Project #1: 9th Annual Cattywampus Parade & Block Party

Cattywampus Puppet Council is seeking SOUP funding to support our annual community arts Parade & Block Party and its associated programming occurring between January-May 2026. Now entering its 9th year, this public art event brings together diverse and intergenerational cross-sections of our greater Knoxville community to play, create, and build relationships with one another. Individuals of all ages are invited to create giant puppets, costumes, and other art and then come together to parade as one. This free event hosted at Suttree Landing Park is open to all and includes a block party to follow featuring performances by local youth and adult artists, food trucks, and art & play activities for all ages. Although the parade itself is a one day event, programming leading up to it begins months in advance and includes: *10 Youth Art Residencies with K-8th students at various community partner sites. These 9-week residencies are offered free of charge and designed with each partner to meet the specific needs of its youth and families. Using our innovative curriculum, Cattywampus teaching artists and youth interns support students at each site in designing and creating their own giant puppets and parade art inspired by the year’s theme. As the culmination of this project, students then form their own parade crews and have the opportunity to share their creations with the community. 2025 community partner sites included: Centro Hispano afterschool programs at Belle Morris Elementary, Norwood Elementary, West View Elementary, Lonsdale Elementary & Pellissippi State Community College Boys & Girls Clubs of TN Valley sites at Vestal, Montgomery Village, and North Ridge Crossing The Shora Foundation The Wesley House *A paid Youth Intern Program which trains high schoolers as teaching artists and pairs them with the above residencies. *Free Community Workshops and Open Studio Days for organizations, neighborhoods, schools, and other individuals interested in making art and organizing their own parade crews. *1:1 Material & Design Support for Schools & Community Organizations interested in creating art for the parade. Past organizational partners include: Rooted East, CAC, Beardsley Farm, Vine Middle, South Knox Elementary, and many others. *The Knox Honkers & Bangers, Cattywampus’s all inclusive community marching band initiative. Composed of more than 75+ musicians and dancers, this band is open to all adults regardless of experience and helps lead the Parade each year.

Project #2: "Urban Outposts" Series

For 15 years InsideofKnoxville.com has largely focused on Downtown Knoxville and its environs, drawing about 120,000 pageviews a month. But a 2025 reader survey told us something important: people want to hear more about their own neighborhoods—the tucked-away, family-owned spots that give each community its character. In July we launched "Urban Outposts," a new series highlighting the local gems that make up Knoxville’s “urban fringe.” Our first feature, "Fantastic Worlds of Fountain City," introduced readers to small businesses Fable Hollow Coffee & Bookshoppe, The Kraken’s Cup, and Sci-Fi City. The next edition, "Gems of Colonial Village," included KnoxFill, European Bakery, and Thai Time. With SOUP support, we’ll expand the series into more neighborhoods, shining a light on Knoxville’s small businesses and hidden gems.

Project #3: Bashun's Bridge

Bashun's Bridge is a way to connect grief to purpose, pain to progress. Here, we talk about the hard stuff: overdose deaths, stigma, addiction, grief, guilt, and the things most people avoid. We’ll share stats and stories. We’ll raise awareness and raise our voices. And we’ll say the names of the ones we’ve lost — because silence never saved anybody. My mission is to break the stigma surrounding addiction and overdose by creating a space for education, advocacy, and connection. Bashun’s Bridge exists to raise awareness, share resources, and honor the humanity behind the statistics. Through storytelling, outreach, and community engagement, we aim to build bridges between grief and healing, silence and truth, judgment and compassion.

Project #4: After-School Healthy Cooking Program

This funding will support healthy cooking classes for students in South Knoxville after-school programs that serve low-income children and families. Our fully hands-on classes teach fundamental cooking skills, nutrition literacy, and confidence in preparing delicious, healthy meals. Our program empowers children to try new foods, gain confidence, and develop skills they carry into their homes and beyond. During a six-class series, students split into small groups, with each group cooking a different recipe from start to finish. This structure allows students to practice different cooking skills, take pride in their dish, and experience a wide variety of vegetables, whole grains, and legumes. At the end of each class, they set the table and sit down together to share a meal of at least three different healthy dishes. At the end of the series, each student receives