☀️ Today’s Weather
Saturday, March 28, 2026 — Clear skies. High 56°F, Low 36°F. 0% chance of rain. A great day to get outside, Kingsport!
😄 Joke of the Day
A tourist stopped a local on Broad Street and said, “I heard Kingsport is called the ‘Model City’ — does that mean everyone here is good-looking?” The local thought for a second and said, “Well, it means we’re well-planned. But honestly, the two aren’t mutually exclusive.”
🧠 Trivia Q&A
Question: Kingsport’s downtown Heritage Trail stretches for how many miles, and along how many historically significant signs — each equipped with a QR code for deeper exploration?
Answer: The Heritage Trail is 2 miles long and features 24 signs, each with a QR code linking to more history about the destination.
🔝 Top Stories
Kingsport Police Squash Viral Facebook Rumor About Fentanyl-Laced Coupons
The Kingsport Police Department is working to calm community concerns after social media posts began circulating claiming that coupons contaminated with fentanyl were being placed on vehicles in the area. A KPD release shared Friday states that circulating social media posts claim items like coupons, contaminated with fentanyl, are being put on vehicles in the area. KPD moved quickly to address the rumor and urged residents to be cautious about sharing unverified information online. Residents are encouraged to rely on official KPD communications for accurate public safety information rather than social media speculation. If you have a genuine public safety concern, contact Kingsport Police directly.
Read more at Kingsport Times News
Industry Drive to Temporarily Close for Repairs This Weekend
Drivers in the Kingsport area are advised to plan alternate routes this weekend as a key road undergoes maintenance work. According to information provided by the city of Kingsport, Industry Drive will be closed to thru traffic from 8:30 a.m. Friday to 9 p.m. Sunday, with work expected to take place near the railroad overpass. The closure is expected to affect commuters and local business traffic in the area, so residents should allow extra travel time. The city has not announced a detour route, so drivers are advised to use caution and check local traffic conditions before heading out.
Read more at Kingsport Times News
Grand Funk Railroad to Headline Kingsport’s Red, White & BOOM on July 4th
Kingsport’s fifth-annual Independence Day celebration just got a major headliner announcement. Rock band Grand Funk Railroad will headline Kingsport’s fifth-annual Red, White and BOOM Independence Day Celebration, with the annual event to be held in downtown Kingsport on July 4, featuring food trucks, fireworks, games and live music. The band has sold more than 25 million albums and had eight Top 40 hits since forming in 1969, according to a news release from Visit Kingsport. “We are so excited to be celebrating Red, White & BOOM’s fifth year in downtown Kingsport,” said Emily Thompson, Visit Kingsport’s Director of Fun Fest and Special Events, adding that “this year is extra meaningful as we celebrate America’s 250th Anniversary.” Additional acts are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.
Kingsport City Schools Receives $90,000 Grant to Boost Middle School Literacy
Kingsport City Schools is taking a proactive step toward strengthening student learning with a newly awarded state grant. Kingsport City Schools (KCS) is working to enhance student literacy, and recently received a $90,000 Literacy Materials Implementation Grant from the Tennessee Department of Education to help achieve literacy goals, with Assistant School Superintendent Andy True saying the focus will be on the middle schools. True said there is no concern about literacy in Kingsport City Schools currently — in fact, they are exceeding expectations at the middle school level — but the grant will help push progress even further. Most of the grant money will go towards a contract with an organization called SchoolKit, which provides a custom support structure for individual school districts. The grant funds will remain available through 2030, and Kingsport was also recently awarded a Tutoring Innovation Grant to hire additional tutors to support students in ELA and math.
Racks by the Tracks Festival Moving Back to Main Street — and to October — for 2026
One of Kingsport’s most beloved annual festivals is getting a major refresh this year. Kingsport’s Racks by the Tracks — a music, BBQ, and beer tasting festival — announced it will move back to Main Street this year and take place in October. “Racks is going into 18 years, and so we decided it’s time; let’s freshen it up,” said Visit Kingsport’s Emily Thompson, noting that the festival “originated at the tracks on Main Street.” The event is moving to Saturday, October 10. Thompson said the date change from mid-summer to October 10 was made to ensure cooler temperatures and less humidity for festival-goers.
Kingsport’s Heritage Trail Gets a Modern Upgrade with New Signage
Downtown Kingsport’s beloved Heritage Trail has received a significant upgrade, making it easier and more engaging for both new visitors and longtime residents to explore the city’s history. The City of Kingsport has unveiled new signage for its Heritage Trail, a walking trail downtown that highlights the Model City’s historical structures and destinations. The Heritage Trail is two miles long and stretches from Church Circle, down Broad Street to Main Street, with 24 signs placed along the trail that feature information and photos of each destination. QR codes on each sign allow walkers to scan with their phones to dive deeper into the history of Kingsport, and a digital map for easier navigation is also accessible via QR code. The Heritage Trail was originally created in 1998 and showcased 16 destinations downtown; a committee was charged with updating the walking path with new signs and destinations last year, and the new signs were installed in mid-February.
