☀️ Today’s Weather
Wednesday, April 1, 2026 — Drizzle. High 80°F, Low 55°F. 17% chance of rain.
😄 Joke of the Day
A tourist stopped a Kingsport local and said, “Excuse me, can you tell me how to get to Bays Mountain?” The local thought for a second and replied, “Well, you could take Fort Henry Drive, or cut through Stone Drive, or if you’re real ambitious… just follow the smell of campfire and the sound of a wolf howl. Either way, it’s all uphill — just like arguing with a Kingsport City fan on football night.”
🧠 Trivia Q&A
Question: The Kingsport Public Library is undergoing its first major renovation in more than 30 years. The $9 million project is funded by both the City of Kingsport and a state grant — but what Tennessee state agency awarded Kingsport the maximum $2 million grant for the renovation, and what is the name of the grant program it came from?
Answer: The Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development (TNECD) awarded Kingsport the $2 million grant through the Connected Community Facilities (CCF) grant program.
🔝 Top Stories
🏙️ Kingsport’s 2026 Capital Projects Moving Forward — Library Renovation Enters Framing Stage
One of the city’s largest active projects, the renovation of the Kingsport Public Library, has shifted from demolition to the framing stage. The Kingsport Public Library has been temporarily housed at the Fort Henry Mall since June 2025, and with renovations well underway at its original location, library leadership is hoping the finished product will become a downtown landmark. The construction crew the city is working with has plans to be finished by the end of 2026. The city approved $7 million towards the renovation, which includes doubling the size of the children’s area, creating dedicated space for children’s programming, and a dedicated makerspace for teens.
Read more at Kingsport Times News
🏛️ City Offices Closing Friday for Good Friday Holiday
City offices will be closed on Friday, April 3, in recognition of the Good Friday holiday. Kingsport will not be adjusting garbage or trash/yard waste routes for Good Friday (April 3). Residents should plan accordingly for city services that day. The Kingsport Aquatic Center will observe modified hours, remaining open from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Good Friday, April 3.
🏐 Registration Open for Kingsport’s 2026 Outdoor Volleyball League
The Kingsport Parks and Recreation Department is now accepting registrations for its 2026 Outdoor Volleyball League, with registration running from March 27 through April 22. Leagues offered include 12U Youth Triples and 13U/14U Youth Triples, as well as adult divisions for all skill levels. This is a great opportunity for Kingsport families and adults to get active this spring and summer season. Visit the Kingsport Parks and Recreation website or the CivicRec portal to register before the deadline.
🚧 Sewer Line Inspections Underway in West Kingsport
According to the City of Kingsport, during March and April, LJA Engineering and PCI will perform “Closed Circuit TV (CCTV) inspections” of sanitary sewer lines throughout West Kingsport. The city said the assessments evaluate the structural integrity of the sewer system, helping to identify and resolve potential issues before they become critical. Maintenance crews will not need entry into homes or businesses but may need access to manholes on residential properties. Anyone with questions or concerns is asked to contact the Kingsport Utilities Department at (423) 229-9454.
🎭 Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre Returning to the Model City
Crime & Dine Mysteries is back with another show in the Model City — a story set in an 1870s saloon called “Who Shot the Sheriff?” The murder mystery is filled with action, comedy, and fun for the whole family as the small old Western town of Silver Bullet City is taken over by a well-known gunslinger. When a wagon train comes into town bringing supplies, Sheriff John Payne is found dead in cold blood — can you solve the murder? Shows are on April 10 and 11 at The Social, 240 E Main St. in Kingsport.
🎭 For His Glory Productions Presents Easter Passion Play
For His Glory Productions is returning to the stage with a passion play titled “It Should Have Been Me.” The story follows Barabbas in the aftermath of being released instead of Jesus and a Roman Centurion by the name of Felix — along with Barabbas’s sister Enise, they set out to find out if Jesus really was the Son of God. The show is filled with colorful costumes, heartfelt music, sprawling sets, and state-of-the-art effects, running from March 27 through April 12, with performances at 2152 Hawthorne St. in Kingsport.
