Big Ears Festival aims to make big economic impact in Knoxville

Knoxville’s Big Ears Festival Expected to Have Significant Impact on the City

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT)—As the Big Ears Festival quickly approaches, event organizers are already assessing its expected impact on Knoxville.

Casey Fox helps organize the festival and said that every year, she’s seen the crowds and intrigue grow for the four-day event. She expects it to be a big boost for businesses in the city.

“About 70% of the people coming to the festival are coming from outside the Knoxville metro area, so they’re staying four or five nights in our hotels. They’re eating every meal downtown, and it’s a big boost to the local economy after the winter,” said Fox.

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Emphasis:

• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

The festival incorporates several venues across Knoxville and brings in artists from nationwide to perform.

Among the performances will be pieces composed by students at Fulton High School, who have had the chance to participate and work alongside artists at the festival for the last three years.

According to assistant band director David Miller, the school is a part of three different compositions, one of which uses trash and everyday items to make music.

“We’re using anything from the cans my wife used to make chili a few weeks ago to my cat litter jug. We’ve got buckets, and we’ve got glass bottles the kids have drunk out of,” said Miller.

Fox and Miller see this as an opportunity to give high school students valuable experience before they get a diploma.

“We showcase Knoxville to the world, but we want to make sure that while we have the world here in Knoxville, they’re getting involved with our young people,” said Fox.

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Emphasis:

• SDG 4: Quality Education
• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

Big Ears Festival will take place from March 21 through March 24.

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SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

   • Target 8.9: By 2030, devise and implement policies to promote sustainable tourism that creates jobs and promotes local culture and products.
   • Indicator 8.9.1: Tourism direct GDP as a proportion of total GDP and in growth rate.

   The article highlights the Big Ears Festival as a boost to the local economy, with visitors staying in hotels and eating every meal downtown. This aligns with SDG 8, which aims to promote decent work and economic growth. The festival’s impact on the local economy demonstrates the potential of sustainable tourism to create jobs and support local businesses.

2. SDG 4: Quality Education

   • Target 4.7: By 2030, ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development.
   • Indicator 4.7.1: Extent to which (i) global citizenship education and (ii) education for sustainable development (including climate change education) are mainstreamed in (a) national education policies; (b) curricula; (c) teacher education; and (d) student assessment.

   The article mentions that students from Fulton High School have had the opportunity to participate and work alongside artists at the festival for the last three years. This provides valuable experience for the students and aligns with SDG 4, which aims to ensure quality education for all. The involvement of high school students in the festival promotes their knowledge and skills development in the arts and cultural sector.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Table

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Source: wvlt.tv

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