The report says Lil’ Smoky made its debut on October 10, after One Knoxville defeated Portland Hearts of Pine 3-1, and has since become a regular sight inside The Fort.
The idea reflects more than spectacle. Vacek connected the copper still to traditions in east Tennessee, while the device’s rough, homemade character matches the supporters’ identity. It is a piece of regional culture turned into a football ritual.
When One Knoxville scores, the report says Jason Mann pulls the actuator on a blue smoke grenade while Jacob Allen switches on the fan. The result is a brief burst of colour above the section - a celebration impossible to miss.
The current machine began with a copper demonstration still found in Johnson City. Giles King adapted it by removing the central column, adding air holes and installing a blower motor and fan powered by a rechargeable drill battery.
It was a considerable upgrade on the first system used at the stadium. That earlier version relied on an air duct painted copper, but the report says smoke stayed too low and its smell lingered, prompting complaints.
The original device was also damaged after a supporter kicked it following a penalty-shootout win over FC Tulsa in April 2025, Vacek said. That setback helped push King towards a sturdier design, developed with assistance from Mann and Mickey Rievley.
King reportedly remains proud of Lil’ Smoky but is still considering improvements, including better airflow and a taller chimney. The longer-term ambition is to keep it permanently at the stadium.
For now, the next One Knoxville goal should bring another burst from Section 118. If the machine’s designers get their way, Lil’ Smoky will become an even bigger part of the club’s matchday identity.