☀️ Today’s Weather
Monday, April 13, 2026 — Overcast. High 80°F, Low 64°F. 5% chance of rain.
😄 Joke of the Day
A tourist pulled into Johnson City and asked a local, “Is it always this hard to find parking downtown?” The local smiled and said, “Nope — they sent drones to study it. Turns out the drones park better than we do.”
🧠 Trivia Q&A
Question: Johnson City is home to Founders Park, the heart of its thriving downtown festival scene. The park sits on West Main Street and hosts events year-round — but what is the name of the covered performance structure at Founders Park where many of those events take place?
Answer: The Pavilion at Founders Park (located at 105 W. Main St., downtown Johnson City).
🔝 Top Stories
Johnson City Government Keeping Eye on Rising Fuel Costs
Johnson City officials are grappling with high fuel costs that are putting pressure on the city’s operating budget. City leaders are monitoring expenditures closely as fuel prices remain elevated, with potential impacts on services and operations across municipal departments. Residents can expect updates as city commissioners continue to assess the situation.
Johnson City MTPO Hosting Open House on 2050 Transportation Plan
The Johnson City Metropolitan Transportation Planning Organization (MTPO) is holding a public open house to gather community input on its long-range 2050 transportation plan. Residents are encouraged to attend and share their thoughts on the future of transportation infrastructure in the region. For details on the date, time, and location, visit the link below.
Meet the Johnson City Junior Council
A recent segment takes a closer look at the Johnson City Junior Council, a youth civic program that gives young residents a voice in local government and community affairs. The Junior Council provides students with hands-on experience in local leadership and public service. It’s one of several initiatives aimed at cultivating the next generation of engaged Johnson City citizens.
Woodland Elementary Students Count Down to Artemis II Splashdown
Students at Woodland Elementary School in Johnson City are buzzing with excitement as they count down to the anticipated splashdown of NASA’s Artemis II mission. The school has been incorporating the historic mission into their curriculum, inspiring young minds about space exploration. It’s a real-world science lesson unfolding in real time for the students and their teachers.
Read more at Johnson City Press
Johnson City Preparing for a Busy Season of Special Events
Johnson City is gearing up for a packed spring and summer events calendar, with several exciting community gatherings on the horizon. City officials and event organizers are making preparations to welcome residents and visitors to a variety of festivals, markets, and celebrations in the coming weeks. Check out upcoming events below for some of what’s in store.
📅 Upcoming Events
🍺 Thirsty Orange Beer Festival — Saturday, April 18, 2026
Time: 1:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Location: Founders Park, Johnson City, TN
The 13th annual Thirsty Orange Beer Festival returns to Founders Park on April 18. With over 150 unique beers available to sample, it’s Northeast Tennessee’s premier beer festival.
Read more at ThirstyOrange.com
🎷 Johnson City Jazz Festival — April 16–19, 2026
Various venues, Johnson City and Jonesborough, TN
Organizers of the Johnson City Jazz Festival have formally unveiled the performance schedule for April 16–19, 2026. On Friday, April 17, the festivities move to the ETSU Martin Center’s Powell Recital Hall, featuring Moon Unit (a sophisticated guitar trio from Durham) and acclaimed New York jazz vocalist Emma Hedrick and her Quintet. The series continues at Powell Recital Hall on Saturday, April 18 with performances by the Knoxville-based Vance Thompson Quintet and the Steve LaSpina Quintet of Asheville. The festival concludes Sunday, April 19 at the Jackson Theater in Jonesborough, featuring the ETSU Jazz Ensemble and the Tri-Cities Jazz Orchestra. A Festival Jazz Jam is also scheduled Thursday, April 16 at Capone’s.
Read more at JohnsonCityJazzFestival.com
🎨 Art·Struck Festival — Saturday, April 25, 2026
Time: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Location: The Pavilion at Founders Park, 105 W. Main St., Downtown Johnson City
The Johnson City Public Art Committee will hold the 6th annual Art·Struck Festival on Saturday, April 25 at The Pavilion at Founders Park. The festival will include a market with over 50 local artists, art demonstrations and activities, a variety of live performances, and food trucks. Attendees of all ages will be able to enjoy mask decorating, graffiti stenciling, bucket drumming, a weaving fence, and wand making, among others. This family-friendly event is free and open to the public.
🚂 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.