The Sunsphere Fund

Visit Knoxville created the Sunsphere Fund with support from Knox County and the City of Knoxville in 2019 to preserve and maintain this historic structure. Monies from the fund are utilized for enhancements to the experience of the 4th floor Observation Deck. The goal is to enhance the structure for the enjoyment of groups and individuals for generations to come. The fund is operated and overseen by Visit Knoxville. The Sunsphere is owned by the City of Knoxville and promoted like other attractions by Visit Knoxville. 

You can make donations of any amount through PayPal via the DONATE button below.
All donations are appreciated. For optional ways to donate, please contact sunspherefund@knoxville.org.


SUNSPHERE MERCHANDISE NOW AVAILABLE

 

 Sunsphere and Tickets

Hand-Crafted Glass Ornament of the Sunsphere

The idea for this ornament originated with Knoxville natives Guinn and Derek Boyce. The couple wanted to give back to the city they are proud to call home and reached out Joy to the World Collectibles, a Knoxville-based company that has been creating the world’s finest holiday ornaments since 1988. The Boyces also contacted the City of Knoxville and Visit Knoxville to find out how proceeds from the sale of the ornament could benefit the Sunsphere. To learn more about Guinn and Derek Boyce and the story behind their passion for the Sunsphere, click here.

Cost of the ornament is $65 plus tax. Five dollars from the purchase of each ornament will go to the Sunsphere Fund. 
Limited quantities of these special ornaments are available for purchase at the Knoxville Visitors Center Gift Shop or online below. 

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Sunsphere Sunsphere Sunsphere

Sunsphere Ornament Sunsphere Ornament Sunsphere Ornament 3

 

 

My Friend the Sunsphere book

My Friend the Sunsphere​ Book

Ms. A. D. Asher created My Friend the Sunsphere to inspire children to fall in love with Knoxville, this city they’re growing up in or even just visiting. Asher admired the Sunsphere as a child when her family attended the World’s Fair, and has cherished it for 13 years as a Knoxville resident. When she learned that Visit Knoxville had created the Sunsphere Fund, she knew her book would be a perfect fit. This full-color, hardcover treasure contains over 110 original photographs that show a family enjoying a wonderful day of adventures in Knoxville. The entertaining story, from the viewpoint of a delightful child who introduces Mom and Dad to a very special friend, will bring families closer as they read and laugh together.

Asher is pleased to partner with Visit Knoxville, with $5 from the sale of each book going toward The Sunsphere Fund. Limited quantities are available at the Visitors Center Gift Shop or online.

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To discuss ways to partner with Visit Knoxville on items to benefit the Sunsphere Fund,
please contact sunspherefund@knoxville.org


 

THE SUNSPHERE: IN GOOD COMPANY

Since 1982, the Sunsphere, the symbol of the 1982 World’s Fair, has served as an iconic feature of the Knoxville skyline. It’s the only structure of its kind in the world. When you consider other structures created for other World's Fairs, you realize the significance of our sunsphere.

 

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE SUNSPHERE & ITS HISTORY

After the World’s Fair, with brief exception, the Sunsphere was closed to the public. It reopened after renovation in 2007. In 2014, in an effort to provide an enhanced experience for visitors and locals, Visit Knoxville updated the 4th Floor Observation Deck with new graphics and information on Knoxville and the World’s Fair. Since that time the Sunsphere has welcomed countless visitors from (rather appropriately) around the world.