Downtown Knoxville Alliance introduces permanent scavenger hunt installation of ‘Newts in Knoxville’

Twelve slithering bronze sculptures have been integrated into the Downtown Knoxville landscape as part of a permanent outdoor scavenger hunt called “Newts in Knoxville.” 

“Locals and visitors alike love a scavenger hunt,” said Michele Hummel, executive director of the Downtown Knoxville Alliance. “They introduce a fun adventure to enhance visits to the heart of Knoxville and encourage folks to intentionally engage with their surroundings as they explore our vibrant downtown.” 

The scavenger hunt will be guided by a passport that participants can pick up at the Knoxville Visitors Center, 301 S. Gay St., Mast General Store, 402 S. Gay St., or online at knoxnewts.com, that provides clues and hints to help locate the newt sculptures. The passports also include fun tidbits about each sculpture, including the name, all of which start with the letter N.

The activity is designed with parameters to make it easy to access at any time with the location of sculptures in outside settings in a concentrated area, so that visitors can walk and explore in less than one hour. The scavenger hunt also is available to enjoy year-round.

“Newts in Knoxville is more than a scavenger hunt—it’s a shared adventure that brings our community together,” said Callie Blackburn, marketing director of the Downtown Knoxville Alliance. “Whether you’re a lifelong local or a first-time visitor, discovering these tiny sculptures sparks joy, curiosity, and creates a memorable connection to our downtown.”

Representing the Eastern newt, a type of salamander and class of amphibian, the sculptures were designed and created by renowned Knoxville artist Preston Farabow. The installation also gives a nod to the importance of salamanders in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

According to the National Park Service, “The Great Smoky Mountains are known as the ‘Salamander Capital of the World,’ boasting more species of salamanders than any other location on Earth.”

Natalea Cummings, general manager of Mast General Store, sparked the idea after being inspired by the “Mice on Main” scavenger hunt in Greenville, South Carolina, which also has a downtown Mast General Store. She brought the idea to now-retired Downtown Knoxville Alliance marketing director Robin Thomas, and the current marketing director, Callie Blackburn, saw the project to fruition. 

“We hope that our new amphibian ambassadors will bring so much enjoyment to downtown visitors, including individuals, families, couples and groups,” Hummel said. “We’ve studied and witnessed how scavenger hunts engage visitors and really provide a launching point for greater interaction when businesses get involved, and we’re anticipating that this will catch on with related merchandise, books and more.”

Visitors are invited to enjoy a newt-iful time with “Newts in Knoxville” and can learn more at downtownknoxville.org.

About the Downtown Knoxville Alliance

Ensuring a vibrant, flourishing downtown is the primary mission of the Downtown Knoxville Alliance (DKA). Formed in 1993 as a Central Business Improvement District (CBID), the district encompasses a 0.67-square-mile area and is supported by a special assessment to property owners that is used to make improvements, enhance services and promote downtown. The DKA continually focuses on attracting and retaining a thriving community of residents, businesses and visitors in Downtown Knoxville. For more information, visit downtownknoxville.org.