Irene Pinkston/pinkston Vacuum

The Hola Festival is held in Knoxville every September as part of Hispanic Heritage Month. The month-long celebration of all things Hispanic has been observed in the United States since 1968. This day-long event is a salute to the cultural diversity of East Tennessee. The Hola Festival's goal is to welcome visitors and familiarize them with new flavors of food as well as culturally diverse music, arts, crafts and much more. Hola means "hello" in Spanish, so come greet your new friends and have a great time!

The Beck Cultural Exchange Center documents the plights and contributions of African-Americans to the east Tennessee region. The exhibits are nothing short of dramatic, as each one takes a compelling look at individual accomplishments and accounts of persistence that led to change. These stories are told through the creative use of historical books, newspapers, recordings, films and various other artifacts.

The Old Gray Cemetery proves to be no ordinary resting place. It is over 150 years old and dates back to the Victorian era. Even though it is a fascinating example of cemetery planning and design, the 13 acres of beauty and history that dates back to 1850 prove to be the perfect backdrop for a serene walk along the footpath that leads you past the final resting places of some of the city's most prominent residents.