Knoxville Opera Rossini Festival turns 10 in 2011

Rossini Festival Celebrates 10 Year Mark

I can’t believe that I let the Knoxville Opera Rossini Festival in Knoxville slip up on me. This is one of the most fun events to happen all year. It’s the only Italian Festival that I know of in East Tennessee. There is music, vendors, wares and of course, Italian food and wine tastings.

The huge street fair is a fundraiser for the Knoxville Opera. It’s a fun way to enjoy some family time together or go on a hot date with your sweetie. This year isn’t going to be just any event. It’s the 10 year smash anniversary celebration!

Italian Flag

The Rossini Festival in Knoxville is downtown on Market Square Mall and Gay Street. The city center is the perfect place for an Italian Street Fair. Helping to make the event a success is the free parking in the city garages. Visitors can park free from 6:00 pm on Fridays throughout the weekend in any of the city parking garages.

My family always enjoys walking around the Knoxville Opera Rossini Festival and seeing the vendors. One year we picked up a hand painted silk scarf for a friend. The soft colors were perfect for her. We also enjoyed the face painting, music and dinner. 

Hubby didn’t do so well looking at the scarves and jewelry. He decided to pay $1 to be an honorary Italian for the day. I can’t remember what the name tag said but I do remember getting a kick out of it.

The Knoxville Opera Rossini Festival fun goes from 11:00 am – 9:00 pm. Be sure to check their website for all the details. There is no admission fee just plenty of family centered fun. Be sure to bring your camera, sunscreen and friends.