☀️ Today’s Weather
Overcast skies today with a high of 84°F and a low of 67°F. Just a 10% chance of rain — a good day to get out and enjoy what’s left of summer.
😄 Only in Kingsport
Fun Fest kicks off and half the city immediately starts debating which year’s lineup was better — which is impressive, because the festival has been running long enough that some of those debates are genuinely historical.
🧠 Trivia Q&A
Question: What Kingsport mansion is now a city-owned estate and event venue?
Answer at the bottom of today’s newsletter.
🔝 Top Stories
🏥 Kingsport Approves New Rehab Center
Kingsport officials have recently approved a new rehabilitation center to serve the local community. The move is seen as a step toward expanding healthcare and recovery resources in the area. Visit the link below for full details.
Know a Local Business That Should Be Here?
If you send us a business that becomes a sponsor, we’ll pay you $50 for it. No cap, no catch. Just hit reply with their name and we’ll take it from there. (We still make the final call on fit, same as any other pitch.)
🤖 Kingsport & Sullivan County Schools Receive AI Pilot Funding
Kingsport City Schools and Sullivan County Schools have both been named recipients of AI innovation funding. Kingsport City Schools will partner with East Tennessee State University to focus on district-wide implementation of AI adoption, literacy, and capacity. Sullivan County Schools is among nine recipients named by Tennessee SCORE’s AI Innovation Fund grant.
🎉 Fun Fest Block Party Weekend Kicks Off in Kingsport
Kingsport has kicked off its traditional Fun Fest Block Party weekend, one of the city’s signature annual celebrations. Residents and visitors are encouraged to take part in the festivities happening around the city this weekend.
🎸 Kingsport’s Racks by the Tracks Festival Will Not Return
Organizers have confirmed that Kingsport’s popular Racks by the Tracks festival will not be returning. The news marks the end of an event that had become a notable part of the local entertainment calendar. No further details about the reasons for the cancellation were immediately available.
📅 Upcoming Events
Event details are pulled from public listings and can change. Please confirm dates and times on the official event page before making plans.
🏋️ Kids’ Day Out Camp — September 8, 2026
Monday, September 8 | 7:30 AM – 5:30 PM
V.O. Dobbins, Sr. Complex, 301 Louis Street, Kingsport
Kingsport Parks and Recreation is offering a special Kids’ Day Out camp on September 8 — the same day as a Kingsport City Schools in-service day. This one-day camp will take place from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the V.O. Dobbins, Sr. Complex. The cost is $15 per child.
🏀 Intermediate Basketball Skills & Drills — Tuesdays in September 2026
Tuesdays in September | 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
V.O. Dobbins, Sr. Complex, 301 Louis Street, Kingsport
Kingsport Parks and Recreation is offering an Intermediate Basketball Skills and Drills program in September for children interested in learning the advanced skills of this fast-paced sport. The four-week intermediate program will be held at the V.O. Dobbins, Sr. Complex.
🇺🇸 9/11 Never Forget — Flags Across the State Line — September 11, 2026
Friday, September 11 | 6:15 PM
2626 E Stone Dr, Kingsport, TN 37660
A community memorial event honoring the anniversary of September 11. For more details, visit the event page.
👰 The Pink Bride Wedding and Women’s Expo — Tri-Cities — September 13, 2026
Sunday, September 13 | 12:00 PM
MeadowView Conference Resort & Convention Center, Kingsport
A wedding and women’s expo event coming to the Tri-Cities area. Visit the link below for full details.
🎵 Unspoken Concert — September 17, 2026
Thursday, September 17 | 7:00 PM
140 Broad St, Kingsport, TN 37660
Christian music act Unspoken will perform live in Kingsport. Visit the link below for tickets and more information.
🎤 Joseph Habedank in Kingsport — September 18, 2026
Friday, September 18 | 7:00 PM
Preaching Christ Church, Kingsport
Gospel artist Joseph Habedank will perform live in Kingsport. Visit the link below for more details.
👕 SMILE Foster Closet Fall Rummage Sale — Sept 18–19, 2026
Friday, Sept 18, 5:00–7:00 PM | Saturday, Sept 19, 8:00 AM–2:00 PM
Waverly Road Presbyterian Church, 1415 Waverly Rd, Kingsport
A clothing rummage sale benefiting local foster families through SMILE Foster Closet. Clothes are $5 for a stuff-a-bag and shoes are $2 a pair, with sizes from infant to adult. Foster families shop free (check in with a volunteer first). All proceeds go to SMILE Foster Closet.
🃏 Tri-Cities Card Show — September 19, 2026
Saturday, September 19 | 9:00 AM
MeadowView Conference Resort & Convention Center, Kingsport
A trading card show coming to the MeadowView Convention Center. Visit the link below for more details.
🎶 St. Jude’s Fundraiser w/ Three Miles South & Southern Breeze — September 19, 2026
Saturday, September 19 | 9:00 PM
516 G Morelock St, Kingsport, TN 37660
A live music fundraiser benefiting St. Jude’s, featuring Three Miles South and Southern Breeze. Visit the link below for more details.
📸 Hidden Gems — Downtown Kingsport Photo Hunt — September 25, 2026
Friday, September 25 | 10:00 AM
Downtown Kingsport
An outdoor photo hunt event taking place in Downtown Kingsport. Visit the link below for full details.
🎻 Exchange Place Fall Folk Arts Festival — September 26, 2026
Saturday, September 26 | 10:00 AM
Exchange Place Kingsport TN 1850s Farm
The Exchange Place Fall Folk Arts Festival returns to the historic 1850s farm in Kingsport. Visit the link below for more information.
🍗 Kingsport Wing Fling — November 5, 2026
Wednesday, November 5
Kingsport’s popular Wing Fling event returns this fall. Tickets are on sale now. Visit the link below for more details.
🤝 Community Partners
🧠 Trivia Answer
Allandale Mansion, a grand historic property that the city of Kingsport has preserved as an event venue and community asset.