Ijams Symphony from the Park 2020

Ijams Nature Center’s 35th Annual Symphony from the Park,

presented by Clayton Homes and Colonial Pipeline Company

Sunday, Sept. 13, 2020

Program Begins: 6:45 p.m.

Live Stream: 7-8 p.m.

Auction Closes: 8:20 p.m.

Featuring

Evie Andrus Music Featuring Dave Eggar & Phil Faconti

Appalachian Storyteller Elizabeth Rose

Online Auction & More

PLUS

Delicious Picnics for Two Created by Local Chefs from:

Bistro by the Tracks

Cook to be Well

Henhoc Deli & Butcher

Holly’s Gourmets Market

Sunspot

The Tomato Head

In 1910, HP Ijams and his wife, Alice Yoe Ijams, purchased 20 acres of land along the Tennessee River, just three miles from a thriving downtown in Knoxville, Tenn. The graphic designer and ornithologist chose this place so he could study birds, his wife could tend lush gardens and his children would grow up understanding the importance of nature and the need to protect it.

What started as a family homesite soon became a bird sanctuary. After HP and Alice passed, their family, the Knox County Council of Garden Clubs and Knoxville Garden Club encouraged the City of Knoxville to purchase the land and preserve it as a city park. In 1986, the nonprofit Ijams Nature Center took the reins, managing the land and offering education programs to inspire people to appreciate and become stewards of the natural world.

Today, Ijams Nature Center manages more than 315 acres of protected land owned by Ijams, the City, and Knox County, teaches thousands of people annually about the natural world and welcomes more than 160,000 visitors each year.

During the pandemic, the Ijams grounds NEVER CLOSED because the staff understood how important it was for people to connect with nature and exercise safely. Ijams has received thanks from many people who hiked, biked, walked and ran here, saying it has helped them keep their sanity.

There’s nothing quite like a pandemic to make you realize how important HOME is.

HOME is pretty great when you live in East Tennessee. We are so fortunate to live here. We have it all, from having a place like Ijams to enjoy and learn about nature to a top-notch symphony, amazing individuals and some of the best local restaurants anywhere.

Our community is special. So the pandemic version of Ijams Nature Center’s Symphony in the Park has to be special too, and that means bringing everyone together SAFELY to support each other…VIRTUALLY!

This year, it’s all about HOME. It’s about coming together to support things you care about.

You can choose just to stream the program, or you can pick out a picnic for two (or several) and make it a party! And if online auctions appeal to you, you definitely want to register for this one! You don't even have to purchase a ticket to participate in the auction, but it would be wonderful if you'll make a donation to help support this special place!

If you'd like to reserve a picnic, DON'T WAIT! Picnics are limited and once they’re gone, they’re gone! The deadline to reserve your picnic is Friday, Sept. 4, at midnight Eastern!

You can still register for the live stream ticket until Sept. 11 at 5 p.m. Eastern.

Hope you’ll join in the fun, and thank you so much for supporting Ijams Nature Center!