First-time festival expected to bring tens of thousands to East Knoxville

January 18, 2018

Chilhowee Park & Exposition Center set to host five-week festival
that has attracted 100,000+ attendees in similar markets

Dragon Lights, Knoxville’s first-ever Chinese lantern festival, will take place in the Midway at Chilhowee Park from March 16-April 22, 2018. Featuring 40 larger-than-life lantern displays with thousands of light components, the displays are constructed on-site by dozens of Chinese artisans who travel across the world to keep this centuries-old tradition alive. Created by hand with silk fabric stretched over steel frames, these expertly crafted lanterns embody tradition as the artisans pass their skills from one generation to the next.

“In addition to being awe-inspiring and beautiful, this educational event celebrates an ancient civilization that has continued to this very day,” said Mary Bogert, general manager of Chilhowee Park & Exposition Center.

Along with the light displays, the festival will feature stage performances by Chinese acrobats and Chinese folk art demonstrations. There also will be various children’s activities, food and drinks available.

“Being able to provide cultural, affordable, family-friendly entertainment to the heart of East Knoxville makes me very proud,” Bogert said.

Chicago-based Tianyu Arts & Culture Inc., who produces festivals worldwide, aims to promote cultural communication between China and the world. The organization accomplishes this by ensuring that each festival’s design incorporates specific landmarks and symbols unique to the location. Knoxville’s upcoming festival, for instance, will feature Malaysian tigers and silvered-leaf langur monkeys in celebration of Zoo Knoxville’s Asian Trek.

Knoxville’s Dragon Lights festival will run from 5:30 to 10 p.m. nightly. Ticket prices will range from $10.50 to $16.50. Discounted tickets are available for military, seniors, students and groups. Event parking will be free.

Tickets go on sale Thursday, Jan. 18, at 10 a.m. and can be purchased at the Knoxville Civic Coliseum Box Office, charged by phone at 800-745-3000 or ordered online at www.ticketmaster.com.

About Tianyu Arts & Culture, Inc.

Tianyu Arts & Culture, Inc. is the American subsidiary of the international design and manufacturing company Sichuan Tianyu, whose headquarters are in Zigong, China. Sichuan Tianyu organizes word-class Chinese cultural events, and tailors experiential marketing solutions on an international scale. Renowned for its ability to combine Chinese-folk culture and entertainment into popular China Light Festivals and carnival experiences, Sichuan Tianyu has successfully hosted Chinese light festivals and other celebrations of Chinese culture around the world. Their successful global events have allowed them to maintain offices in the United States, Australia and Europe. By sharing lantern shows and other entertainment traditions, they hope to continue to improve intercultural communication between China and the World.

About Chilhowee Park & Exposition Center

With more than 80 acres of beautiful outdoor sites, multipurpose indoor venue spaces and ample parking, Chilhowee Park & Exposition Center is a multiuse venue for fairs, festivals, concerts, charity runs, trade shows and agriculture competitions. Conveniently located off Interstate 40 and minutes away from Knoxville’s revitalized downtown, Chilhowee Park & Expo Center includes a newly renovated 57,100-square-foot exhibit hall, a 4,500-seat amphitheater, a 3-acre lake, and ample parking. Chilhowee Park & Expo Center is an SMG managed facility. For more information, visit www.chilhoweepark.org.

About SMG

Celebrating its 40th anniversary and founded in 1977, SMG provides management services to more than 230 public assembly facilities including convention and exhibition centers, arenas, stadiums, theaters, performing arts centers, amphitheaters, equestrian facilities, science centers and a variety of other venues. With facilities across the globe, SMG manages more than 15 million square feet of exhibition space, and more than 1.5 million sports and entertainment seats. As the recognized global industry leader, SMG provides venue management, sales, marketing, event booking and programming; construction and design consulting; and pre-opening services for such landmark facilities as McCormick Place & Soldier Field in Chicago, Moscone Convention Center in San Francisco, Houston’s NRG Park and the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans. SMG also offers food and beverage operations through its concessions and catering companies, currently serving more than 140 accounts worldwide. For more information, visit www.smgworld.com.