☀️ Today’s Weather
Mainly clear skies over Johnson City today. High of 88°F, low of 68°F. Just a 4% chance of rain — a fine end to August.
😄 Only in Johnson City
The Appalachian Fair wrapped up its 100th year last night in Gray. Somewhere, a Johnson City parent is still finding funnel cake powder on a shirt they thought was clean.
🧠 Trivia Q&A
Question: A real frontier-era conflict took place on the Tipton property in 1788. What is it commonly called?
Answer at the bottom of today’s newsletter.
🔝 Top Stories
📸 Final Day of the Appalachian Fair Draws a Crowd
The 100th Appalachian Fair wrapped up its historic centennial run, with the final day offering fun for fairgoers of all ages. The photo-filled retrospective captures the close of a milestone year for one of the region’s most beloved annual traditions. For the full photo gallery, visit the Johnson City Press link below.
Read more at Johnson City Press
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.)
📸 Partial Lunar Eclipse Lights Up Tri-Cities Skies
Residents across the Tri-Cities were treated to a stunning partial lunar eclipse Thursday night, and WJHL has a photo gallery capturing the celestial event as seen from the local area. If you missed it in person, the images are worth a look. This type of astronomical event is visible to the naked eye under clear conditions.
🚨 ETSU Falls to Campbell in Season Opener, 49–37
The ETSU Buccaneers dropped their 2026 season opener to the Campbell Camels by a score of 49–37. The Bucs fought throughout the game but could not hold off Campbell in the closing stretch. The loss sets the stage for a must-see home opener next weekend against Tusculum.
🏫 Week 2 High School Football Scores and Highlights
Local high school football action continued into its second week across the region, with scores and highlights from Friday night’s games now available. Fans can also vote for the Week 2 Best Play of the Week at the WJHL link below.
📅 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.
🍺 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
Put your knowledge to the test at Yee-Haw Brewing’s weekly Trivia Night in Johnson City.
🌮 Taco Trek | September — September 1, 2026
Tuesday, September 1, 2026 | 6:30 PM
110 W Market St, Johnson City, TN
The monthly Taco Trek returns to downtown Johnson City. For full details, visit the event listing.
🎵 Concert Night at Yee-Haw Brewing — September 1, 2026
Tuesday, September 1, 2026 | 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Yee-Haw Brewing, Johnson City, TN
Yee-Haw Brewing hosts a live music night 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
Lace up and join the weekly Run Club gathering at Yee-Haw Brewing in Johnson City.
🏴 Upper East Tennessee Celtic Festival and Games 2026 — September 4–6, 2026
Friday, September 4: 6:30 PM until late
Saturday, September 5: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM (Highland Games start at 8:00 AM)
Sunday, September 6: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM (Kirkin Service starts at 10:00 AM)
Tipton-Haynes State Historic Site, 2620 S Roan St, Johnson City, TN
Three days of Highland heritage featuring music, athletics, crafts, worship, and clan gathering on the historic grounds of Tipton-Haynes. Day passes and weekend passes are available; visit the link below for ticket information.
More info at Visit Johnson City
🛍️ Downtown Sidewalk Sale — September 5, 2026
Saturday, September 5, 2026 | 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Downtown Johnson City
Downtown Johnson City’s annual Sidewalk Sale returns, giving shoppers a chance to browse deals from local businesses along the streets of downtown.
More info at Visit Johnson City
🌾 Farm Day at Roan Valley Farms — September 5, 2026
Saturday, September 5, 2026 | 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Roan Valley Farms
The first-ever Farm Day at Roan Valley Farms features free admission, food from Jeff-N-Steph’s Hot Dawgs & Catering, lemonade and dirty sodas from Sip Happens by Half Barrel, live music from GMan BluesBand from 4:00–7:00 PM, hay rides, games, farm equipment to check out, and a playground for kids.
More info at Visit Johnson City
🎗️ Glioblastoma 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
A fundraising event to support research and local families fighting glioblastoma, featuring DJ Sam Love, live music from Homecookn’ at 7:00 PM, a BBQ dinner, and a silent auction sponsored by local businesses and local artists and vendors.
More info at Visit Johnson City
🏈 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.
🎶 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
Weekly Trivia Night returns at Yee-Haw Brewing.
🎵 Concert Night at Yee-Haw Brewing — September 8, 2026
Monday, September 8, 2026 | 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Yee-Haw Brewing, Johnson City, TN
Another live music night at Yee-Haw Brewing in Johnson City.
⚾ ISSA Senior Softball World Series — September 9–13, 2026
Tuesday–Saturday, September 9–13, 2026
Winged Deer Park, Johnson City, TN
The ISSA Senior Softball World Series comes to Johnson City, bringing senior athletes from across the country to compete in one of the nation’s premier softball tournaments. Games will be played at Winged Deer Park across multiple age and skill divisions. Admission is free.
More info at Visit Johnson City
🏃 Run Club at Yee-Haw Brewing — September 10, 2026
Thursday, September 10, 2026 | 5:45 PM – 8:00 PM
Yee-Haw Brewing, Johnson City, TN
The weekly Run Club continues at Yee-Haw Brewing.
🌍 Umoja Festival 2026 — September 12, 2026
Saturday, September 12, 2026
King Commons Park, 125 W. King St, Johnson City, TN
The Umoja Festival returns to King Commons Park for a day of celebration and unity, featuring performances by national recording artist Aaron Cole and Nashville’s Purple Masquerade Band, along with vendors and community resources.
More info at Visit Johnson City
🏅 Iron Mountains Invitational Cross Country — September 12, 2026
Saturday, September 12, 2026
Winged Deer Park, Johnson City, TN
The Iron Mountains Invitational returns to Winged Deer Park, bringing together hundreds of student runners from more than 60 elementary, middle, and high schools. The event is free and open to the public.
More info at Visit Johnson City
🎪 Jericho Shrine Circus — September 25–27, 2026
Friday, September 25: 7:00 PM
Saturday, September 26: 10:30 AM | 3:00 PM | 7:30 PM
Sunday, September 27: 1:00 PM | 6:00 PM
Freedom Hall Civic Center Arena, 1320 Pactolas Rd, Johnson City, TN 37604
The Jericho Shrine Circus Spectacular comes to Freedom Hall Civic Center, featuring stunts, acrobats, animals, and family fun. Attendees can arrive one hour before showtime to ride animals and meet the circus performers. Proceeds benefit the Jericho Shriners.
More info at Visit Johnson City
🏠 FREE Appalachian Fair Home Show — September 25–27, 2026
Friday, September 25 – Sunday, September 27, 2026
Appalachian Fairgrounds, Johnson City area
The Appalachian Fair Home Show returns with hands-on demonstrations, expert advice, and exclusive offers to help elevate your home. Admission is free.
More info at Visit Johnson City
📜 Today in Johnson City History
Today in Johnson City History
Ninety-five years ago today in 1931, a twelve-year manhunt for a Massachusetts man wanted in his wife’s brutal killing ended quietly at the Soldiers’ Home in Johnson City, where William Brown had been living as a veteran since June. He was caught only after applying for his pension, and was returned to Massachusetts in the custody of state detectives to face the charges.
For more details, subscribe to the Today in Johnson City History newsletter by Rebecca Henderson.
🤝 Community Partners
🧠 Trivia Answer
The State of Franklin Battle, a confrontation between forces loyal to Colonel John Tipton and those supporting John Sevier and the State of Franklin movement.