SPECIAL EVENTS AT CITY PARKS 

INFORMATION ON THIS PAGE

• What is a “Special Event”?
• Insurance requirements for Special Events
• How to schedule your upcoming event
• More details for popular special events
• Special Events Calendar
  
  

WHAT IS A "SPECIAL EVENT"?

A special event is a one-time or infrequently occurring event outside City-sponsored programs or activities.  A special event is an opportunity for a leisure, social, or cultural experience outside the normal range of choices or beyond everyday experience.  Examples of common special events in parks include festivals, community / neighborhood events, run/walk events, athletic tournaments, weddings, etc. Special events are also any event in a park used for fundraising or collecting funds and/or any non-City sponsored event or activity that results in increased risk to the City of Knoxville. 

Not all events are “special events”.  Individuals or groups who rent facilities for events such as birthday parties, baby showers, wedding showers, etc. are typically not considered a "special event" and not required to provide insurance.  Events as mentioned previously only require insurance if funds are being collected for donation or fundraising and/or the activity results in increased risk to the City (soccer team practices, for example - see Insurance File for requirements). 

INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS

As a general rule, the person or group hosting a special event must provide a certificate of insurance covering the City of Knoxville. The amount of coverage varies based on the type of event. This file linked below provides more information in regards to amounts of insurance required based on the type of event being hosted.  City staff will assist in this determination. 
Insurance Requirements for Special Events at City Parks & Recreation Facilities [PDF]

Insurance is required for any event with the following exceptions:
- Club meetings & organizational meetings
- Celebrations (anniversary parties, birthdays, banquets, luncheons, awards, ceremonies)
- Meetings of a social, academy, business, or philosophical nature or expressive activity (other than fundraising)

The use of inflatables/"bounce houses" is ONLY permitted if the individual/group utilizing the equipment discloses such use to the City's Risk Manager at least 10 business days in advance and submits the following disclosure statement: Inflatable Disclosure Statement [PDF].

STEPS TO SCHEDULE YOUR SPECIAL EVENT

• Submit Special Event Application [PDF] to Elaine Frank in the Office of Special Events or complete Online Special Event Application Form
• Review Insurance Requirements for Special Events at City Parks & Recreation Facilities [PDF].
• After receiving confirmation for your event, submit Special Event Fee (if required) at this link: REGISTER HERE for Victor Ashe Park, Tyson Park, Fountain City Park, Sequoyah Hills Park, Adair Park OR REGISTER HERE for all other parks
• Submit Certificate of Insurance before event
• Depending on type of event, additional steps may be required (examples shown in files below)
• For more information, please contact the Office of Special Events at 215-4248 or [email protected] or Parks & Recreation at 215-1733 or [email protected]
  
  

MORE DETAILS FOR POPULAR SPECIAL EVENTS

• Community / Neighborhood Event or Festival [PDF]
  
• Run / Walk [PDF]
  
• Wedding / Reception [PDF]
  
• Athletic Games, Practices, Tournaments (Contact KPRD Athletics at 865-215-1718)
• Other (Please contact the Office of Special Events or Parks & Recreation for more details)
  
  

SPECIAL EVENT CALENDAR

Click HERE to be linked to the Events Calendar maintained by the City's Office of Special Events.

Note:  Events on this list are not sponsored or connected to the City of Knoxville.  This is a list of Special Events scheduled at City parks.  Other rentals such as birthday parties, showers, etc. are not shown on the list.