The harsh, yet alluring, sounds of southern rock-and-roll music fill the air as the sun shines down from a cloudless sky. My skin is slowly turning crimson as I sip my crisp draft beer and observe crowds of people wandering from one artsy vendor to the next. Knoxville’s newly renovated Market Square, dating back to the mid-19th century and located in the heart of the city, has come alive with annual festival fun, local crafts and food as the Dogwood Arts Festival comes into full swing.

This city looks like every other burgeoning urban center, but has that air of southernness that you can find only in the southeastern part of the United States. The pace of life is just a little bit slower, the blazing sun that tends to show its face almost all year round leaves a permanent glow on the faces of the locals, and I don’t have to listen hard to hear that all-too-familiar sound of Southern accents.

The bright-white blossoms of the surrounding dogwood trees make a welcoming setting for someone who once came from the South then moved to the Northeast, then made her way out West, and is now on a quick visit to her “homeland.”

Being a connoisseur of warm weather, for me, springtime is the perfect time to visit the Southeast. With virtually everything in bloom and the sun showing its face almost every day, the opportunities for outdoor activities seem endless.

The Dogwood Arts Festival provides a perfect opportunity for local artisans to show off their handmade wares.

As I take in my surroundings I think about all that has happened in this growing city with small-town appeal. Although I am surrounded by modern restaurants and trendy shops, I consider for a moment the history of Knoxville and how it has changed so drastically over the years.

Founded by Governor William Blount in 1791, and named after President Washington’s secretary of war, Henry Knox, Knoxville is the third-largest city in Tennessee, and it’s full of history and traditional Southern culture. With various historic sites dating back to the Civil War and numerous museums and preserved homes, this small city has become a tourist destination.

Some visitors migrate to the South to feel part of history, others visit this city for its burgeoning arts, culture and music scene. With a population of around 175,000 and growing, Knoxville is slowly taking on a more modern appearance while managing to preserve its history.

To pay homage to the beauty of dogwoods in bloom, the city of Knoxville started the Dogwood Arts Festival in 1960, and over the years, the festival has grown into a grand display of local arts and culture. Held annually in early spring ( April 7-30, 2006) during dogwood blooming season, the festival draws visitors and festivalgoers from all over the nation. Almost all the vendors are from Tennessee, and shoppers can find crafts ranging from hand-blown glass to organic potpourri.

Although the festival grounds are located in a relatively small amount of space, I know from the start that I will need my full three-day stay to visit each of the more than 100 vendors located within the festival grounds. I am instantly delighted with all of the art and original handicrafts.

One of my favorite stops in the maze of booths is Genesis Glass (865-539-2359). As I stand in the midday sun, I am intrigued by the pieces of art that Evan Fridge, hot-glass artist, is producing at his makeshift studio in the center of the festival, and before I walk away, I guiltlessly purchase a one-of-a-kind glass bead as a souvenir.

Just a few blocks from the heart of the action is the Foothills Craft Guild Show, named for the surrounding East Tennessee Foothills, and held in conjunction with the festival. As I wander through the show, a friendly vendor explains to me that any artist or retailer can be a part of the festival, but to be a part of the Craft Guild, the vendor must make every part of their product themselves, no hired help allowed. Although only half the size of the festival, the Guild Show has much to offer to those in search of unique, traditional arts and crafts.

After about an hour of meandering from one interesting craftsman to the next, I come upon Jack Martin, of Hockaday Handmade Brooms (www.hhbrooms.com), a fourth-generation broom maker from Selmer, Tennessee. As he displays the tedious, yet intriguing, broom-making process for curious onlookers, Jack tells me about his craft and the long history behind it.