The Tennessee Amphitheater was constructed during the 1982 World’s Fair. During that time, it was home to both country music and classical music concerts. The Sunsphere and the Tennessee Amphitheater are the only structures that remain from the 1982 World’s Fair. After the Fair’s close, the Amphitheater continued to be used for various activities until it was closed in 1998 for construction of the new Convention Center and renovation of the World’s Fair site. Once these projects were complete, the Amphitheater reopened briefly until it was closed again in 2002 due to structural problems.
However, in 2005, Mayor Bill Haslam announced that the Sunsphere and Tennessee Amphitheater would be renovated for public use. In 2007 he announced that they would be renovated without use of taxpayer’s money. Later that year, the Sunsphere’s Observation Deck reopened to the public free of charge and Mayor Haslam held his Inaugural Address, for his second term in office in the Amphitheater. This was the first event to be held in the structure after being closed and empty for years.
Fountain Hours: 10:00 am - 9:00 pm (Mid-April to Mid-October)
Park Rules
• Electric scooters must be ridden in the streets and are not allowed on sidewalks, lawns, or greenways • No skateboarding • Keep pets on leashes and clean up after your pet • No littering • No pets allowed in the fountain • Vending, solicitation or use of alcoholic beverages without proper permits is prohibited • No swimming or wading in the pond areas • Possession of firearms or other weapons is prohibited • The use of charcoal grills is prohibited • Glass containers are prohibited in the fountain area only • Cleats/spikes are not allowed on the lawn • All events must be scheduled through the Public Building Authority at (865) 215-8160 • All visitors are subject to video monitoring while on these premises. • Please contact Park Patrol at 215-2246 if you are in need of assistance
Security
PARK PATROL: (865) 215-2246
The park is staffed by Park Patrol officers at all times. Emergency phones are located throughout the park. All visitors are subject to video monitoring while on these premises.
Parking
Eleventh Street, Clinch Avenue and World’s Fair Park Drive provide direct vehicular access to numerous parking areas:
Fort Kid Lot (78 spaces) WFP North Lot (100 car spaces and four bus spaces) Blackstock Lot (364 spaces) Locust Street Garage (642 spaces)
Stage Size "82 feet in length and "56 feet in width Capacity Seating for 1,254
Commercial Rate $600 per day*. Any event lasting over three days will receive a 25% reduction on the per day cost beginning on the fourth day
Non-Profit Rate (Must provide copy of charter) $400 per day. Any event lasting over three days will receive a 25% reduction on the per day Cost beginning on the fourth day
Power 200-amp disconnect with 100-amps of total powering thirteen 110-volt outlets at back side of Stage and on each ramp; all 3-phase; all power sourced at the Stage
.png)
