The 1982 World’s Fair Ends!
Knoxville, Tennessee hosted the World’s fair this year. President Ronald Reagan and the First Lady, Nancy Reagan, were here, on May 1, 1982, to officially open the fair. Actress Dinah Shore was the mistress of ceremonies, introducing the President and the other entertainers here for Knoxville's big day.
The World's Fair sprawled across part of downtown and the UT campus, over 72 acres of what used to be an old rail yard.
There was the Sunsphere, the centerpiece of the fair that still soars over Knoxville today. Back then, it held three restaurants and two observation decks.
It was surrounded by pavilions representing the culture and diversity of 22 countries, plus the United States: Australia, Belgium, Canada, China, Denmark, Egypt, France, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Japan, Korea, Luxembourg, Mexico, Netherlands, Peru, Philippines, Saudi Arabia, France, Germany, United Kingdom, Italy,
The Chinese Pavilion drew the largest crowds. It housed exhibits of Chinese culture and art, even pieces of the Great Wall of China. The Australian Pavilion was memorable for its giant windmills. The Egyptians brought their cultural treasures like bronze sculptures and hieroglyphic tablets. The Hungarian exhibit was highlighted by a giant Rubik's cube, which was created by a Hungarian man. In the Japanese Pavilion, robots took center stage, even one that could write your name! The Koreans brought traditional dancers and cuisine, and built a water wheel and pagoda over their entrance. Peru made a big splash, by actually unwrapping an ancient mummy, right on the stage of the Tennessee Amphitheatre. The mummy of a small child was then displayed in their Pavilion.
There were also restaurants and music venues featuring tastes and talents from around the globe. The popular Petro's restaurant got its start at the fair, as Petroleum Bellies. The chili and toppings were actually added to a Frito's bag, slit down the side.
Living up to its theme of "Energy Turns the World," some cutting edge technology made its debut at the World's Fair. From some of the first green homes to an alternative fuel vehicle, ideas that are still very relevant today were on display. Texaco showed off a brand new convenience they called "pay at the pump." And the car phone was first introduced!
Fair visitors were also thrilled they could get their pictures developed in just one hour, at the Kodak booth. There were lots of magical moments to capture on film from top entertainers who wowed the crowds to the nightly parades, complete with the electric train and its unforgettable theme song, and the fireworks that ended each day.
There really was something for everyone at the World's Fair.
Ask most people who were adults at the time where their favorite place was, and they'll probably say the Strohaus. It was an authentic German biergarten, complete with German food, beer, and chicken dancing, in the building that's now the Foundry. It drew a big crowd every night.
And for the kids, of all ages, it was Funland, located right on the waterfront and in the shadow of Neyland Stadium. It was full of amusement rides, including a giant ferris wheel that was the largest one in the western hemisphere, at 150 feet high.
It was just one of the thrilling rides enjoyed by the fair's 11 million visitors.
For 184 days in 1982, Knoxville was the place to be-- a world-wide attraction, a good time that's really something to be proud of.
Dickerson 573 words
Knoxville, Tennessee hosted the World’s fair this year. President Ronald Reagan and the First Lady, Nancy Reagan, were here, on May 1, 1982, to officially open the fair. Actress Dinah Shore was the mistress of ceremonies, introducing the President and the other entertainers here for Knoxville's big day.
The World's Fair sprawled across part of downtown and the UT campus, over 72 acres of what used to be an old rail yard.
There was the Sunsphere, the centerpiece of the fair that still soars over Knoxville today. Back then, it held three restaurants and two observation decks.
It was surrounded by pavilions representing the culture and diversity of 22 countries, plus the United States: Australia, Belgium, Canada, China, Denmark, Egypt, France, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Japan, Korea, Luxembourg, Mexico, Netherlands, Peru, Philippines, Saudi Arabia, France, Germany, United Kingdom, Italy,
The Chinese Pavilion drew the largest crowds. It housed exhibits of Chinese culture and art, even pieces of the Great Wall of China. The Australian Pavilion was memorable for its giant windmills. The Egyptians brought their cultural treasures like bronze sculptures and hieroglyphic tablets. The Hungarian exhibit was highlighted by a giant Rubik's cube, which was created by a Hungarian man. In the Japanese Pavilion, robots took center stage, even one that could write your name! The Koreans brought traditional dancers and cuisine, and built a water wheel and pagoda over their entrance. Peru made a big splash, by actually unwrapping an ancient mummy, right on the stage of the Tennessee Amphitheatre. The mummy of a small child was then displayed in their Pavilion.
There were also restaurants and music venues featuring tastes and talents from around the globe. The popular Petro's restaurant got its start at the fair, as Petroleum Bellies. The chili and toppings were actually added to a Frito's bag, slit down the side.
Living up to its theme of "Energy Turns the World," some cutting edge technology made its debut at the World's Fair. From some of the first green homes to an alternative fuel vehicle, ideas that are still very relevant today were on display. Texaco showed off a brand new convenience they called "pay at the pump." And the car phone was first introduced!
Fair visitors were also thrilled they could get their pictures developed in just one hour, at the Kodak booth. There were lots of magical moments to capture on film from top entertainers who wowed the crowds to the nightly parades, complete with the electric train and its unforgettable theme song, and the fireworks that ended each day.
There really was something for everyone at the World's Fair.
Ask most people who were adults at the time where their favorite place was, and they'll probably say the Strohaus. It was an authentic German biergarten, complete with German food, beer, and chicken dancing, in the building that's now the Foundry. It drew a big crowd every night.
And for the kids, of all ages, it was Funland, located right on the waterfront and in the shadow of Neyland Stadium. It was full of amusement rides, including a giant ferris wheel that was the largest one in the western hemisphere, at 150 feet high.
It was just one of the thrilling rides enjoyed by the fair's 11 million visitors.
For 184 days in 1982, Knoxville was the place to be-- a world-wide attraction, a good time that's really something to be proud of.
Dickerson 573 words