Cotton Candy Classic 5K

Cotton Candy Classic 5K

Join us for the 8th Annual Cotton Candy Classic 5K in 2026! We invite you to run, walk, or skip through all of the sights and sounds the fair has to offer! The race begins at Patriot Circle inside Chilhowee Park and begins starting at 8am.

Event Details

• Date: September 12, 2026
• Location: 3301 East Magnolia Ave, Knoxville, TN
• Start Time: 8 AM
• Registration Deadline: September 12th, Race Morning at 7:45 AM

Mission

All proceeds go to supporting the Tennessee Valley Fair Foundation. The mission of the Tennessee Valley Fair Foundation is to preserve East Tennessee’s heritage by promoting agricultural awareness, supporting educational programs, and cultivating youth development through scholarships and youth activities.

Registration Information

You can register on your smartphone device before checking in. Shirts are not guaranteed for week of registration after inventory runs out.

Registration Includes

• Cotton Candy Classic 5K shirt: if supplies available at time of registration
• Admission Tickets: 2 FREE admission tickets to the 2026 TN Valley Fair

Packet Pickup

Packet pickup will take place at 6:30 AM on the day of the race. Parking is free in the Beaman Street parking lot. Participants will walk through the tunnel and registration is to the right at the top of the hill.

Course Information

Course: https://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/5682662878

Learn More

Learn more about the Tennessee Valley Fair Foundation here.

Race URL

For more details, visit the official race page: Cotton Candy Classic 5K.