HOMEGROWN FAVORITES

Sunsphere

Built for the 1982 World’s Fair, the Sunsphere was the symbol of the World’s Fair that became a Knoxville icon. Glass panels covered in 24-karat gold dust give the Sunsphere its unique, sunlike appearance and the 4th Floor Observation Deck o ers a 360-degree view stretching from downtown to the Great Smoky Mountains.

Dolly Parton

The Queen of Country was born and bred in East Tennessee, Sevier County to be exact. And her roots in the region run deep. You might know her for classic country anthems like “9 to 5” and “Jolene,” but we love her for her prolific philanthropy, including the Dollywood Foundation and Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, which benefit East Tennessee and beyond.

Smokey

In 1953, the University of Tennessee Pep Club held a contest to select a coonhound, a favorite Tennessee breed, that would serve as the school’s mascot. The late Rev. W. C. “Bill” Brooks entered his bluetick coonhound, “Brooks’ Blue Smokey” who won over fans by howling when his name was called during the hal ime selection. And thus, the legendary and beloved live mascot was found.