KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — The 1982 World's Fair was one of the biggest events in Knoxville's history, and people can purchase memorabilia from the fair today.
A pop-up shop was created on Gay Street in downtown Knoxville to celebrate the upcoming 40th anniversary of the fair. Most of the items come from a personal collection that the co-owner of Sweet P's BBQ has been curating for decades.
"I've been wanting to do this pop-up store idea for a few years now," said Chris Ford. "Then when I saw the 40th on the horizon and talking to Visit Knoxville, who is a great partner to all downtown businesses, I knew they were wanting to do some stuff. I was going to hold off and do a pop-up store."
Items like cookbooks, drinking cups and artwork are on sale at Bliss & Tori Mason Shoes on Gay Street. Some of the proceeds from the pop-up shop will be donated to the Sunsphere Fund, which helps preserve and maintain the iconic structure.