🏈 Kingsport’s Browder Brothers Team Up at ETSU for the First Time
Kingsport native Sam Browder is joining his older brother Charlie Browder at ETSU — Charlie transferred to ETSU last winter from the University of Tennessee and earned a waiver to play one more season for the Bucs. Sam Browder was rated a 3-star recruit out of high school and comes to ETSU from the University of Memphis. This season is the first time the two are playing on the same team together. The Bucs’ first scrimmage is set for April 11th and the spring game kicks off on Saturday, April 25th.
📅 Upcoming Events
🛍️ April Shop & Hop — Downtown Kingsport
Join us for the April Shop & Hop, sponsored by First Horizon Bank, in Downtown Kingsport! Stroll through downtown to find shops open late, refreshments, special deals, and live music. Organized by the Downtown Kingsport Association.
When: Thursday, April 2, 2026 | 5:00–8:00 PM
Where: Downtown Kingsport
More info at Downtown Kingsport Association
🌱 2nd Annual Spring Social — Kingsport Farmers Market
The 2nd Annual Spring Social is happening at the Kingsport Farmers Market on Saturday, April 4, 2026, at 11:00 AM EDT. This fun community gathering is a great way to kick off spring at one of Kingsport’s most beloved local destinations. Enjoy local vendors, community atmosphere, and all the charm of the downtown Kingsport Farmers Market. A wonderful event for families and neighbors to come together and celebrate the season.
When: Saturday, April 4, 2026 | 11:00 AM
Where: Kingsport Farmers Market, 308 Clinchfield St, Kingsport, TN
⚗️ eChem Expo 2026 — Meadowview Convention Center
The eChem Expo Solutions Marketplace & Technology Innovations Conference is the premier multidisciplinary gathering for applied innovation at the plant level in the Americas. Since its founding in 2000, eChem Expo has grown into a biannual event that brings together 1,000+ industry professionals and 150+ exhibitors for two days of collaboration, learning, and discovery. Andy Padgett of the Tennessee Department of Transportation will serve as keynote speaker, exploring how teams mobilized quickly during Hurricane Helene to restore critical infrastructure.
When: April 8–9, 2026 (Pre-Conference: April 7)
Where: MeadowView Conference Resort & Convention Center, 1901 Meadowview Pkwy, Kingsport, TN
🐾 Petworks 6th Annual Fundraising Furball — “Paws & Pearls”
Join Petworks for their 6th Annual Fundraising Furball on April 11th at the Meadowview Convention Center for cocktails, silent and live auctions, dinner, live music, and dancing. All proceeds support the mission to shelter, care for, and rehome adoptable animals. The event is Mardi-Gras themed and promises a festive, fun-filled evening for animal lovers. This is a wonderful chance to support Kingsport’s beloved nonprofit animal shelter in a glamorous night out for a great cause.
When: Saturday, April 11, 2026
Where: MeadowView Convention Center, 1901 Meadowview Pkwy, Kingsport, TN
🎨 3rd Annual Kingsport ARTS Festival
The Kingsport Arts Festival returns to the Model City for its 3rd year on April 18. From glassblowing to music, to storytelling and so much more, there’s something for everyone. The one-day festival will feature more than a dozen local and regional vendors, a gallery crawl, and several demonstrations by local art groups. It runs from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Shelby Street in Kingsport.
When: Saturday, April 18, 2026 | 12:00–5:00 PM
Where: Shelby Street, Downtown Kingsport, TN
More info at ArtsKingsport.org
🌸 Exchange Place Spring Garden Fair
Exchange Place’s Spring Garden Fair runs Saturday, April 25, from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM and Sunday, April 26, from noon to 5:00 PM, at 4812 Orebank Rd, Kingsport, TN. Admission is $5 for guests over 12 years old, with free admission for children under 12. The mission of Exchange Place Living History Farm is to preserve and interpret the heritage of mid-19th century farm life in Northeast Tennessee. The Spring Garden Fair features demonstrations of springtime activities on the farmstead, along with thousands of plants and garden vendors — a beloved Kingsport tradition every spring.
When: Saturday, April 25 (10 AM–5 PM) & Sunday, April 26, 2026 (12–5 PM)
Where: Exchange Place Living History Farm, 4812 Orebank Rd, Kingsport, TN
More info at ExchangePlaceTN.org