Kids Can Enjoy Free 'Read and Ride with Daniel Tiger' Event

Communications Director

Kristin Farley
[email protected]
(865) 215-2589

400 Main St., Room 691
Knoxville, TN 37902

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Kids Can Enjoy Free 'Read and Ride with Daniel Tiger' Event

Posted: 07/15/2016
Young children all over East Tennessee are invited to ride a Knoxville trolley with Daniel Tiger on Wednesday, July 20. 

The animated character, the star of “Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood,” is coming to Knoxville for “Read and Ride with Daniel Tiger.” Youngsters will meet at Lawson McGhee Library to ride the trolley with the character donning his iconic red sweater at 11 a.m. on July 20. 

“Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood,” a current nationwide preschool education television craze, is produced by the Fred Rogers Company as a spinoff of “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood.” 

“Neighbors” will have the opportunity to decorate Daniel Tiger masks at Lawson McGhee Library, located at 500 W Church Ave. before boarding a free trolley with Daniel himself in the flesh – er, fur. Aboard the trolley, Daniel’s neighbor guests will enjoy a book reading, as well.

“This is a great opportunity for youngsters and their families to learn about riding alternative transportation and to experience the impressive quality of our free trolley service,” said Dawn Distler, the City’s Transit Director.

“Read and Ride with Daniel Tiger” is presented by East Tennessee PBS, Knoxville Area Transit, Knox County Libraries and the City of Knoxville. Refreshments for the event are sponsored by Rita’s Italian Ice.

Trolleys are a free downtown City transportation service running on three routes:

• Blue Line (Daniel Tiger event route): Monday-Thursday, 7 a.m. -8 p.m., Fridays, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. (Every 7 minutes on Monday-Friday, every 15 minutes on Saturdays)
• Green Line: Monday-Thursday, 7 a.m.-8 p.m., Fridays 7 a.m. -10 p.m., and Saturdays 9 a.m. -10 p.m. Service to Summit Towers runs hourly from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Every 10 minutes)
• Orange Line: Monday-Thursday, 7 a.m. -8 p.m., Fridays, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. (Every 15 minutes)

Daniel is the four-year-old son of Daniel Striped Tiger off of the original “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood” television series. Daniel and his friends, Prince Wednesday, Katerina Kittykat, O the Owl, and Miss Elaina (all offspring of other characters from the original series), explore the lessons of toddler life, navigating through town on the local trolley (which bears a striking resemblance to Knoxville’s trolleys provided by Knoxville Area Transit, free to the public daily).

“Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood” is based on Fred Rogers’ childhood development teaching and has been praised for its lessons on emotional intelligence and human respect. 

Guests at the “Read and Ride with Daniel Tiger” event are encouraged to take a KAT route to the Lawson McGhee Library (www.katbus.com) or park at one of the three public parking garages:

• Locust Street: 540 Locust St.
• Market Square: 406 Walnut St.
• State Street: 520 State St.

For more information on Knoxville Area Transit, please visit www.katbus.com. For more information on “Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood,” please visit www.EastTennesseePBS.org