Today Forester Jeff visits Knoxville, Tennessee on his way back to Newtown, CT. Pictured here is Forester Jeff in front of the Knoxville Sunsphere the site of the 1982 World’s Fair. According to information cited from “City Data” the Sunsphere was the first spherical building ever built in the U.S.! The theme of the 1982 World’s Fair was energy, with the Sunsphere tower representing the sun. The Sunsphere towers over Knoxville at a height of 266 feet, weight of 600 tons and according to some, a diameter of 85.5 feet to represent the sun which is calculated to be roughly 850.000 miles wide in diameter. The outside glass is covered with 24 karat gold dust all built into seven different shaped panes of glass. There are 360 panes one for each degree on the compass making a total glass area of 14,000 square feet. The Sunsphere is considered an eight story building with three street levels of elevator entrance, level four an observation deck, level five “The Icon Restaurant and Lounge” and levels six through eight are reserved for special event rentals. Forester Jeff visited the Worlds Fair in May of 1982 and paid $2.00 for entrance to the observation deck. Sadly after the Worlds Fair closed, so did the Sunsphere, which then remained vacant and unused for the most part until 2007. The people of Knoxville are proud of their Sunsphere and with support from the Knoxville City Mayor; the Sunsphere was reopened to the public on its 25th Anniversary in 2007. Today I am happy to report the observation deck is free and open to the public daily from 9 AM – 10 PM EST. The Icon lounge restaurant is open Tuesday – Sunday 6 PM – 12 AM. If you are traveling south near Knoxville, TN you will enjoy the free visit to the Sunsphere!
Forester Jeff is back to Newtown, Connecticut! Be sure to contact Yacko and Sons Tree Service staff forester Jeff for your free TREE LOOK-UP FROM THE TRUNK-UP! jeff@yackoandsons.com or 203-733-9219.
