After the success of Expo '74 in the relatively small town of Spokane, Knoxville decided to host a world's fair focused on the theme of energy, an important issue of the late 1970's that ended up not being as urgent by 1982.
Today, the Sunsphere still stands in Knoxville and has become the city's symbol.
The Energy Express Theme (The 1982 World's Fair Parade)
1982 World's Fair Promotional Video
1982 World's Fair Overview
Home movie
Home movie
Quick Info
opening date
01 May 1982
closing date
31 October 1982
theme
"Energy Turns the World"
site description
former railroad yard adjacent to downtown Knoxville and the University of Knoxville
site size
29 hectares (72 acres)
participating countries
22
attendance
11.1 million
status
BIE specialized exposition
(Class II)
Mascots
The 1982 World's Fair did not have an official mascot, but the site did feature six characters that walked around the site, posing for photos.
Unfortunately, not much else is known about these characters or even if they'd been named. Shown here are three of the characters as depicted on souvenir pins.
Any further information via email or by phone (1.650.ASK.EXPO) is always appreciated.