☀️ Today’s Weather
Overcast skies today with a high of 62°F and a low of 39°F — no rain expected (0% chance). Good day to stay cozy inside or layer up for an afternoon walk.
😄 Joke of the Day
A tourist asked a Johnson City local, “What do people do around here for fun?” The local thought for a second and said, “Well, we just opened a duckpin bowling alley in an old department store, there’s a new padel tennis court going in, and we’ve got four new restaurants on Main Street.” The tourist said, “Wow, what happened to this town?” The local smiled and said, “We ran out of crypto miners.”
🧠 Trivia Q&A
Question: The Peters Hollow Egg Fight is one of the oldest and most beloved Easter traditions in the Tri-Cities region. In what year did the very first Peters Hollow Egg Fight take place — and what was the original reason the tradition began?
Answer: The first Peters Hollow Egg Fight took place in 1823, as farmers competed to see whose chickens laid the hardest eggs. It started with the farmers from Rome Hollow challenging the farmers of Peters Hollow to see whose chickens laid the hardest eggs, and the tradition has continued ever since.
🔝 Top Stories
201st Peters Hollow Egg Fight Returns to Elizabethton on Easter Sunday
For over two centuries, people have gathered at Norman Peters’ house on Peter’s Hollow for the annual Egg Fight, an Easter tradition that started off as a competition between two local farming families. This year marked the 201st running of the beloved event, held on Easter Sunday. Participants bring dozens of eggs, both store-bought and home-grown, ready for the chance to out-crack their opponents. For many families, attending the Egg Fight is as much a tradition as Easter dinner itself.
Calvary Church Brings Hundreds to Freedom Hall for Easter Service
Calvary Church held their second annual Easter Service at Freedom Hall on Sunday, April 4, for all Tri-Cities residents, with hundreds of people lining up around the building for the 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. services. Last year, Calvary Church said they had around 6,000 people for the services and were expecting more for Sunday’s turnout. According to Operations Pastor Nathan Livingston, Calvary celebrated its 41st year of being a church, and expressed gratitude for their partnership with Freedom Hall for days like this so that so many can worship together.
Nurse of the Month: Janice Woodby Honors Veterans Through Life-Saving Health Care
WJHL’s Nurse of the Month for April 2026 is Janice Woodby, a local healthcare professional who has dedicated her career to honoring and caring for veterans. Woodby has been recognized for her life-saving work in the Tri-Cities community. The Nurse of the Month feature highlights outstanding nurses across the region who go above and beyond for their patients.
TVA Grant Expands Emergency Response Capabilities for Hawkins County Rescue Squad
The Hawkins County Rescue Squad has received a TVA grant that will expand its emergency response capabilities in the region. The funding is expected to help the squad better serve its community with enhanced resources and equipment. The grant reflects ongoing investment by TVA in supporting public safety organizations across the Tennessee Valley region.
🏪 Local Business Spotlight
Top Drawer Cabinetry & More
If you’ve ever opened a cabinet door and thought “there has to be a better way,” Michael and Cristi Lemanski built their business around that exact frustration. Top Drawer Cabinetry & More is a family-owned finish carpentry company based right here in Johnson City, and they handle every project personally from the first quote to the final install. No subcontractors, no handoffs, no surprises.
Top Drawer specializes in custom cabinetry, built-ins, pantries, mudrooms, roll-out shelves, and specialty trim work for homeowners across the Tri-Cities. Whether you’re redoing a kitchen, adding a home office built-in, or just trying to make your existing cabinets actually functional, they design around how you use your space rather than dropping in a standard template and calling it done. That attention to detail is why they’ve built the reputation they have in this area.
Free quotes, competitive pricing, and a team that shows up on time and respects your home. If you have a project in mind, reach out at topdrawertn.com or give them a call at (423) 444-3462.
📅 Upcoming Events
🎨 Thirsty Orange Festival — April 18, 2026
The Thirsty Orange Festival is coming to Downtown Johnson City on April 18, 2026. This is one of the beloved Main Street Days events hosted by the Downtown Johnson City organization. Check the Downtown JC event calendar for full details on timing and activities.
Learn more at Downtown Johnson City
🎌 Johnson City Anime-Fest — April 18, 2026
The next Johnson City Anime-Fest show will be on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at the Holiday Inn Hotel in Johnson City, Tennessee. Tickets can be purchased online or at the door at the Show Registration Desk in the lobby. Kids under the age of 11 are free per adult paid ticket, with one free children’s entry per adult paid ticket. The event is held at the Holiday Inn Hotel, 101 W Springbrook Dr, Johnson City, TN, with show hours from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Learn more at johnsoncityanimefest.com
🖼️ Art Struck Festival — April 25, 2026
The Art Struck Festival is scheduled for April 25, 2026, in Downtown Johnson City. This annual festival celebrates the visual arts and is a highlight of the downtown events calendar each spring. Visit the Downtown Johnson City website for more details on participating artists, activities, and locations.
Learn more at Downtown Johnson City
⚾ NJCAA Division III Baseball World Series — May 23–27, 2026
Visit Johnson City will welcome the NJCAA Division III Baseball World Series to TVA Credit Union Ballpark in Johnson City, Tennessee — a top-of-the-line facility that will encourage an environment for student-athletes to thrive, while being advantageous for staff and spectators. The National Championship will take place May 23–27, 2026. This is a fantastic opportunity to watch elite two-year college baseball right here in Johnson City!
Learn 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.
🎪 Freedom Hall Civic Center — Upcoming Event April 17–19, 2026
Freedom Hall Civic Center has an event scheduled for April 17–19, 2026 (Friday through Sunday). Hours are: Friday, April 17 from 12 PM – 6 PM; Saturday, April 18 from 10 AM – 7 PM; and Sunday, April 19 from 10 AM – 6 PM. For full event details and more information, contact Freedom Hall directly.
Learn more at johnsoncitytn.org