Spring has arrived in Knoxville, Tennessee, and that also means the return of the city's most popular festivals this May. The "Knoxville Beats and Eats" series of festivals brings together book lovers, live music enthusiasts and food fans.
Here's a look at some of the festivals taking place in Knoxville this May:
The Knoxville Stomp Festival of Lost Music takes place May 5-8 with live music performances from jazz, old-time string band and gospel artists. Celebrating Knoxville's lost music, the festival celebrates the remastering and release of a newly recovered collection of musical recordings from 1929 and 1930 at Knoxville's St. James Hotel.
The four-day festival also includes a film series focusing on regional music and a speaker's series featuring authors and musicians, including an evening with legendary record collector, Joe Bussard. Dom Flemons rounds out the festival with a live performance featuring old-time music.
Knoxville Stomp Festival of Lost Music. Ticket prices vary per event. 500 W. Church Ave., Knoxville. 865-215-8713, www.knoxstomp.com.
The International Biscuit Festival
The International Biscuit Festival held May 12-14 brings food fans to town for the biscuit baking competition, shopping at the biscuit bazaar and plenty of great eats. The Biscuit Songwriting competition brings together musicians performing their songs about the namesake food. The popular Ms. or Mr. Biscuit competition judges entrants in categories such as biscuit fashion, poise and a biscuit-related talent.
The International Biscuit Festival. Ticket prices vary per event. Clinch Ave., Knoxville. 865-238-5219, www.biscuitfest.com.
The Children's Festival of Reading
Held at Knoxville's World's Fair Park, the Children's Festival of Reading on May 21 celebrates authors, books and imagination. Meet the authors of "Ladybug Girl and Bumblebee Boy," "Paperboy" and others, experience storytelling events, arts and crafts and children's activities throughout the festival. Sponsored by the Knox County Public Library, this event inspires children to learn about reading with a day of fun-filled activities.
The Children's Festival of Reading. Free. 525 Henley St., Knoxville. 865-215-8750, www.knoxlib.org/cfor.
