county.

 

I got caught up watching Saturday Night Fever last night, so that meant I had to go back to this week in 1978 to find that the Bee Gee's "Night Fever" was in the midst of its eight-week run atop the Billboard Singles Chart. The song lists at number 33 on Billboard's All Time Top 100.

Bee Gees - Night Fever

April 29 -- Tennessee Vein Center Ribbon Cutting
April 30 -- BTAP Class
May 1-3 -- Two Wheelin' in the Smokies
May 1 -- Johnson and Galyon 100 Year Celebration
May 1 -- enVision Eye Care Ribbon Cutting
May 2-3 -- Townsend Spring Festival
May 2 -- HOPS for Hope
May 2 -- Sons of Bluegrass Concert
May 2-4 -- Boogie on the River Cancer Benefit
May 3 -- Quilter's Road Show
May 3-4 -- Nawger Nob Arts & Crafts Fair

May 5 -- Tourism Day for Blount County
May 6 -- Landlord Workshop
May 9 -- Succeeding as a Supervisor and Problem Solving
May 9-10 -- New Midland Arts & Crafts Fair
May 9-10 -- British Car Show
May 9 -- Heritage Center Spring Concert Series: Acoustic Eidolon
May 10 -- e3 Trade Show

May 2-3 -- Townsend Spring Festival

You can access the entire calendar here to see other community events and submit your own.

Don't forget to check out the Hot Deals brought to you from other Chamber members. Add your Hot Deal by emailing Amy to get your login info.