THE 1982 WORLD'S FAIR: 40th ANNIVERSARY (published 5-22-2022; article #330)

Introduction

Let's brag on Knoxville - Knox County, Tennessee, a bit, shall we? My “Advance Knox Update” series has hammered the county a while – properly. (See, for example, my fourth article of yesterday.)

Forty years ago, I was a younger man. (I ain't old yet! I still feel my oats, on most days, despite my three 'bionic' joints.) Two friends, who are still friends, and I visited Knoxville's 1982 World's Fair (open May 1 through October 31), on Saturday, 10/16/1982. Tennessee Volunteer football fans were noticeable. We gathered, to hear the radio broadcast of the Tennessee - Alabama college football game! Multitudes of fans gathered around several speaker systems. Tennessee upset the number two-ranked Alabama Crimson Tide, 35 to 28! Tennessee Vol fans were celebrating! The international and out-of-state folks just looked confused. That was a great third Saturday in October!

The 1982 World's Fair

Early this morning, while looking around on my home office bookshelf, I found a postcard, with images of the 1982 World's Fair. The postcard folds out and contains fourteen images. The image below is only one.

I didn't remember that we still had the postcard. I'm glad that I found it. Ronald Reagan was the President. The USA was improving – economically and morally. As a 22-year-old young man, it was a good time to be alive. I had been one of many, to be laid off, by my employer, due to the waning effects of Jimmy Carter “stagflation.” (I had been working as a computer programmer-operator.) The young lady, whom I had been courting, had decided to be courted by another man. I had overcome that hurt. I was attending ETSU (East Tennessee State University), in Johnson City, TN. I was renting a small apartment. I was home on weekends. That was the basic setting of my life, “such as it was,” back then.

The 1982 World's Fair was a positive event – mostly. The financial trouble, by the Butcher brothers, was one negative aspect of the fair. (It is common knowledge.) The fair, however, was mostly beneficial. The fair was inspiring, in several aspects.

2022: 40th Anniversary

The 40th anniversary celebration, of the 1982 World's Fair, was yesterday. World's Fair Park had informational details.

Visit Knoxville has more details, including Stories from the World's Fair. Various other media published details. We saw what some of the local TV stations broadcast.

Mrs. Appalachian Irishman and I did not grace the 40th anniversary celebration, with our presence. We were too busy, with “life, such as it was,” events.

Conclusion

I am tempted to, but will not, get into another “poly-tics” theme! You are welcome to consider, in your minds, the differences, from 1982 to 2022 – in personal life and in national and global history.

My writings are on many themes. This website is my written journal and commentary, on various subjects. I'm glad that I found the 1982 World's Fair postcard. The distraction and reflection on life, over the last forty years, has been refreshing.

Dear Lord, refresh us with your Spirit! Fill us with your Spirit – as we turn to you! That is my prayer – individually, nationally, and globally.