More than 1,000 people have responded to the Facebook post inviting everyone to the Powell Station Celebration this Saturday, August 13, at Powell High School and Powell Station Park. The flotilla was divorced from the car show this year, but that won’t make a dent in attendance. Powell loves a party. The weather could hurt, but Thursday’s two-day forecast showed cloud cover with only a 10% chance of rain.

Come early. It’s cooler then and the vendors will still have free swag. Here’s what we know about the schedule:

  • 8 a.m. – Car show registration begins and vendor area opens for setup.
  • 9:45 a.m. – Park and car show open to the public. There is no cost of admission.
  • 10 a.m. – Opening ceremonies
  • 10-2 p.m. – Activities for kids and grownups
  • 2 p.m. – Judging of cars ends
  • 2:15 p.m. – Awards for car show and various contests
  • 2:30 p.m. – Event ends and we start planning for next year.

The 8th annual Travis Wegener Memorial Car Show, sponsored by the Tennessee Valley Mustang Club, is the headliner. Car owners compete for trophies and bragging rights. Bring your kids through the show. Let them ask questions. It’s fun to see the trunk size (small) of a car that runs without a computer chip. And although the Mustang Club sponsors the show, it is not limited to the ponies or even to the Ford brand.

Dr. Don Wegener may have a big announcement. He is working with Knox County to identify and purchase some serious outdoor exercise equipment which Knox County Parks & Rec would install and maintain. “We’ve got $30,000 to spend,” Wegener said.

We’re pretty sure Knox County will find a way to take it. Wegener’s vision is to install pieces of equipment along the Powell greenway with the majority at Powell Station Park, adjacent to Powell High School. Don and Cindy Wegener’s son, Travis, was murdered while visiting friends on August 15, 2014. A Powell High School graduate and owner of Champion Lawn and Landscaping, he was just 28.

John Diamond, who designed the 9-hole disc golf course at Powell Station Park, will again head a disc golf tournament. He has changed the format to accommodate more players. The entry fee is offset by prizes and swag that John arranges.

East TN Pediatric Dentistry will sponsor Kid Zone at the splash pad – bigger and better than ever.

Ron Evans and the Powell Station Historical Society will present a video program in the air-conditioned PHS auditorium.

PBPA and TVA Credit Union will present the local vendor showcase.

Also, there is a petting zoo, bounce houses and games for all.

Denise Girard will coordinate food sales (grilled hamburgers & hot dogs donated by Food City) for lunch

Powell High School will run the Renaissance 5K to start the day

Mayor Glenn Jacobs (aka Kane) will be a special guest.

Info: Chair of Enhance Powell, Michael Laverdure at Knuckle Busters AAMCO on Stekoia Lane, 865-947-7410.

Camille Keck at 1 Source Printing and this writer created a “thank you” for car owners as they register. Here are some excerpts:

“Remember the first car show, when we stuffed ourselves into the parking lot of Food City? We didn’t have Powell Station Park then. The park where we are today was built as a result of money raised and leveraged through the Travis Wegener Memorial Car Show.

“Your car show has inspired donations and a plan to ‘Enhance Powell.’

“Since you were last here, we have installed two accessible, floating docks on Beaver Creek – one behind Powell High and the other at Roy Arthur Stormwater Park on Harrell Road. The Legacy Parks Foundation and Knox County have the lead on this, with a generous donation from Aubrey’s Restaurants.

“What’s Ahead? …Sturdy outdoor exercise equipment. The purchase money is directly from this car show and related activities.

“Powell Loves You, Tennessee Valley Mustang Club & car owners. Have a great day.”

Bonus to those who made it this far … Charles Denney produced this video of the early days of Enhance Powell, when Justin Bailey toured Dr. Garry Menendez and his landscaping design students around a scruffy piece of ground that would become Powell Station Park.