Holston Army Ammunition Plant Responds to Questions Amid Iran Conflict
With national attention focused on U.S. military operations, local residents have been curious about the status of Kingsport’s own Holston Army Ammunition Plant. News Channel 11 reached out to the Holston Army Ammunition Plant regarding how the plant has been affected by the Iran conflict; according to Army spokesperson Ellen Lovett, the plant has not received orders to increase production, though “the Army and Holston teams are prepared to support Department of War requirements.” The Holston Army Ammunition Plant, which is operated by contractor BAE Systems, manufactures explosives for the military. The plant, which manufactures multiple explosives for the military, is owned by the government but operated by contractor BAE Systems, with around 1,000 people working there. Residents can expect updates as the situation evolves.
📅 Upcoming Events
2nd Annual Spring Social at Kingsport Farmers Market
Date/Time: Saturday, April 4, 2026, 11:00 AM
Location: Kingsport Farmers Market, 308 Clinchfield Street, Kingsport, TN
Join the Second Annual Spring Social, hosted by The Traveling Sun! This community-loved market brings together 50+ vendors for a day of shopping, food, and fun, with local makers, small businesses, mobile boutiques, permanent jewelry, and delicious eats from food trucks throughout the event. Free to attend and open to the whole family.
3rd Annual Kingsport ARTS Festival
Date/Time: Saturday, April 18, 2026, 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Location: 100 Block of Shelby Street, Downtown Kingsport, TN
In its third year, the Kingsport ARTS Festival will feature artist demonstrations, free activities, arts vendors, and performances in downtown Kingsport on April 18th — a partnership between Kingsport Cultural Arts, Engage Kingsport, the Inventor Center, Clay Gurus, and the Symphony of the Mountains. The one-day festival will also feature more than a dozen local and regional vendors, a gallery crawl, and several demonstrations by local art groups. Admission is free.
Exchange Place 40th Annual Spring Garden Fair
Date/Time: Saturday, April 25, 2026, 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM & Sunday, April 26, 2026, 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Location: Exchange Place Living History Farm, 4812 Orebank Road, Kingsport, TN 37664
Join Exchange Place for the 40th Annual Spring Garden Fair — the oldest garden fair in the region and a favorite among gardeners. The Fair features thousands of plants for sale — perennials, annuals, trees and shrubs — with an emphasis on herbs, natives and heirlooms, along with garden-related arts and crafts, heritage breeds of animals, spring farm activities, children’s crafts and gardening lessons, and traditional music and foods. Admission is $5; free for those under 12.
Kingsport ARTS Festival Iron Pour — Scratch Mold Workshops
Date/Time: Multiple workshop dates in April & May 2026 (see link for full schedule)
Location: The Inventor Center, 118 Shelby Street, Kingsport, TN
Those interested in participating in the Iron Pour will first need to register for one of the workshops, where participants scratch unique designs into an 8-inch sand mold — which is then cast with molten iron (heated to 3,000 degrees) to create a one-of-a-kind work of art. Workshops are held at the Inventor Center at 118 Shelby St. and cost $23 per person; open to ages 18 and up, with children ages 6–17 welcome if accompanied by an adult. All materials are provided.
Read more at Kingsport Cultural Arts
Red, White & BOOM Independence Day Celebration featuring Grand Funk Railroad
Date/Time: Saturday, July 4, 2026 (activities begin at dusk; fireworks to follow)
Location: Main Street, Downtown Kingsport, TN
Rock icons Grand Funk Railroad are set for top billing at the 2026 Red, White & BOOM Independence Day Celebration on Main Street in downtown Kingsport on July 4th. Other attractions will include a court of food trucks and a hot dog eating contest, with Visit Kingsport saying additions to the musical lineup will be added in the coming weeks. This family-friendly event is free to attend. Keep an eye on visitkingsport.com for updates.
Kingsport Fun Fest 2026
Date/Time: Friday, July 17 – Saturday, July 25, 2026
Location: Various locations throughout Kingsport, TN
Fun Fest 2026 runs July 17–25 and is one of the region’s most beloved multi-day summer festivals. Events include a Sunset Concert Series, Kazoobie Kazoo Show, Trash Barrel Paint-In, Broad Street Boogie, Family Comedy Night, Handmade Market, Gospel Music Concert, and more. Fun Fest was also honored at the 2026 Southeast Festivals and Events Association’s Kaleidoscope Awards. Stay tuned to funfest.net for the full 2026 event schedule.
Racks by the Tracks — Back on Main Street!
Date/Time: Saturday, October 10, 2026
Location: Main Street, Downtown Kingsport, TN
Kingsport’s Racks by the Tracks music, BBQ, and beer tasting festival will move back to Main Street this year and take place on October 10. After 18 years, organizers say it was time for a refresh — bringing the festival back to where it began on Main Street and turning it into a fall-time event, with the date change also promising cooler temperatures and less humidity for festival-goers. The event traditionally features live music, a BBQ competition, craft beer tasting, and a 5K/10K race. Visit racksbythetracks.com for tickets and details as they become available.