In an effort to bring even more tourists to Knoxville, efforts are underway to bring the Moon Pie Hall of Fame to the downtown area. Several other cities are trying to lure the Hall, including Soddy Daisy, Birmingham, and Bakersfield, CA. However, The Southern League of Moon Pie Eaters (SLMPE), who is developing the Hall, want to keep it in the south.
Staying with Knoxville’s tradition of putting large round things on top of pedestals, the museum’s most prominent feature will be a giant moon pie atop a small tower affixed to the roof of the hall. It will be visible to passers-by on I-40, who, after seeing the Sunsphere, Basketballsphere, and the new Moonsphere, will surely exit and tour the downtown area. This activity will spawn increased revenues until about 4 in the afternoon when all the restaurants close. Organizers say that they will ensure the Hall’s snackbar stays open until at least 5 to feed hungry tourists.
Ralph Mayberry, SLMPE spokesperson, told Knoxpatch.com that Knoxville is first on the list to host the Hall of Fame. “Soddy Daisy already has the Copper Basin nearby, Birmingham isn’t known to have many Moon Pie enthusiasts, and Bakersfield, well, it’s in California. Knoxville has a rich heritage in Southern foods, including Mountain Dew, so it just makes sense to build here,” said Mayberry.
Negotiations are underway now with the mayor’s office and the redevelopment board to have the final plans and city funding approved. Sources say work could begin as early as next spring. The Hall of Fame may also contain a section dedicted to Royal Crown Cola, a popular beverage used to wash down moon pies.