☀️ Today’s Weather
Overcast skies over Johnson City today. High 56°F, Low 35°F. 0% chance of rain.
😄 Joke of the Day
A Knoxville man visited Johnson City and asked a local, “What’s there to do around here?” The local thought for a second and said, “Well, this weekend you could catch a beer festival, an art show, a car show, a jazz festival, AND a baseball game all within walking distance.” The Knoxville man stared blankly and replied, “So you’re saying I should’ve moved here sooner?” The local nodded. “Everyone figures that out eventually.”
🧠 Trivia Q&A
Question: Johnson City’s Tapestry at Roan Hill celebrated its ribbon-cutting this week. It was built to house former residents of which historic downtown Johnson City building — and how many apartment homes does Tapestry at Roan Hill include?
Answer: Tapestry at Roan Hill was built to house former residents of the John Sevier Center (the century-old former John Sevier Hotel). The complex includes 145 newly constructed apartment homes, designed specifically for seniors and individuals with disabilities.
🔝 Top Stories
Tapestry at Roan Hill Officially Opens for Former John Sevier Center Residents
A new beginning is taking shape for dozens of families in Johnson City with the opening of Tapestry at Roan Hill, a new low-income apartment complex designed to welcome residents from the former John Sevier Center as well as new tenants. City leaders marked the opening with a ribbon-cutting celebration. The complex includes 145 new rooms, along with a community room, a mail room, a fitness center, and outdoor space. Utilities, cable, and internet are inclusive, which residents say saves a lot of money. Developers said the project is intended to preserve affordability while improving living conditions.
‘No Kings’ Protests Planned — and Held — Across the Tri-Cities This Weekend
The March 2026 No Kings protests (also called No Kings 3) are a planned coordination of peaceful protests that took place on March 28, 2026. Locally, protesters gathered from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Johnson City along State of Franklin Road between University Parkway and Sevier Street, organized by Indivisible TriCities TN, while demonstrations also took place in Abingdon, VA. The Johnson City Police Department issued a statement affirming it respects the right of individuals to engage in peaceful assemblies and reminded the public of permitting requirements and pedestrian access rules. JCPD stated its mission is to protect the safety, rights, and freedoms of all individuals in the community — a commitment that guides its approach each and every day.
ETSU Baseball Rallies Past VMI 6-5 in SoCon Home Opener
The ETSU baseball team battled back from a couple of different deficits to knock off VMI by a score of 6-5 on Friday from Thomas Stadium, boosting ETSU’s record to 18-6 overall and 3-1 in SoCon play. The Bucs are now 15-1 at Thomas Stadium this season. Nate Conner went 2-for-4 with a home run and drove in four of ETSU’s six runs. The series continues Saturday, March 28 at 2 p.m. and Sunday, March 29 at 1 p.m. at Thomas Stadium.
St. Patrick’s Day Main Street Days Sets Record with 13,000 Attendees
Main Street Days is being hailed as a big win for downtown Johnson City after drawing more than 13,000 people for a St. Patrick’s Day event — making it the largest festival in Washington County outside of the Appalachian Fair. Organizers said visitors spent nearly two hours downtown, shopping, eating, and checking out more than 100 vendors. Business owners reported strong sales, with some saying it was their best day ever — even surpassing Black Friday. Organizers said events like Main Street Days continue to bring in new customers and boost the local economy.
ETSU Civility Week Wraps Up with ABC’s John Quiñones as Headliner
ABC correspondent and host John Quiñones headlined ETSU’s Civility Week, asking East Tennessee State University students the show’s signature question: “What would you do?” Civility Week is a time of reflection for the ETSU community, encouraging open dialogue and understanding and strengthening bonds. Quiñones spoke at the D.P. Culp Student Center to discuss the values that inspired his show and to honor the institution’s week commemorating ethics and morality. ETSU Civility Week ran through March 28.
Johnson City Brewing Announces Closure of Downtown Main Street Taproom
Johnson City Brewing announced the closing of their Main Street Taproom, with the owners stating they will not be renewing their lease. The announcement, shared via social media, marks the end of an era for the beloved downtown craft beer spot that has been a staple of the Johnson City brewery scene. The news comes even as the city plans the April 18 Thirsty Orange Beer Festival — which will itself be a celebration of craft beer culture in downtown Johnson City. The broader downtown area continues to see new businesses emerging, even as longtime establishments transition.
Ribbon Cutting Held for Tapestry at Roan Hill — State and Local Leaders Celebrate
Local, state, and federal representatives came together for a ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Tapestry at Roan Hill apartment complex this week. The official opening marks the culmination of years of planning and construction aimed at providing quality affordable housing for low-income seniors and individuals with disabilities displaced from the John Sevier Center. From the nearly 100-year-old building, 145 residents are moving to the new affordable housing community located at 2162 South Roan Street. The Tapestry at Roan Hill is located a mile and a half from the former John Sevier Center; a transit bus stop is located in front of the property and it’s next to a Food City grocery store.
