☀️ Today’s Weather
Overcast skies over the Model City today — High 93°F, Low 73°F, with just an 8% chance of rain. Stay cool out there, Kingsport!
😄 Only in Kingsport
Fun Fest starts today, and somewhere right now a Kingsport parent is explaining to their out-of-town relatives why a nine-day festival with hot air balloons, an 8K night race, a medallion hunt, and three headline concerts is just “something we do every July.”
🧠 Trivia Q&A
Question: What beloved Kingsport festival first began in 1981?
Answer at the bottom of today’s newsletter.
🔝 Top Stories
Dobyns-Bennett Named Tennessee’s Only Model PLC High School
Dobyns-Bennett High School has earned the prestigious Model PLC at Work® School designation, making it the only high school in Tennessee to receive this honor. The recognition highlights the school’s commitment to professional learning communities and collaborative teaching practices. It’s another notable achievement for one of Kingsport’s most storied institutions.
Sponsored by
Crosscut Tree Services
Got a tree that’s leaning, dying, or just getting a little too comfortable with your roofline? Terry and the crew at Crosscut handle it all — removal, trimming, and 24/7 emergency service when a storm doesn’t wait for business hours. They’re local, they’re licensed, and if you’ve seen their reviews, you know they show up on time and do the job right the first time. Free quotes. No pressure.
Sullivan County Passes Budget on First Reading
Sullivan County leaders recently passed a budget on first reading. According to reporting, the proposed budget does not include a property tax increase. Additional readings and final approval will follow through the standard county budget process.
Ribbon Cut on New Friendship Hyundai of Kingsport
A ribbon-cutting ceremony was recently held for a new Friendship Hyundai dealership in Kingsport, marking the latest addition to the city’s auto dealership landscape. The opening adds another option for car shoppers in the region. Details on the location and offerings are available at the link below.
Community Shredding Event Coming to Kingsport Late July
A community shredding event is coming to Kingsport later this month, giving residents a secure way to dispose of personal documents. The event is a convenient opportunity for locals looking to protect against identity theft. Visit the link below for the date, time, and location.
📅 Upcoming Events
🎉 Fun Fest 2026 — July 17–25, Various Locations, Kingsport
Fun Fest kicks off TODAY! Kingsport’s signature nine-day festival features more than 100 events across 30+ locations, with the majority free and open to the public. Highlights include the Fun Fest Parade (tonight, July 17 at 6:30 PM in Downtown Kingsport), the Sunset Concert Series at J. Fred Johnson Stadium (Jeremy Camp & Katy Nichole on July 23; Daughtry & Switchfoot on July 24; LeAnn Rimes & Brothers Osborne on July 25), the Hot Air Balloon Rally (July 24), Breakfast with the Balloons (July 25), the Medallion Hunt (July 18–25), and the Eastman Fireworks Spectacular (July 25). Visit funfest.net for the full schedule and ticketed event information.
🎵 Fun Fest Lunchtime Live: Bristol Lightning — Friday, July 17, Noon | Farmers Market Pavilion, Kingsport
The final concert in the 5th annual Lunchtime Live Concert Series features Bristol Lightning — an eclectic band led by world-renowned cellist Dave Eggar that combines bluegrass, folk, classical, hip-hop, and tap dance. The free event is hosted by the Friends of the Kingsport Public Library & Archives at the Farmers Market Pavilion at noon today.
📚 Behind the Book Festival — Saturday, July 19 | Fort Henry Mall, First Floor, Kingsport
The Behind the Book Festival returns to Kingsport, hosted by the Kingsport Public Library and featuring more than 50 local and regional authors. The event takes place on the first floor of Fort Henry Mall on July 19 starting at 10 a.m. It’s a great opportunity for book lovers to connect with writers from across the region.
🎸 Fun Fest Sunset Concert Series — July 23–25 | J. Fred Johnson Stadium, Kingsport
Three big nights of music close out Fun Fest at J. Fred Johnson Stadium. Katy Nichole and Jeremy Camp take the stage July 23, followed by Daughtry and Switchfoot on July 24. The festival wraps up July 25 with LeAnn Rimes and Brothers Osborne, followed by the Eastman Fireworks Spectacular. Gates open at 5 p.m. for each show; concerts begin at 7 p.m.
Tickets and info at FunFest.net
🎯 Fun Fest Medallion Hunt — July 18–25 | Various Locations, Kingsport
The 2026 Fun Fest Medallion Hunt, presented by Kubota of Kingsport, hides one medallion per day between July 18 and July 25, with clues released daily on the Kingsport Fun Fest Facebook page and Instagram account (@KptFunFest). Bonus medallions are also in play. Visit funfest.net for clue times and full rules.
🎈 Hot Air Balloon Rally & Breakfast with the Balloons — July 24–25 | Kingsport
The Hot Air Balloon Rally on July 24 offers an evening spectacle of illuminated balloons, while Breakfast with the Balloons on July 25 invites early risers to watch the balloons take flight at the Kingsport Civic Auditorium. Both events are among the most iconic and visually stunning moments of Fun Fest each year.
🎵 Radio Bristol Record Expo in Kingsport — Coming Soon
Radio Bristol is heading to Kingsport for a Record Expo, bringing vinyl enthusiasts and music fans together. Specific date, time, and location details are available at the link below — check before you go!
🤝 Community Partners
🧠 Trivia Answer
Fun Fest, the multi-day summer celebration that has grown into one of the most anticipated community events in the Tri-Cities region since its founding in 1981.