☀️ Today’s Weather
Light drizzle with a high of 85°F and a low of 68°F — 38% chance of rain. Keep an umbrella handy if you’re heading out to Fun Fest’s final day.
😄 Only in Kingsport
Fun Fest runs nine days, features over 100 events, and closes out with fireworks. Most cities would call that a decade’s worth of programming. Kingsport just calls it July.
🧠 Trivia Q&A
Question: What downtown area brings together the Kingsport Farmers Market and the hand-carved carousel?
Answer at the bottom of today’s newsletter.
🔝 Top Stories
🏛️ Kingsport BMA Tours Justice Center as Renovations Continue
Members of the Kingsport Board of Mayor and Aldermen recently toured the Kingsport Justice Center as the ongoing renovation and expansion project progresses. The project aims to consolidate all court operations into a single, secure building, improving safety; the Kingsport Police Department will also gain space to ease overcrowding; and the renovated center will feature a separate elevator for staff and judges and a redesigned check-in area. The renovation is expected to be completed by Spring of 2027.
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.
🎬 Fun Fest 2026 Sunset Concert Series Kicks Off
The Sunset Concert Series takes place this year from July 23 to July 25. Jeremy Camp and Katy Nichole performed on Thursday, July 23, and Daughtry and Switchfoot took the stage on Friday, July 24. A double headliner closes out the series on Saturday, July 25th, when Brothers Osborne and LeAnn Rimes take the stage, followed immediately by the Fireworks Spectacular at J. Fred Johnson Stadium.
🎉 Eastman Gets Two-Year Exemption from EPA Air Pollution Rule
Eastman, a major employer and cornerstone of the Kingsport economy, has reportedly received a two-year exemption from an EPA air pollution rule. The development is significant for the company and the broader Kingsport community, where Eastman is one of the largest employers. Residents and local officials are likely watching the ruling’s long-term implications closely.
📅 Upcoming Events
🎤 Fun Fest Sunset Concert: Brothers Osborne & LeAnn Rimes — July 25, 2026
Saturday, July 25, 2026 | 6:30 PM
J. Fred Johnson Stadium, Dobyns-Bennett High School, Kingsport
Brothers Osborne and LeAnn Rimes close out the 2026 Fun Fest Sunset Concert Series on Saturday night. A Fireworks Spectacular will immediately follow the show. Tickets are available at the Fun Fest Store and at FunFest.net.
🎈 Fun Fest Hot Air Balloon Rally — July 24, 2026
Friday, July 24, 2026 (Evening)
Kingsport, TN
The Hot Air Balloon Rally offers a picture-perfect experience, watching balloons light up against the evening sky. Breakfast with the Balloons on July 25 welcomes visitors to see the balloons take flight and fill the sky. For more details, visit FunFest.net.
🧠 Rotary Human Trafficking Summit Featuring Tim Tebow — July 27, 2026
Monday, July 27, 2026 | 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Marriott MeadowView Resort & Convention Center, 1901 Meadowview Pkwy, Kingsport, TN
The Rotary Human Trafficking Summit: Awareness, Education & Prevention will take place on Monday, July 27, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Marriott MeadowView Resort & Convention Center in Kingsport. Ballad Health is the title sponsor of the event, hosted by the Rotary Club of Bristol, VA/TN and the Rotary Action Group Against Slavery (RAGAS). The summit’s featured guest will be Tim Tebow, Heisman Trophy winner, former NFL quarterback and founder of the Tim Tebow Foundation. Registration is $20 per attendee; proceeds will support nonprofit organizations and Rotary initiatives focused on human trafficking awareness, prevention, survivor advocacy, and education.
Read more at WJHL | Official Summit Website
🏎️ 5th Annual Meals on Wheels Cruise In — August 8, 2026
Saturday, August 8, 2026 | 8:00 AM
Toy F. Reid Employee Center, Kingsport, TN
The 5th Annual Meals on Wheels Cruise In is coming up in early August at the Toy F. Reid Employee Center in Kingsport. Visit the source link for full details on registration and participation.
More local events at Kingsporttn.gov
🏛️ Kingsport Senior Center Open House
The Kingsport Senior Center recently announced it will hold an Open House event. Visit the city’s website for date, time, and full details.
🤝 Community Partners
🧠 Trivia Answer
The Carousel Park area in downtown Kingsport, where the farmers market and the Pal’s Roundhouse carousel building anchor a revitalized section of the city center.