For Knoxville residents, the return of fall doesn’t just mean the return of pumpkin spice lattes and corn mazes. It also means the return of Movies on Market Square, an event that is highly anticipated by families and individuals around Knoxville. Movies in Market Square, now in its 16th year, is an event that takes place in the heart of downtown Knoxville and is put on by the Knox County Public Library and Knoxville TVA Employee Credit Union.
Movies on Market Square takes place on Friday nights from September 13 through October 18. Once the big screen is set up and the popcorn stands are open, Market Square is completely transformed into an outdoor movie theatre that is open to the public. Movies begin at dusk and everyone from children to well-behaved dogs are welcome to come. Moviegoers are also encouraged to bring a lawn chair or blanket to sit on so that they can comfortably enjoy the movie and the fall weather.
The movie line-up is decided by public vote and this year, nearly 1500 ballots were cast to decide which family-friendly movies would make the cut. This year’s line-up includes movies from five decades and kicked off with a tribute to 1985 with “Back to the Future” in honor of the year the Knoxville TVA Employee Credit Union was founded. Other movies being that hold a place in this year’s line-up include Pirates of the Caribbean, Jaws, Toy Story, Guardians of the Galaxy 2, and Beetlejuice.
All of the movies that are shown are rated PG-13, PG, or G, creating a very welcoming and family friendly atmosphere. During the months of September and October, families are able to spend their Friday nights outdoors while they enjoy watching a movie and spending time together as a family. Tina Belcher, a frequent attendee, explained that this is why she comes to the event so often.
“We come here a lot because its a fun way for us to spend our Friday night as a family,” she said. “They play movies that my kids love and adults love them too so it’s a good time for the whole family.”
Movies in Market Square is also located in the heart of downtown Knoxville and is surrounded by numerous shops and restaurants.
Since the outdoor movie theatre is located in such a convenient location, moviegoers are able to walk around Market Square and enjoy the fall weather by going to dinner or doing some shopping while they aren’t watching the movie. Jason Clark, another frequent attendee, likes to stop in at Tupelo Honey for dinner before the movie starts.
“When me and my wife bring our kids here, we usually go to Tupelo Honey for dinner,” he said. “It’s in walking distance and we love to eat there so it’s perfect. It’s kind of become a Friday night routine for us.”
Movies in Market Square is an event that combines a family friendly environment with a fun way to spend your Friday night. So grab a blanket or a lawn chair and join hundreds of others under the stars to enjoy a night centered around the big screen.
Carlyn Anderson 
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