On July 8, 1910, the main building of the Great Appalachian Exposition was dedicated in Chilhowee Park in Knoxville.
Preceding the dedication was a parade down Gay Street.
In addition there was a bandstand made from Tennessee marble and a building built by Knoxville College students to exhibit Knoxville’s African-American history. A local businessman and racetrack owner cut down the only tree at his track to allow the first airplane to land in East Tennessee, on said track. Speaking of flight, the Exposition also saw the first flight of a zeppelin in the area as well.
The Appalachian Exposition ran from 1910 to 1911, with mineral and forest exhibits from around the Appalachian region, horse racing, guest speakers and something called a “Nashville Day.”
After the Appalachian Exposition finished its run in 1911, the National Conservation Exposition took its place. Eventually the Tennessee Valley Fair succeeded both with an annual event at Chilhowee Park.
Fun fact: The Tennessee Valley Fair, which started in 1916 as the East Tennessee Division Fair, has made an appearance every year except for World War II, the Spanish flu pandemic in 1917 and 1918 and the Covid pandemic in 2020.