Farewell to the Smokies: Fans Reflect on the End of an Era in Kodak

As the Tennessee Smokies prepare to bid farewell to their longtime home in Kodak, fans gathered for the final regular season game at Covenant Health Park, sharing their cherished memories and hopes for the team's future in Knoxville.

Saying Goodbye to a Beloved Ballpark

The Smokies' move to Knoxville's new stadium next season marks the end of an era for the team and its loyal fanbase. Brent Atchley, a longtime Smokies season ticket holder, has been attending games at the Kodak stadium since it opened in 2000. He fondly recounts the team's memorable playoff runs, including last year's journey to the postseason."I love the team we have now, especially the team last year," Atchley said. "I made all the playoff games last year, the one in Chattanooga and drove to Pensacola. So it was a great year last year, and I'm ready to do it again this year."Atchley's late brother, Bryan Atchley, who served as the mayor of Sevierville from 1995 to 2018, was a passionate Smokies fan. Brent Atchley has made it a point to attend every game this season to honor his brother's memory and the team's legacy in Kodak."I decided I would go ahead and attend every game this year, and I made it," Atchley said. "It's tough to know it's the last season game, but we'll be back Tuesday night in the playoffs. It's tough being here for the last season game."

Cherishing Memorable Moments

Over the years, Atchley has witnessed some unique and amusing moments at the Kodak stadium. He fondly remembers an incident during the team's inaugural season in 2000, when a hill caught fire from a firework, and an attempt to sing the Canadian national anthem."I remember the opening night back in 2000, won't embarrass Scott but mentioning his name, but he had to sing the Canadian national anthem since we were with the Blue Jays," Atchley recalled. "He tried two or three times to go, 'Oh, Canada.' And that's as far as he got, so he took the words out."These quirky moments have become part of the Smokies' rich history, adding to the overall experience for fans like Atchley.

A New Era in Knoxville

While Atchley won't be a season ticket holder once the team moves to Knoxville, he plans to continue supporting the Smokies, regardless of their new home. The proximity of the new stadium in Knoxville will make it more accessible for fans like Will Jaggers, who has been attending Smokies games since he was a child."I live in Blount County, Louisville, near the airport. And so I'll be 15 minutes from the new stadium versus 40 or so from where we're at now," Jaggers said. "But I'm very stoked about it. We're big Smokies fans here."Jaggers hopes that the team's move to Knoxville will not only bring the Smokies closer to their fans but also inspire continued support and enthusiasm for the team."I just want people to support them when they move downtown and, go Smokies," Jaggers said. "I hope that they win by 20 runs, but probably not likely."As the Smokies prepare to embark on a new chapter in Knoxville, the memories and traditions forged in Kodak will forever be etched in the hearts of their loyal fans. The team's postseason journey begins on Tuesday, as they take on the Birmingham Barons, with the hope of adding one more championship to their storied legacy.