The public and members of the Knoxville Chamber of Commerce will get the opportunity to enjoy each of the city’s main parks during the summer, with the launch of a new Chamber-sponsored event.

Out for Lunch will be held on the fourth Thursday of the month in May, June and July; the first event on May 23rd will be at Youngs Park, followed by one on June 27th at the new Panther Park and on July 25th at Auld Park.

Hannah Vander Veer from the Knoxville Chamber tells KNIA/KRLS News the object is not only to get Chamber members together, but to give people cooped up in their offices all day a chance to enjoy themselves outdoors.

“People are working really, really hard and we have to be productive and get our work done; but it’s actually more productive and healthier for you to take a lunch break.

“Some people just work right through their lunch, and sometimes we have to do that; but we just want to encourage to not do that as often and give them an excuse to set aside some time to get outside and take that full lunch break,” Vander Veer says.

Each event runs from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. There will be a grill with free food provided by Hy-Vee, and each is open to the general public.

The Knoxville Wellness Coalition is sponsoring the event along with the Chamber, Hy-Vee and KNIA/KRLS; the Lil’ Big Red Radio will be on hand for each Out for Lunch gathering, playing music and helping to entertain the crowd.

For more on Out for Lunch, tune in to today’s edition of Let’s Talk Knoxville.