Block parties to close roads in downtown Knoxville

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — Two block party celebrations in downtown will be causing road closures in downtown Knoxville over the weekend.

Starting at 4 p.m. on Friday, September 6, the 100 block of Gay Street will be closed to motorized vehicles between Jackson and Vine avenues until 10 p.m. for the Arts and Culture Alliance’s First Friday block party . Parking meters in the 100 block of Gay Street will be bagged at 2 p.m., and street parking in the area will reopen at 10 p.m.

This month’s First Friday event will include live music by Fountain City Ramblers, as well as around 20 local artist vendors who will be setting up on the block and new exhibits by artists inside of the Emporium.

The inaugural Jackson Avenue Block Party will also be causing a road closure on Friday . From 4 p.m. to 10 p.m., Jackson Avenue between North Central and State Streets will be closed to motorized traffic for the block party happening between 6 and 9 p.m. The closure will also include on-street parking meters, which will be bagged at 2 p.m. and closed to parking at 4 p.m.

During the Jackson Avenue Block Party, access to the paid lot at 109 W. Jackson Avenue will be maintained from North Central Street.

The Jackson Avenue Block Party will include more than 20 booths of local makers, live music by Redd & the Paper Flowers, and an interactive activity with The Maker City.

On Sunday, September 8 , the same closure on Jackson Avenue will also be in place for the Old City Market from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The market will feature local art, craft and food vendors set up from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

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