On This Day In 1982, The Unbelievable Happened In Tennessee
Alright, well, MAYBE you can believe it happened. Because on May 1st, 1982, Knoxville hosted the World’s Fair in Tennessee. Yep. The WORLD’S FAIR. It wasn’t no fancy schmancy west coast town that pulled in the fair going folk; it was gorgeous east Tennessee and our fantasy world of a state. Let’s take a walk down memory lane together, shall we?
The theme of the fair was "Energy Turns the World," and it was opened by President Ronald Reagan.
TWENTY-TWO nations pitched up to the fair, giving the world a front row seat to gorgeous Tennessee and, even more exciting, lovely Knoxville.
Over 11 million people visited the park during the whole of its run, which was May 1 to October 31, 1982.
It took $46 million to get the fair off the ground, part of which was made up by the price of tickets - $9.95 for adults, $8.25 for kids. Can you imagine being able to get in for that cheap?!
The grounds were actually a formerly abandoned railroad area that was revamped to host this fair of fairs.
An episode of "The Simpsons" aired in 1996 and depicted the family visiting the Knoxville state fair. In it they knock over the Sunsphere.
Frito pie, the Frito bag treat that includes the bag of chips, sour cream, chili, cheese, tomato, and onions was concocted here.
We made history: this was the last successful World's Fair held in America, and the absolute ONLY one that was held in the south - St. Louis is obviously the midwest, for all you bickering folk.
On May 1st, 1982, Knoxville made history. Do you remember this exciting event?
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