1982 World's Fair

The 1982 World's Fair was a that took place in Knoxville, Tennessee in 1982.

History
After gaining a fake ID and rental car, Bart, Milhouse, Martin and Nelson decided to go on a road trip to visit the Knoxville World's Fair. When they arrive, however, they discover that the fair had taken place in 1982, and that the fair grounds are deserted and the buildings are falling apart. Nelson then threw a rock at the Sunsphere, the fair's major attraction, causing the large structure to topple over and crush their car, leaving the boys with no way to get home.

Behind the Laughter
The was a real fair held in Knoxville. However, unlike its depiction in the episode, the real fair is not a rundown mess, nor has the Sunsphere ever collapsed.