There are a few things every Knoxville native holds dear to their hearts: the Smoky Mountains, the Tennessee Volunteers, and, of course, Boomsday.
Known as "the largest Labor Day fireworks display south of the Mason-Dixon Line," Boomsday is a long-standing Knoxville tradition and is celebrating its 28th anniversary on Sunday, Sept. 6.
For the past 28 years, East Tennesseeans have "oohed and ahhed" at the large fireworks spectacle alongside friends and family. But unfortunately, this year will mark the last Boomsday celebration, according to Visit Knoxville.
This is sad, sad news. I have spent many a Labor Day Weekend by the river looking up at the bright sky, alongside hundreds of others. The cancellation of this classic celebration means more than just an end to high end fireworks, it also means the end to much more.
Boomsday is beloved by so many for the experience. There is nothing quite like pushing your way down (and I mean literally pushing) Neyland Drive surrounded by people (Boomsday is known to attract around 325,000 attendees) on every side while your senses are overloaded with the smell of fried food and the sound of country music.
Boomsday brings the city and the surrounding areas together beneath the bright and booming sky. Boomsday also brings individuals together, which I can attest to, since my parents met for the first time 27 years ago at the second ever Boomsday (#tender).
But it's not just my parents and I who are sad about the end of this celebration. Many Knoxvillians have expressed their feelings toward the announcement on Twitter:
Boomsday, however loved it may be, apparently doesn't bring enough revenue to continue, as the city allegedly loses around $100,000 annually due to the event.
In response to this, lovers of Boomsday have created support groups like Save Boomsday, as an attempt to keep the event going.
Although I, as well as the rest of the city of Knoxville, am sad about the end of Boomsday, the final Boomsday is sure to be one for the books as it goes out with a bang.
For more information on this year's Boomsday, visit Boomsday.org.
