Family-friendly events
Our events provide welcome relief and enrichment for children with special needs, their families, and caregivers within our 16-county service area
Our Events
Check out our annual family events & fundraisers below!
Families: please ask your Service Coordinator and/or Developmental Therapist for more information about these events.
Knoxville Zoo Day
Zoo Knoxville plays host to hundreds of families in the special needs community as they enjoy fellowship, animal watching, a picnic lunch in the pavilion, and more zoo fun!
Saturday, April 12, 2025, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Sponsored by:
Chandler Farm Day
Specifically for people of all ages who are deaf or hard of hearing (and their friends and family), this day on the farm features train rides, farm animals, games, food and homemade ice cream.
Saturday, April 26, 2025, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Sponsored by:
Tennessee Smokies Baseball
Take me out to the ballgame! We treat families to an afternoon at the ballpark to cheer on the Tennessee Smokies. Children and adults alike love this outing featuring America’s “favorite pastime.” Batter up!
Sunday, June 1, 2025 – Game begins at 2 p.m. at Covenant Health Park
Sponsored by:
Concord-Farragut
Raja & Michelle Jubran
Family Encouragement Conference
In partnership with Cedar Springs Presbyterian Church and Joni & Friends and established by a generous gift from the Formall Company in honor of Karen Hollingsworth, this event is a day when families come away with a renewed sense of hope and with information to best help them to help their child with special needs. View the 2025 event keynote address here!
Saturday, June 28, 2025 – 8:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. at Cedar Springs Presbyterian Church
Sponsored by:
Formall
Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies
Always a popular event, families can spend the day perusing all the marine wonders housed at this amazing facility in Gatlinburg.
Wednesday, August 27, 2025
Sponsored by:
Axle Logistics, Knoxville TVA Employees Credit Union, Old Mill, Palmetto Homes, Tennessee State Bank, Workshop Tools, and Performance Foods
A Visit to the Pumpkin Patch
Deep Well Farm in Lenoir City is the setting for this fall favorite, featuring hay ride, games, and spectacular playground!
Tuesday, October 28, 2025
Sponsored by:
Family Christmas Movie Night
The annual screening of a Christmas movie classic is open to people of all ages (and their friends and family) in the special needs community. Wear your jammies and enjoy giveaways and refreshments with Santa.
Saturday, December 13, 2025, 3 – 5 p.m.
Sponsored by:
Concord-Farragut
FUNDRAISER: Butterfly Run
Originally created to benefit East Tennessee Children’s Hospital, this family-friendly event features kids’ activities, a 3K timed race and 1-mile walk/run/wheelchair. Click here to see highlights from the 2024 event and click here to register!
Saturday, March 29, 2025 at Springbrook Park in Alcoa
FUNDRAISER: Bill Williams Charity Fishing Tournament
Hosted by the Greater Knoxville Sertoma, this tournament sees anglers from near and far gather on area lakes to show their skill in landing the largest haul.
Saturday, March 29, 2025, 7 a.m. – 3 p.m.
FUNDRAISER: Mother’s Day Campaign
Donate today to receive our specially commissioned Mother’s Day card for your mom and any special person in your life. All proceeds benefit the organization.
Remember, Mother’s Day is May 11! Click here to learn more.
Send a message of love while supporting the babies – order our 2025 card today! (Suggested donation = $10 per card)
FUNDRAISER: Celebrate Sound Walk
Held in conjunction with Greater Knoxville Sertoma, this event highlights preventable hearing loss and raises money for organizations that help the hearing impaired.
Sunday, September 21, 2025, 2 – 5 p.m. at UT Gardens
FUNDRAISER: Lindsey Nelson Golf Tournament
Honoring the late broadcasting legend Lindsey Nelson, this annual four-man scramble is hosted by the Concord/Farragut Sertoma Club and includes cart and green fees, a box lunch, goody bag, awards ceremony, and lots of prizes. Click here for the entry form!
Tuesday, August 5, 2025, 11 a.m. registration, 1 p.m. shotgun start, 6 p.m. awards ceremony at Avalon Golf Course
FUNDRAISER: Jazz, Baby!
Our signature fundraising event brings people together for a seated dinner and live auction set to mellow jazz tunes.
Thursday, September 25, 2025, 6 – 8:30 p.m. at Mill & Mine
How to Participate
If you are a family served by Tennessee’s Early Intervention System, simply enroll for any of our events directly through your TEIS Service Coordinator or Early Interventionist. All of our family events are provided at no cost to families who live in the following counties: Anderson, Blount, Campbell, Claiborne, Cocke, Grainger, Hamblen, Jefferson, Knox, Loudon, Monroe, Morgan, Roane, Scott, Sevier, and Union. Please email us with questions and we hope to see you soon!
What Are Friends For?
Our organization exists to provide a bedrock of support to babies and young children with special needs, their families and caregivers, and the professionals who serve them. We work side by side with early intervention programs to fill in the gaps and provide assistance that a family with specific, urgent needs often just can’t get anywhere else. Family-focused events provide welcome relief and enrichment to children with special needs and those who love them.
Events need volunteers!
Whether the event is designed for family enjoyment or to raise much-needed funds to support our programs, all our events require volunteers to ensure they run smoothly.
A few hours of time can make a huge difference in the life of a special child. Email us to learn more or click the link below to volunteer for the events of your choice!
Friends of Tennessee's Babies with Special Needs 