In the next three years, the Tennessee Valley Fair might have to find a new home after being based at historic Chilhowee Park for over 100 years. But fair organizers are keeping an eye on a solution Knox County may have in mind.
Knox County is seeking to lease120 acres of Strong Stock Farm at 8217 Rutledge Pike, according to a letter of intent set to be considered at the Aug. 31 commission meeting. The land would be “used solely for agricultural purposes,” facilities for agricultural activities, offices, demonstrations and county fairs, according to the letter.
“The Tennessee Valley Fair is excited to have the opportunity to be considered as part of the county’s vision for the property, but the project and its development remain a Knox County
initiative,” fair spokesperson Abby Villas told Knox News.
Plans for an agricultural exposition center and other ag uses for the Rutledge property on the county's east side are in the “early stages,” Villas said. But she’s eager to learn more about the county’s intentions and how the fair could fit into that plan.
Tennessee Valley Fair looks at the opportunities
If development for a proposed agriculture expo center moves forward, Villas said the fair – which is a nonprofit organization dedicated to showcasing East Tennessee heritage and agriculture – potentially could use that space and and even expand.
“A facility like that could provide opportunities for us to expand our agricultural programming and further our mission on a year-round basis,” she said.
Villas said it’s too early to know what the fair’s involvement would actually look like since the county’s plans are developing.
For now, the fair is focused on remaining at Chilhowee Park through 2029, when its current lease with Knoxville ends.
“As we look beyond that timeframe, we are always interested in opportunities that would allow the fair to grow and further our agricultural mission,” Villas said.
Why would the Tennessee Valley Fair have to leave Chilhowee Park?
Chilhowee Park has been the Tennessee Valley Fair’s home since it was first held in 1916. The future of the fair at Chilhowee was placed in limbo last year.
Last summer, the city announced it would lease the Jacob Building– which the fair uses annually during the 10-day event – to The Muse children's museum by 2028, and attempted to sell a piece of Chilhowee Park land to Emerald Youth Foundation for a sports complex.
The proposal to sell part of the park was ultimately rejected after community pushback. A Chilhowee Park Advisory Group comprised of community members, partners and stakeholders was formed to help shape the future of Chilhowee Park. Tennessee Valley Fair board member Clarence Vaughn sits on that advisory group.
Although the fair’s lease with the city runs through 2029, there is a caveat. The city has six months before the start of each year's fair to make changes to that agreement.
“As the keepers of the fair, we love the fair just as much as everybody else does and our goal is we want the fair to happen,” Villas told Knox News in July. “We'll make sure that we do our community right, and this is the community's fair. And s, we're just excited for our future and continue on great traditions.”
When is the 2026 Tennessee Valley Fair?
The 106th Tennessee Valley Fair will be Sept. 11-20 at Chilhowee Park. General admission tickets are $7-$12, including early bird discounts. Unlimited ride wristbands are $23-$35.
Concert headliners include Avery Anna, rapper T.I. and country singer Tucker Wetmore. Concert tickets are purchased separately but include admission to enjoy fair activities.
New activities will include daily pig races, a pork cookoff, and even a pig wandering the fairground for this year’s Great American Swine-A-Bration theme. Many activities and competitions will celebrate America’s 250th birthday.
Fair tickets and more information are available at tnvalleyfair.org.
Devarrick Turner is a trending news reporter. Email devarrick.turner@knoxnews.com.
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This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Tennessee Valley Fair 'excited' about potential new Rutledge Pike home
