Tennessee

Tennessee Renaissance Festival Opens for the Season With New Offerings

Published

2 years ago

May 7, 2024

Tennessee Renaissance Festival Opens for the Season With New Offerings

Jousters at Tennessee Renaissance Festival. Photo by Lee Rennick.

The Tennessee Renaissance Festival began this past weekend, with opening day on Saturday, May 4. Opening day started out great. Cool with slightly cloudy skies, both visitors and performers in full armor were plentiful. The Queen and her court in their stunning velvet doublets and damask silk finestrella sleeves opened the celebration with a bagpipe player.

And then it began to rain. Then pour. The fair was closed early due to lightning. Saturday ticketholders were also able to use their tickets on Sunday, May 5.

Before the rains, Timon, a magician, juggler and sword swallower who adds a dash of humor to his presentation, moved to a main stage this year. Based in Berlin, Germany, he only does three shows in the United States per year, but many around the world. He has added his own odd twist to circuses, festivals, street performances, cabarets and variety shows.

While some shows have expanded or morphed due to the groups coming under new managers, others are new. For example, Timon and Giancomo the Jester from Empty Hats will be joining forces to do a knife throwing act. The Bardbarians are theatrical musical performers who delight audiences with Renaissance songs with a decidedly 21st-century twist. And Hob the Troll, a new performer, provides a silly musical show that appeals to both kids and adults. He will perform the first two weeks of the festival, and Lady Ettie – an expert on Renaissance fashion and etiquette – will amuse with her uncommon twist on the subjects.

Another new addition to the festival is “The Grotto.” Here, sea nymphs, also known as mermaids, will be cavorting in a magical pool and offer meet and greets several times a day. They are surrounded by a new group of vendors, including one which offers gossamer “wings” to twirl and shimmer.

Once again, the Jousting Freelancers troupe will be partaking in games of skill, and clashing swords and lances on horseback. Added to the jousting field this year is the Daring Horseman Duo. This is a gravity-defying, equestrian acrobatic extravaganza featuring fearless bareback riding, daring flips and breathtaking stunts. While this duo hails from New Jersey and France, they have amazed audiences around the world.

Throughout the grounds, there will be a role-playing game happening called, “Roll Your Destiny.” It will involve puzzles to solve, secrets to explore, and a magical journey to take with friends or alone.

Popular events like the Queen’s Tea and Fairy Training, both of which require an additional ticket, will take place again this year. The Queens’ Tea has been moved to a larger space under a tent near the entrance. Adjacent to this tent is the Queen’s Promenade. Here, twice a day, participants will be able to step into the resplendent ballrooms of yore. Under the tutelage of the festival’s esteemed master of dance, attendees will be imbued with the elegance and skills that were once reserved for only the noblest of society.

This dance experience offers one session a day for youth ages seven through 15 and another for teens and adults ages 16 and up. The Queen’s Promenade Youth session begins at 11 a.m. and the teen and adult session begins at 1:00 p.m. in the Queen’s Pavilion on May 11th, 12th, 18th, 19th, and 25th, through 27th.

The Third Annual Hobbit and Fairy House Competition will take place the second week of the festival. Made from natural elements, this competition allows participants to put their creativity on display as they create hobbit bowers and fairy houses. Voting will begin each festival day at 2:00 p.m. in the Fairy Glen. Winners will be determined by popular vote. More information about the event is available here.

Each weekend has a different theme. The first weekend theme was “Vikings.” “Fantasy and Folklore” is the theme of the second weekend, and “Pirate Plunder” the third weekend. The last weekend will run Saturday, Sunday and Monday (Memorial Weekend). Its theme will be “Celtic Celebration.”

A Costume Showcase will take place each day at 2:00 p.m., with awards presented by Queen Elizabeth and her court. The dress and costume weapon policy can be found here.

Tours of the castle grounds will begin every day of the festival at 11:00 a.m. and end at 3:00 p.m.

Tickets and additional information is available at https://www.tnrenfest.com/. Tennessee Renaissance Festival will run every weekend in May plus Memorial Day. It opens at 10:00 a.m. and closes at 6:00 p.m. It is located in Covington Glen at 2135 New Castle Road in Arrington, Tennessee.

