☀️ Today’s Weather
Saturday, August 29, 2026 — Mainly clear. High 86°F, Low 63°F. 10% chance of rain.
😄 Only in Johnson City
ETSU students have been back for about a week, and somehow every parking lot in town is simultaneously full, under construction, and the subject of a strongly worded Facebook post.
🧠 Trivia Q&A
Question: The Gray Fossil Site is especially famous for one of the world’s largest fossil collections of which animal?
Answer at the bottom of today’s newsletter.
🔝 Top Stories
New Businesses Coming to Downtown Johnson City While Others Expand
Downtown Johnson City continues to grow, with new businesses recently announced and existing ones expanding their footprint. The story highlights the ongoing momentum in the city’s downtown corridor as local entrepreneurs invest in the area.
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.)
Johnson City Public Library to Host Shirefest
The Johnson City Public Library is hosting Shirefest, a free community celebration blending J.R.R. Tolkien’s beloved Shire with Appalachian culture. The event is set for Sunday, September 20 from 2–4:30 p.m. and features live Celtic music, storytelling, blacksmith and fiber artist demonstrations, locally brewed soda, festival games, crafts, and local vendors — no registration required.
Locals Reflect on the Lasting Impression of Dolly Parton
Johnson City and Tri-Cities residents are sharing personal memories of Dolly Parton following her passing, describing her warmth and connection to the people of the region. Local bands and community members have spoken about the significant impact she had on their lives and on Appalachian culture as a whole.
Bristol Officer Charged with Domestic Assault in Washington County, TN
A Bristol, Tennessee police officer has been suspended following a domestic assault charge, with court records placing the incident in Washington County, TN. The case has drawn attention given the officer’s law enforcement role.
WJHL+ Special: Remembering Dolly Parton
WJHL has released a special broadcast dedicated to remembering the life and legacy of Dolly Parton, reflecting on what she meant to East Tennessee and the broader Appalachian community. The tribute brings together local voices and archival moments to honor the icon.
📅 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.
🏈 ETSU Football vs. Tusculum — September 5, 2026
Saturday, September 5, 2026 | 5:30 PM
William B. Greene Jr. Stadium, Johnson City
The Buccaneers host the Tusculum Pioneers at home. The game also serves as Niswonger Children’s Hospital Day, a fundraising partnership between ETSU Athletics and Ballad Health.
The Farmer & The Chef — August 30, 2026
Sunday, August 30, 2026 | 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Blackthorn Club at the Ridges, Johnson City
A signature culinary event featuring regional chefs using locally grown fresh food to support the mission to end food insecurity in Northeast Tennessee.
Trivia Night at Yee-Haw Brewing — August 31, 2026
Monday, August 31, 2026 | 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Yee-Haw Brewing, Johnson City, TN
Trivia night at Yee-Haw’s Johnson City location.
Taco Trek — September 1, 2026
Tuesday, September 1, 2026 | 6:30 PM
110 W Market St, Johnson City
A monthly taco-themed community walkabout event in downtown Johnson City.
Run Club at Yee-Haw Brewing — September 3, 2026
Thursday, September 3, 2026 | 5:45 PM – 8:00 PM
Yee-Haw Brewing, Johnson City, TN
A community run club meetup hosted at Yee-Haw’s Johnson City location.
Farm Day at Roan Valley Farms — September 5, 2026
Saturday, September 5, 2026 | 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Roan Valley Farms
A free admission Farm Day event featuring live music from GMan BluesBand from 4–7 PM, hay rides, games, farm equipment, food from Jeff-N-Steph’s Hot Dawgs & Catering, lemonade and dirty sodas from Sip Happens by Half Barrel, and more.
More info at Visit Johnson City
Glioblastoma Research Fundraiser at Johnson City Brewing — September 5, 2026
Saturday, September 5, 2026 | 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Johnson City Brewing, 714 W Walnut St, Johnson City, TN 37604
Hosted by Johnson City Brewing, this event features DJ Sam Love, live music with Homecookn’ at 7 PM, a BBQ dinner, silent auction sponsored by local businesses, and local artist and vendor booths — all to support research and local families in the fight against glioblastoma.
More info at Visit Johnson City
Trivia Night at Yee-Haw Brewing — September 7, 2026
Monday, September 7, 2026 | 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Yee-Haw Brewing, Johnson City, TN
Another edition of trivia night at Yee-Haw’s Johnson City location.
Umoja Festival 2026 — September 12, 2026
Saturday, September 12, 2026
King Commons Park, 125 W. King St, Johnson City, TN
A day of celebration and unity at King Commons Park in downtown Johnson City.
More info at Visit Johnson City
Shirefest at Johnson City Public Library — September 20, 2026
Sunday, September 20, 2026 | 2:00 PM – 4:30 PM
Johnson City Public Library, 100 W. Millard Street, Johnson City, TN
A free, all-ages celebration of J.R.R. Tolkien’s Shire and Appalachian culture. Festivities include storytelling, live Celtic music, blacksmith and fiber artist demonstrations, locally brewed soda, festival games and crafts, and local vendors. No registration required.
Appalachian Fair Home Show — September 25–27, 2026
Friday, September 25 – Sunday, September 27, 2026
Appalachian Fairgrounds, Johnson City, TN
A free-admission home show featuring hands-on demonstrations, expert advice, and exclusive offers.
More info at the Johnson City Chamber
📜 Today in Johnson City History
Today in Johnson City History
One hundred and twenty-five years ago today in 1901, The Comet marked a local success story: five years earlier, H.W. Pardue had opened a small grocery in Johnson City with little money but plenty of energy, and by 1901 he owned one of the city’s largest and best-appointed grocery stores — the kind of hometown business growth Johnson City has always liked to celebrate.
For more details, subscribe to the Today in Johnson City History newsletter by Rebecca Henderson.
🤝 Community Partners
🧠 Trivia Answer
Tapirs, with Gray known for one of the world’s largest fossil tapir collections.