2025 Vendor & Event Information

Thank you for supporting this event!

Here you will find the latest event information and contact info for this years MLK Parade & Juneteenth Celebration.

Please note: This year the street will be blocked off to through traffic during the Celebration.
For safety, we will NOT ALLOW food truck vendors to set up after 11:00am.

Locations

Parade Line Up:
Chilhowee Park – Gate #13
299 N Beaman St, Knoxville, TN 37914

Juneteenth Celebration:
Dr. Walter Hardy Park
2020 Martin Luther King Jr Ave, Knoxville, TN 37915

Contact Numbers

  • Juneteenth Vendors, Sponsors, Production – Brian Brooks – (865) 816-9864

  • Parade / March Logistics – Mabrey Duff (parade@mlkknoxville.com)

Bus Information

2 Bus Pick Up locations

  • The Bus stop at the Family Justice Center on MLK Jr Avenue.
  • At the Tabernacle Baptist Church at Corner of Cruze St & MLK Jr Avenue.
  • The bus route begins at 8:00 AM.

  • Buses will continuously run, picking up participants from designated stops and dropping them off at Chilhowee Park entrance (Gate 13).

  • Buses will also take participants back to the park from their parked locations.

Parking Information

  • Vendor Parking: we are setting aside 50 spaces for Vendors across the street in the Tabernacle Church Parking lot.

  • Please do not park on the street near the park. This will impede the street performances and block spaces for the food trucks.
  • For pedestrian safety no Vehicles will be allowed into the Walter Hardy Park area after 10:30am.

  • Only stage production will be allowed to park on the park grass. Please have all load in vehicles removed by 10:30am.
  • This year the street will be blocked off to through traffic during the Celebration. For safety, we will NOT ALLOW food truck vendors to set up after 11:00am.

  • This year all mobile truck food vendors will be placed on the south side of the street facing the park side walk. This will allow everyone to be open before and during the parade.

Event Times

  • 8:00am – Early Celebration Load In for Parade participants.
  • 8:30am – Parade Line Up

  • 9:30am – Official Load-In Begin at Juneteenth Celebration.

  • 10:00am – Parade Step Off. Heading west on MLK Jr Ave towards Walter Hardy Park

  • 10:00am – Sound Check at Walter Hardy Park

  • 10:30am – Load-In End at Juneteenth Celebration. (All vehicles removed from inside the park.)
  • 10:30am – Sound Up at Celebration

  • 11:00am – Juneteenth Celebration Official Begin

  • 3:00pm – Juneteenth Celebration Official End

  • 3:15pm – Sound Down at Celebration

  • 3:30pm – Load Out Begin

Performance Order

2026 Performance Schedule TBA

Weather Updates

This event is planned rain or shine. However, in the case of severe weather, thunder/lightning, or heavy sustained rain, adjustments will be made to protect the safety of participants, vendors, and attendees. Check back here for the latest updates and weather information.

Celebration Vendor Map

New 2026 Vendor Map Coming Soon

Parade locations & pick ups

Juneteenth Celebration & Parade End
Dr. Walter Hardy Park 2020 Martin Luther King Jr Ave
Parade Line Up
Chilhowee Park Parade Lineup Gate #13 301 N Beaman St, Knoxville, TN 37914
Family Justice Center on MLK Jr Avenue.
Family Justice Center Bus Pick
MLK & Cruze Corner Bus Pickup
MLK & Cruze Corner Bus Pickup
Chilhowee Park Bus Pickup
Chilhowee Park Bus Pickup