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Tennessee

Pavia, Vanderbilt overwhelm Tennessee, 45-24 – Knox TN Today

Published

6 hours ago

November 30, 2025

Press Room

Pavia, Vanderbilt overwhelm Tennessee, 45-24 – Knox TN Today

There are several words to describe what happened Saturday at Neyland Stadium – historic, decisive, disappointing, humbling.

Others are to be avoided. This is Sunday and KnoxTNToday is a family-friendly website.

Vanderbilt knocked down Tennessee and stepped on it, 45-24.

“Extremely disappointing second half that leads to an extremely disappointing ultimate result,” said Josh Heupel.

This was a new experience for the coach. His four previous teams defeated the Commodores. Three years ago, the Vols romped, 56-0.

This time Vandy did all the romping. It got a tying touchdown 12 seconds before halftime, totally dominated the third quarter, gave up a field goal in the fourth and slammed in two more touchdowns to be sure the Vols got the message.

Tennessee couldn’t contain Diego Pavia. Tennessee couldn’t block the blitz. The running game was snuffed out. Tennessee lost the line of scrimmage on offense and defense.

Vanderbilt gained 582 yards. Pavia passed for 268 yards and a touchdown. He ran for 165 yards and a score. He backed up what he said in the summer, that the Vols wouldn’t know what hit them come November.

“We can beat Tennessee literally any given Saturday.”

For the first time, Vanderbilt has 10 victories in a season. This might be the best Vandy team in a century or so. It pretends to think it belongs in the playoffs.

In case you are interested, success was purchased, not developed. Pavia, several other key players and at least four offensive coaches came to Nashville as a package from New Mexico State.

Retooling the offense was a brilliant move by coach Clark Lea. He was 1-23 against Southeastern Conference competition before he “adjusted” his staff.

Tennessee has an 8-4 record. The team is not as good as that sounds. It did not make consistent improvement. It almost beat Georgia but didn’t – and didn’t defeat any other really strong opponent. It made many of the same mistakes all season. It never achieved dependability on pass defense.

Heupel did not say this loss will lead to a fire drill. He did not say any assistants will be replaced. He did say he will evaluate the entire program.

“I’ll certainly take a hard look at all of it.”

Heupel said “the performance was not anywhere near the standard of what Tennessee football is.”

He said there were a lot of things the program had to deal with in the beginning and middle parts of the season. He didn’t get into specifics but he probably was talking about key injuries and Boo Carter.

“I told our players we’ve had some disappointing results, but this second half was extremely disappointing. Coaches and players, not just one.”

Defensive lineman Tyre West #42 tackles Vandy wide receiver Junior Sherrill #0 at Neyland Stadium on Saturday. (Photo By Andrew Ferguson/ Tennessee Athletics)

There were some Saturday examples.

DeSean Bishop, a warrior, scored two touchdowns in the first half. He finished with 98 rushing yards. He gained two in the second half. I don’t think the drop-off was his fault.

Joey Aguilar played quarterback with Commodores in his face or all around. It looked as if Vandy surprised all concerned with the blitz plan.

Joey was not ultra-accurate but he and Chris Brazzell combined for a 52-yard touchdown and he threw another strike that Mike Matthews dropped at the goal line.

Aguilar finished 29-of-44 for 299 yards. One of those completions was a sensational shoe-topper by freshman Radarious Jackson. Joey did not lose an interception.

Jalen McMurray was flagged for a late hit to Pavia’s head on an incomplete pass. It wasn’t a fierce blow but the penalty led directly to the Vandy touchdown a few seconds before intermission.

Heupel said what everybody knew – “not smart football.”

Pavia didn’t blow a lot of smoke after the game but he did wave goodbye to the Tennessee multitude.

Vandy fans (or maybe just his relatives) were chanting “Heisman, Heisman, Heisman.”

Why not?

