☀️ Today’s Weather
Wednesday, April 1, 2026 — Drizzle. High 79°F, Low 59°F. 31% chance of rain.
😄 Joke of the Day
Johnson City has Tannery Knobs, Tweetsie Trail, and now a duckpin bowling lounge — but the Blue Plum Festival calls it quits after 20+ years. Apparently downtown got so lively it put itself out of a job. Mission accomplished.
🧠 Trivia Q&A
Question: The Blue Plum Festival has been a beloved Johnson City tradition for over two decades — but it won’t be returning in 2026. According to the organization, why did they decide not to hold the festival, and in what year did the Blue Plum Organization originally form?
Answer: The Blue Plum Organization announced the festival will not be held in 2026, saying that since its founding in 1999 as Friends of Olde Downtowne, the festival’s purpose was to invest in downtown Johnson City and introduce the community to the arts — and that mission has now been achieved. The organization noted that the Blue Plum Festival was among the first events to draw people downtown, but today there are a multitude of widely-attended events.
🔝 Top Stories
🏊 Freedom Hall Pool Closes Tomorrow — Community Task Force Fights for Alternatives
The Johnson City swim community was blindsided when the city announced the closure of Freedom Hall Pool as of April 3 — but for some residents, the fight isn’t over. The Johnson City Aquatics Task Force was created to bring together citizens who want aquatics facilities and programs expanded throughout the city. In an open letter addressed to the city commission and the Board of Education, the task force asks leaders to discuss solutions in a joint work session. For now, swim teams will hold practices at Memorial Park pool with extended hours, but coaches say that pool does not have the resources or time opportunities that Freedom Hall pool had. Vice Mayor Jenny Brock noted there is a long-term plan: “The city has completed a master plan for aquatics,” she told News Channel 11.
🔥 Apartment Fire at Sterling Hills Damages Multiple Units
Several fire crews were on the scene of an apartment fire in Johnson City on Sunday afternoon, March 29. The fire was at Sterling Hills Apartments on Milligan Lane and was reported shortly after 1 p.m., with crews from West Carter County Fire Department, Watauga Volunteer Fire Department, Central Volunteer Fire Department and Hampton Valley Forge Volunteer Fire Department arriving on scene minutes later. Sterling Hills Apartments 42 and 43 were found scorched in fire. A resident told News Channel 11 she heard a loud noise — sounding like a gunshot — and when she looked outside her balcony, she saw her neighbor’s building in flames. The West Carter County Fire chief confirmed there were no fatalities.
⛳ Caddy’s Indoor Golf Coming to Johnson City This Spring
Johnson City will soon have a new golf experience — Caddy’s Indoor Golf, coming to 525 W. Market Street. The facility will feature GOLFZON simulators and include a restaurant and bar, with access to over 300 courses across the United States and internationally. Lessons, leagues, and tournaments will be available when the facility opens at the end of May. The announcement has been well received by the community as another sign of Johnson City’s growing entertainment scene.
🐾 JCPD K9 Buck to Receive Protective Vest Thanks to Florida Couple’s Donation
Johnson City Police Department’s K9 Buck will receive a bullet and stab protective vest thanks to a donation from the non-profit organization Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. Buck’s vest was sponsored by Paula and Jacobi Richard from Florida, and will be embroidered with “In honor of CSPD K9 Roam.” Buck works with the JCPD’s Special Victims Unit (SVU) on Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) and child exploitation investigations. K9 Buck and his handler, Sgt. Tim Hensley, will also appear at the JCPD’s upcoming Community Roundtable on April 9 at Chick-fil-A, where the event provides Johnson City residents an opportunity to ask questions and connect directly with JCPD members.
💧 Johnson City Stormwater Basin Project on Track for September Completion
A major stormwater project in Johnson City aimed at reducing flooding is on track to wrap up by the end of September, city leaders said. The stormwater basin at Cherokee and West Walnut is designed to reduce flooding along that corridor. The project is part of the redevelopment of the West Walnut Street corridor — a business district between East Tennessee State University and downtown Johnson City — where a former business complex was demolished to accommodate a new park designed to alleviate flooding and improve water quality. The project is partially funded by a $3.3 million state grant.
🏈 ETSU Football Opens Spring Practice with New Coaches on Staff
Football has returned to Johnson City as the ETSU Buccaneers kicked off their first day of spring practice — marking the second season under head coach Will Healy, following a record-breaking offensive year for the Bucs. Tuesday was the first of 12 scheduled practices leading up to the annual Blue and Gold Spring Game, and the team welcomed new wide receivers coach Shaedon Meadors and quarterbacks coach Neal Posey to the staff. The Buccaneers’ spring practices lead into the annual Blue and Gold Spring Game presented by Highlands Sports Medicine Powered by Ballad Health and ETSU Health on April 25.
🎳 Duckpin Bowling Lounge “Copper & Glass” Headed for Downtown Johnson City
A duckpin bowling lounge is coming to downtown Johnson City, the Johnson City Chamber announced. The Chamber provided a news release from Maplewood LLC. The company revealed it has purchased the former JCPenney’s building in downtown Johnson City and will turn it into “Copper & Glass.” The concept emphasizes elevated design, craft beverages, and a relaxed social experience, offering an alternative to traditional bowling alleys and late-night bar settings. Copper & Glass is expected to open sometime in the second half of 2026, with construction taking seven to eight months — with the owner aiming for a September or October opening day.
