1982 World's Fair, Knoxville
The 1982 World's Fair, also known as the Knoxville International Energy Exposition, was held in Knoxville from May 1 to October 31, 1982. The fair was organized around the theme of "Energy Turns the World," with an emphasis on alternative and renewable energy sources.
The fairgrounds were situated on a 70-acre site in downtown Knoxville, adjacent to the University of Tennessee campus. The fair featured over 50 pavilions and exhibits, showcasing a variety of technologies related to energy production, conservation, and efficiency. Some of the highlights included the "Energy Island" exhibit, which featured a large wind turbine and solar panels, as well as displays on nuclear energy and geothermal power.
One of the most popular attractions at the fair was the Sunsphere, a 266-foot-high steel tower with a golden glass sphere at the top. The Sunsphere was the symbol of the fair and offered visitors a panoramic view of the fairgrounds and the surrounding city. The Tennessee Amphitheater, which hosted concerts and other performances throughout the fair, was also a popular destination.
The fair attracted over 11 million visitors during its six-month run, exceeding expectations and bringing significant economic benefits to the region. The fair also had a lasting impact on Knoxville and the surrounding area, with many of the pavilions and buildings remaining in use long after the fair had ended.
The 1982 World's Fair in Knoxville was a significant event in the history of Tennessee and the United States. It highlighted the growing importance of energy issues and alternative technologies and helped to showcase Knoxville as a dynamic and forward-thinking city.
The fairgrounds were situated on a 70-acre site in downtown Knoxville, adjacent to the University of Tennessee campus. The fair featured over 50 pavilions and exhibits, showcasing a variety of technologies related to energy production, conservation, and efficiency. Some of the highlights included the "Energy Island" exhibit, which featured a large wind turbine and solar panels, as well as displays on nuclear energy and geothermal power.
One of the most popular attractions at the fair was the Sunsphere, a 266-foot-high steel tower with a golden glass sphere at the top. The Sunsphere was the symbol of the fair and offered visitors a panoramic view of the fairgrounds and the surrounding city. The Tennessee Amphitheater, which hosted concerts and other performances throughout the fair, was also a popular destination.
The fair attracted over 11 million visitors during its six-month run, exceeding expectations and bringing significant economic benefits to the region. The fair also had a lasting impact on Knoxville and the surrounding area, with many of the pavilions and buildings remaining in use long after the fair had ended.
The 1982 World's Fair in Knoxville was a significant event in the history of Tennessee and the United States. It highlighted the growing importance of energy issues and alternative technologies and helped to showcase Knoxville as a dynamic and forward-thinking city.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Knoxville. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
1982 World's Fair on Map
Sight Name: 1982 World's Fair
Sight Location: Knoxville, USA (See walking tours in Knoxville)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Sight Location: Knoxville, USA (See walking tours in Knoxville)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Walking Tours in Knoxville, Tennessee
Create Your Own Walk in Knoxville
Creating your own self-guided walk in Knoxville is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Knoxville’s Historical Buildings
Knoxville is often referred to as "The Marble City" for the abundant supply of high-quality marble used in many of its buildings. Noting the wealth of well-preserved historic homes in the city, prominent American architect John Russell Pope even coined his own moniker for it – the "City of Houses".
Indeed, Knoxville's eventful and sometimes turbulent past, dating from... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.2 Km or 1.4 Miles
Indeed, Knoxville's eventful and sometimes turbulent past, dating from... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.2 Km or 1.4 Miles
Downtown Knoxville Walking Tour
A small town with big-city amenities and a vibrant music scene (a mix of country, bluegrass, and rock), Knoxville, or K-Town as it's popularly shortened by locals, is also often referred to as “the Gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains,” for its proximity to the national park area, whose marble quarries, in the past, gave it another moniker, The Marble City.
Knoxville was founded in... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.3 Km or 1.4 Miles
Knoxville was founded in... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.3 Km or 1.4 Miles
University of Tennessee Walking Tour
Founded in 1794 as William Blount College, The University of Tennessee (UT) in Knoxville is one of the oldest public universities in the United States. Nowadays, the UT flagship institution features a mix of historic and modern sites which draw many a visitor to the city.
The campus covers nearly 600 acres in downtown’s west end, including over 200 buildings and a faculty of more than 1,700... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.0 Km or 1.9 Miles
The campus covers nearly 600 acres in downtown’s west end, including over 200 buildings and a faculty of more than 1,700... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.0 Km or 1.9 Miles