Score by quarters:

Vanderbilt 7 14 10 14 – 45

Tennessee 7 14 0 3 – 24

Scoring summary:

TENN – DeSean Bishop 2-yard run (Max Gilbert kick)
VANDY – Sedrick Alexander 28 yd run (Brock Taylor kick)
VANDY – Makhilyn Young 3 run (Taylor kick)
TENN – Chris Brazzell 52 pass from Joey Aguilar (Gilbert kick)
TENN – Bishop 35 run (Gilbert kick)
VANDY – Tre Richardson 6 pass from Diego Pavia (Taylor kick)
VANDY – Alexander 5 run (Taylor kick)
VANDY – Taylor 35 field goal
TENN – Gilbert 25 field goal
VANDY – Pavia 24 run (Taylor kick)
VANDY – Alexander 39 run (Taylor kick)

Marvin West welcomes comments or questions from readers. His address is marvinwest75@gmail.com

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Saturday Predictions: Vanderbilt at Tennessee

Published

1 day ago

November 29, 2025

Press Room

Saturday Predictions: Vanderbilt at Tennessee

Well, this is definitely the biggest Vanderbilt-Tennessee game in a long time. Vanderbilt heads to Knoxville today looking for its first win over the Vols since 2018 — and looking for its first ten-win season in school history, along with possibly maybe a playoff berth? That looks less likely after yesterday’s results (which saw Utah pick up a come-from-behind win over Kansas, and Texas beat Texas A&M), but it’s still within the realm of possibility. Will Vanderbilt make it a 10-win season?

You know, I’ve seen a lot of people out there still picking against us like they doubt us. I have also seen a lot of Tennessee fans on Twitter posting about Diego Pavia’s mom behind burner accounts, which let me just say is exceptionally weird. And in some cases psychotic. Give me Vanderbilt to win this one. 10-2 it is.

The Pick: Vanderbilt 38, THEM 27

The SEC Upset Pick of the Week: An underrated one here: ARKANSAS (+3.5) is 2-9 but actually has a positive point differential on the season. This is their last chance to actually get one, so I am picking them to beat Missourah (spits.) How a game between an SWC and Big 8 team counts as “The SEC Upset Pick of the Week” is not clear.

This game screams “First to 50 wins.” Diego’s going to make sure, in his last regular season game, conference game, and rivalry game, that that will be The Gridiron Dores.

It really is that simple. Nothing sucks like a big orange.

The Pick: Vanderbilt 52 – Buttchuggers 49.

The SEC Upset Pick of the Week: The fact that so many of the games have already happened makes this prediction less impactful, so go ahead and give me The South Cackalacky Game Penises over Clemson. Wait… the penises are actually favored in this one??? Ah hell, I guess I’ll do the ol’ “I picked Vanderbilt to win, didn’t I?” canard.

This is a game of great offenses versus less-great defenses. Rivalry games often come down to big moments. Vanderbilt has, at times to a fault, been committed to preventing the big play on defense. They have also turned the ball over once for every two Tennessee turnovers. Turnovers and long TDs are often the plays that swing these games. Vanderbilt has the edge in both.

It is funny seeing the normal “rival trying to ruin their opponent’s season” script flipped. Granted, some results have already fallen that have Vanderbilt’s CFP hopes on life support. Still, the chance to go to the Citrus bowl, which Steve Spurrier called out as the rightful home of the 90s and 00s Vols, hangs in the balance. The Dores have the driver’s seat unless the CFP committee screws them in favor of Texas after the Longhorns’ win over Texas A&M.

Frankly, throw the stats out. The Dores have Diego Pavia who has been on a mission both for New York and for his team’s postseason chances. That baaaad man is not going to be denied in Neyland after struggling horribly against THEM in the 2024 contest.

The Pick: Vanderbilt 48, Tennessee 21

The SEC Upset Pick of the Week: Iron Bowl in Jordan-Hare with Auburn surging under an interim coach? That is absolutely the setup for an upset there. War. Damn. Eagle.

They lowdown.. They dirty. They suck. Go ‘Dores.

The Pick: Vanderbilt 41, Tennessee 31

The SEC Upset Pick of the Week: Upset? Volunteer fans after we whoop the only thing that brings those overgrown brats any joy.

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