☀️ Today’s Weather
Clear skies. High 92°F, Low 68°F. 1% chance of rain — a beautiful, sunny September day in Johnson City.
😄 Only in Johnson City
Northeast Tennessee tourism just crossed $1 billion in visitor spending for the first time, which means Johnson City has officially become a destination. Just remember: we were complaining about traffic on State of Franklin long before it was cool.
🧠 Trivia Q&A
Question: The Blue Plum Festival was originally created to bring people back to what part of the city?
Answer at the bottom of today’s newsletter.
🔝 Top Stories
🍺 Bar Files Lawsuit Against Johnson City Over ‘Last Call’ Ordinance
A local bar has filed a lawsuit against Johnson City nearly one year after the city’s “last call” ordinance went into effect. The legal challenge raises questions about the ongoing debate over the city’s regulation of downtown nightlife and bar closing times.
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.)
❓ Months Later, Questions Remain on Johnson City Data Center Rules
Despite extended discussion and a moratorium on data centers that has been pushed to December, key questions about proposed regulations for data centers in Johnson City remain unanswered. The city has been working to craft rules addressing noise limits, setbacks from residential areas, and zoning restrictions, but the process has drawn significant public scrutiny.
🎬 Free Movie Series Returning to Johnson City Parks
Johnson City is bringing back its free movie series at local parks. Residents can look forward to outdoor screenings coming up in the weeks ahead — a popular warm-weather tradition for families across the city.
💰 Northeast Tennessee Tourism Tops $1 Billion for the First Time
Northeast Tennessee has hit a historic milestone, with visitor spending topping $1 billion for the first time ever. The achievement signals significant growth in the region’s tourism economy, which includes Johnson City as a major hub.
🚰 Johnson City Announces Smoke Testing for September
The City of Johnson City has announced upcoming smoke testing of its sewer system for the month of September. Residents may notice smoke coming from the ground or sewer vents in affected areas during the testing — this is a routine procedure and is not cause for alarm.
📅 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.
🌾 Farm Day at Roan Valley Farms — September 5, 2026
Saturday, September 5, 2026 | 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Roan Valley Farms
A first-ever Farm Day event featuring live music from GMan BluesBand (4–7 PM), hay rides, games, farm equipment, a playground for kids, food from Jeff-N-Steph’s Hot Dawgs & Catering, and lemonade and dirty sodas from Sip Happens by Half Barrel. Admission is free.
More info at Visit Johnson City
🎵 Glioblastoma Benefit Night 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
An evening of live music, BBQ dinner, a silent auction sponsored by local businesses, and local artist and vendor booths — all to support research and local families affected by glioblastoma. Live music with Homecookn’ starts at 7 PM, with DJ Sam Love also on the lineup.
More info at Visit Johnson City
🎉 2026 Umoja Festival — September 12, 2026
Saturday, September 12, 2026
King Commons Park, 125 W. King St, Johnson City, TN
The 2026 Umoja Festival returns to King Commons Park for a day of celebration and unity. The festival will feature performances by national recording artist Aaron Cole and Nashville’s Purple Masquerade Band, along with vendors, community resources, and more details to be announced.
More info at Visit Johnson City
🎮 PokeKon-Fest — All Pokémon Show — September 26, 2026
Saturday, September 26, 2026 | 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Holiday Inn Johnson City by IHG, Johnson City, TN
PokeKon-Fest is an all-Pokémon fan meetup and one-day trade show event for collectors, trainers, and fans of all ages. The event is open to the public and features in-person activities celebrating everything Pokémon.
Tickets and info at Eventbrite
🏠 FREE Appalachian Fair Home Show — September 25, 2026
Friday, September 25, 2026 | 12:00 PM onwards
Appalachian Fair, Johnson City
The Appalachian Fair Home Show returns with hands-on demonstrations, expert advice, and exclusive offers for homeowners. Admission is free for all attendees.
📜 Today in Johnson City History
Today in Johnson City History
A century ago today in 1926, the Greensboro Daily News marveled at Johnson City’s Model Mill, home of Red Band flour, where every batch had to pass a “kitchen test” before shipping — a domestic science expert baked each sample into biscuits, and only flour that produced perfect results earned her approval. The mill was already recognized as one of the finest in the South.
For more details, subscribe to the Today in Johnson City History newsletter by Rebecca Henderson.
🤝 Community Partners
🧠 Trivia Answer
Downtown Johnson City, which the festival helped revitalize by drawing crowds to the historic core of the city each year.