🎷 Johnson City Jazz Festival Returns April 16–19
The annual Johnson City Jazz Festival is back this month, bringing multiple nights of live jazz music to venues across the Tri-Cities region. The festival will conclude on Sunday, April 19 at the Jackson Theatre in Jonesborough, featuring two cornerstone ensembles of the regional jazz scene: the ETSU Jazz Ensemble under the direction of Martin Walters, and the Tri-Cities Jazz Orchestra, led by Eddie Dalton. The multi-day festival features both ticketed and free performances at local venues. Visit johnsoncityjazzfestival.com for the full schedule and tickets.
Read more at JohnsonCityJazzFestival.com
📅 Upcoming Events
🚔 JCPD Community Roundtable — April 9, 2026
The next JCPD Community Roundtable will take place on Thursday, April 9 at Chick-fil-A, 3206 Peoples St., from 8:30–10 a.m. The event is a come-and-go setting with no formal agenda, providing Johnson City residents the opportunity to ask questions, share feedback, and connect directly with JCPD members. K9 Buck and his partner, Sgt. Tim Hensley, will also attend. The event is free and open to all.
Read more at JohnsonCityTN.org
🍺 Thirsty Orange Beer Festival — April 18, 2026
Save the date for the 13th Annual Thirsty Orange Beer Festival on April 18, 2026, at Founders Park in Johnson City, TN. The festival runs from 1:00 PM to 6:00 PM. Northeast Tennessee’s premier beer festival returns with craft brews, food, and live entertainment in the heart of downtown. Tickets are available at thirstyorange.com.
Read more at ThirstyOrange.com
🎶 Johnson City Jazz Festival — Final Night at the Jackson Theatre — April 19, 2026
The 2026 Johnson City Jazz Festival concludes at the Jackson Theatre in Jonesborough on April 19 at 7:00 PM. The final program features the ETSU Jazz Ensemble under the direction of Martin Walters, and the Tri-Cities Jazz Orchestra, led by Eddie Dalton. Tickets are available through the Jackson Theatre box office. Visit johnsoncityjazzfestival.com for details.
Read more at JohnsonCityJazzFestival.com
🌿 Forever Fest: West Walnut Block Party — April 24, 2026
Forever Fest: West Walnut Block Party takes place on April 24, 2026, from 4:30 PM to 9:00 PM. This outdoor block party celebrates the vibrant West Walnut Street corridor — a growing arts and entertainment hub between ETSU and downtown Johnson City. Enjoy local food, music, and community along one of Johnson City’s most dynamic streets. Check visitjohnsoncitytn.com for more details.
Read more at VisitJohnsonCityTN.com
🎨 Art·Struck Festival — April 25, 2026
The Art·Struck Festival returns on April 25, 2026, from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, bringing together artists and arts organizations to celebrate and support the arts community. The festival offers high-quality artwork for sale to the public, arts demonstrations, and activities for all ages. The festival is held in and around The Pavilion at Founders Park (105 W. Main St.) in Downtown Johnson City, with some activities in the Founders Park amphitheater. The Johnson City Public Art Committee has selected 56 artists to booth at the 2026 event after receiving over 100 applications. Admission is free.
🏈 ETSU Blue & Gold Spring Game — April 25, 2026
The ETSU Buccaneers will cap off spring practice with their annual Blue and Gold Spring Game presented by Highlands Sports Medicine Powered by Ballad Health and ETSU Health on April 25. The game takes place at William B. Greene Jr. Stadium in Johnson City and is a fan-favorite tradition for Bucs faithful. Head coach Will Healy has dedicated efforts to make the spring game interactive and entertaining for the fans who come out. Visit etsubucs.com for kickoff time and ticketing details.
🚗 51st NSRA Street Rod Nationals South — May 8–9, 2026
The National Street Rod Association (NSRA) will host the 51st edition of the Street Rod Nationals South on May 8th and 9th, 2026, at the Appalachian Fairgrounds in Johnson City, Tennessee. Since its first event in 1970, the NSRA has committed itself to bringing together street rod enthusiasts from across the nation, fostering friendships and providing educational resources. The Street Rod Nationals South launched in 1975 in Winston-Salem, NC. The 51st Street Rod Nationals South promises two exhilarating days filled with camaraderie, education, and incredible vehicles. For entry forms and details, visit nsra-usa.com.
Read more at NortheastTennessee.org
🚂 Mother’s Day Express — May 9, 2026
Celebrate Mom with a special excursion hosted by the George L. Carter Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society. Depart Johnson City by motor coach to Knoxville, board the Three Rivers Rambler steam engine for a scenic journey through the city, then enjoy a Mother’s Day lunch cruise aboard the Star of Knoxville paddlewheel riverboat on the Tennessee River.
For more information contact the Johnson City Railroad Experience at 423-631-5273.