Perhaps this should be called a VOLfest. That way we could all post in orange and sing Rocky-top.
I seem to be noticing more East TN Dopers lately, and I thought I’d toss this out for consideration.
I’d go to one. Why not? Sure, I tended to be lame and not make it to Bamadopes when I lived in Atlanta (or even to many of the Atlanta 'fests), but I’d definitely make a point of getting to one here.
I’m only about 4 hours from Memphis.
How east you talkin’ about? …
Well, I’m in Knoxville, so I was thinking this general area…might be a bit further than you’d like to drive, but of course you’d be welcome if you wanted to come.
Thanky kindly.
Hmm. Knoxville makes it 7 or 8 hours.
I’ll keep my eye on this thread; who knows what may happen.
’punha and I are in Southwest VA so if there was a KnoxDope we’d defintely be interested in it. Knoxville is only about 3 or so hours from here and it’d be nice to not have to drive a billion hours to get to a dopefest for once.
Yes, yes yes!
I have never been able to make it to a dopefest before and i would love to meet some of my fellow dopers in person!
Email me and let me know whats up . . .
Cha-Ching. I am this side of Sevierville and my hubby works in Knoxville. We could do it. The thing is I’ve never done this sort of thing (I know 1st timer, still a virgin). I asked hubby if he would go. He asked me what it was. I said it was a Dopefest. You can imagine the look I got. For months I think he was taking double takes as he passed by the computer and he’d see The Straight Dope logo. It took me awhile to convince him it’s not what he thought. So what exactly is it you do at a Dopefest?
Me: So, you wanna go to a Dopefest?
Hubby: What is a Dopefest?
Me: Not sure, just seeing if your interested.
Hubby: Yeah, I’ll go. This isn’t going to be a bunch of swingers is it?
Me: :rolleyes:
I’m interested.
I have classes this summer, but I would like to attend if my schedule permits.
I live in Murfreesboro, and I have a friend in Knoxville that I need to visit.
I’m there.
Gimme a date.
And then tell me when the fest is.
Well, I’m a long-time Doper/Low-Poster, but a newbie in the Appalachian Mountains. I’m in! 
I’m in Cleveland, which is outside Chattanooga. If it’s there or in Knoxville I might be able to swing it. It’ll be on a weekend, right?
Um, yeah. That’s what I get for skimming in the excitement of having a Dopefest close by. I see now that it’s planned for Knoxville. I might could do that.
How strict are the cops there? I don’t have insurance…
Joey, you in the 'boro? I’m about thirty miles to the north-north west of you.
My GF and I live in Atlanta, we could prolly make the drive up there. Better make it a weekend, though.
Ludo, you are from Boone? That is where all of my grandfather’s family is from.
I’d be interested in meeting some Dopers, but Knoxville is a bit far for me to drive. Perhaps we Memphis Dopers (all 3 or 4 of us) should just have our own BigMuddyDope at which we wistfully relive the Memphis-UT football game in 1996.
*Q: What was the longest drive in UT football history?
A: 1996. I-40 to Knoxville.*
Wow - I figured this thread would just sink and die, and I wake up to 15 responses.
Ashkicker, depending on the size of the dopefest, any number of things can be planned. The ones I went to in Atlanta mainly consisted of meeting somewhere, for dinner/drinks and conversation. If someone who’s not a drinker comes, that’s fine, as it’s just a social gathering. It’s just a chance to put faces to the screen names.
Are there any dates that jump out as absolutely no good for people this summer? I will be done with spring semester as of May 8 with summer classes starting June 2, but most weeks I’ll have one class Wednesday nights, except for the weekends of June 5-7, June 12-14 and July 10-12 (and I’m still debating whether to actually take that class instead of another class).
So, I’m pretty flexible. I’d love to look at some time in June, like the weekend of the 21st or 28th.
Also, there will definitely have to be suggestions of places - I’m not incredibly familiar with Knoxville restaurants. This, however, is something that can be figured out after there’s a date.
I think just about any weekend in June is good for punha and me.
I’ve only been to Knoxville a few times, usually for concerts, so I don’t know much about resturaunts there. I am fond of Calhouns though (it’s where I eat when I go to concerts). It’s on the river right down the road from Thompson Bowling Arena (did I spell that right?) and their food is great.
I’m sure a native Knoxvilleian can come up with a better suggestion.
I think hubby’s company picnic is June 22nd. So that date is out for me. As for restaurants…
Calhouns (mentioned above)
Copper Cellar
Italian Market & Grill
Baker Peters Jazz Club (it’s suppose to be haunted, click on history of restaurant to read more)
Carrabba’s Italian Grill
Chop House
Ye Old steak House (there original location burned last year, so they are know in the heart of Knoxville)
Aubreys (mmmmm…)
Tennessee Grill (at the boat house)
And then some of the more obvious…
Olive Garden
Red Lobster
Logans
Texas Roadhouse
Outback
Applebees
O’Charley’s
Ruby Tuesday
I’m interested…if I can convince a friend with a car to tag along, I could probably make it. May is pretty much out because of school and I’ll be in Pennsylvania for a few days right at the start of June, but I should be free all summer otherwise.
As for restaurants, I’m particularly fond of the Macaroni Grill myself. Haven’t been there in ages, but the food was great last time I was there.