Read more at Johnson City Press
‘No Kings’ Protests: JCPD Releases Statement on Peaceful Assembly
The Johnson City Police Department issued a statement regarding protests planned around the region this Saturday. The nationwide “No Kings” protests took place across the Tri-Cities, including Kingsport and Abingdon, as part of “No Kings Day” — a protest against the Trump administration held on the same day as a military parade in Washington, D.C. The protest in Kingsport began with a convoy of decorated cars starting in Jonesborough, going through Johnson City and Bristol, before heading to the Model City. Terryl Yates with Indivisible Tri-Cities said the point of the event is to show people they have a point of view worth hearing, adding that everyone in the movement has a different focus.
📅 Upcoming Events
Cruising for a Cause Car Show — Sunday, March 29
Date/Time: Sunday, March 29, 2026 | 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM (Registration at 10:30 AM; Awards at 2:00 PM)
Location: Washington Co./Johnson City Animal Shelter
The car community can show their support for the Washington Co./Johnson City Animal Shelter at the Cruising for a Cause Car Show. Entry costs $10. It’s a great opportunity for car enthusiasts and animal lovers alike to come together for a worthy cause right here in the Tri-Cities.
Northeast State Spring Career Fair — Wednesday, April 1
Date/Time: Wednesday, April 1, 2026 | 1:30 PM – 4:30 PM
Location: Northeast State Community College Ballad Health Center for the Performing Arts, 2425 Highway 75, Blountville, TN 37617
The Career & Workforce Development Center at Northeast State Community College is excited to host the 2026 Spring Career Fair. Employers from across the region will be sharing information about available job openings and career opportunities within their organizations. This event offers a wonderful opportunity for job seekers to network with employers representing a wide range of career fields. This event is free of cost and open to job seekers from the public.
Johnson City Jazz Festival — April 16–19, 2026
Date/Time: Thursday–Sunday, April 16–19, 2026
Location: Multiple venues — Capone’s (Downtown JC), ETSU Martin Center’s Powell Recital Hall, and Jackson Theatre in Jonesborough
The festival kicks off with more than half a dozen regional ensembles performing curated sets and improvisational jam sessions at Capone’s in Downtown Johnson City — free to attend, with tips for performers encouraged. On Friday, April 17, festivities move to the ETSU Martin Center’s Powell Recital Hall, featuring Moon Unit (a guitar trio from Durham) and acclaimed New York jazz vocalist Emma Hedrick and her Quintet. The festival will conclude on Sunday, April 19 at the Jackson Theater in Jonesborough, featuring the ETSU Jazz Ensemble and the Tri-Cities Jazz Orchestra.
Read more at Johnson City Jazz Festival
Thirsty Orange Beer Festival 2026 — Saturday, April 18
Date/Time: Saturday, April 18, 2026 | 1:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Location: Founders Park, 225 Commerce Street, Downtown Johnson City
Thirsty Orange Beer Festival returns on Saturday, April 18, 2026 for a full day of sampling 150+ craft beers, ciders, and meads from breweries across the region. Expect great drinks, food trucks, and a true beer-festival atmosphere in the heart of downtown. April is Tennessee Craft Beer Month, and Thirsty Orange is a proud sponsor of Tri-Cities Craft Beer Week. Tickets are available online.
Art•Struck Festival — Saturday, April 25
Date/Time: Saturday, April 25, 2026 | 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Location: The Pavilion at Founders Park, 105 W. Main St., Downtown Johnson City
The Art•Struck Festival brings together artists and arts organizations to celebrate and support the arts community, offering high-quality artwork for sale to the public, arts demonstrations, and activities for all ages. The Johnson City Public Art Committee selected 56 artists to booth at the 2026 festival after receiving over 100 applications. The festival is organized by the City of Johnson City’s public art committee, an active group of art-loving, City-appointed volunteers.
Read more at Art•Struck Festival
Forever Fest: West Walnut Block Party — Friday, April 24
Date/Time: Friday, April 24, 2026 | 4:30 PM – 9:00 PM
Location: West Walnut Street, Johnson City
Forever Fest: West Walnut Block Party is slated for April 24, 2026, from 4:30 PM to 9:00 PM. The street block party is part of the growing Johnson City festival season. Check the Visit Johnson City events calendar for more details and lineup announcements as the date approaches.
Read more at Visit Johnson City
ETSU Baseball vs. VMI (Game 2) — Saturday, March 28
Date/Time: Saturday, March 28, 2026 | 2:00 PM
Location: Thomas Stadium, ETSU Campus, Johnson City
Game 2 of the ETSU vs. VMI SoCon series takes place Saturday, March 28 at 2 p.m., followed by Game 3 on Sunday, March 29 at 1 p.m. Coming off Friday’s come-from-behind 6-5 victory, the Bucs improve to 18-6 overall and 3-1 in the SoCon, and are now 15-1 at Thomas Stadium this season. Tickets and schedule information are available on the ETSU Bucs website.