☀️ Today’s Weather
Monday, March 30, 2026 — Foggy. High 74°F, Low 49°F. 2% chance of rain.
😄 Joke of the Day
A Kingsport man told his neighbor he was thinking about hiking all the trails at Bays Mountain. His neighbor said, “That’s ambitious — last time I tried, I got so lost even my GPS started speaking in Cherokee.”
🧠 Trivia Q&A
Question: Kingsport’s Fun Fest is a beloved summertime tradition — but in what year did it first begin, and how many days does the annual festival span across the city?
Answer: Fun Fest began in 1981 and spans 9 days, with events held at 50+ locations across Kingsport.
🔝 Top Stories
New Tea & Coffeehouse Opens in Downtown Kingsport
A new herbal tea and coffeehouse is welcoming customers in Kingsport — Gypsy Bean Leaves & Things, located at 115 E Market Street. The shop describes itself as “an herbal tea and coffee bar with a metaphysical side,” also offering crystals, rocks, candles, jewelry, and local vendors, according to co-owner Kim Geiser. A ribbon-cutting and grand opening ceremony were held, with city leaders including Kingsport Mayor Paul Montgomery in attendance. In addition to drinks, Gypsy Bean also sells a variety of books and oddities.
Bays Mountain Park to Conduct Prescribed Burn in April
Weather permitting, the prescribed burn at Bays Mountain Park will take place sometime between April 1–17 and encompass roughly 15–50 acres of land between River Mountain Road and Woody’s Trail. The park will perform the burn as a proactive measure to reduce the amount of leaf litter, duff, and downed trees on the mountain, and this year’s burn will pick up where last year’s burn ended. Prescribed burns are a common forest management technique used to reduce wildfire risk, promote healthy ecosystems, and encourage new growth. The prescribed burn at Bays Mountain Park will be conducted by park staff and local fire departments to ensure safety and control.
Read more at Bays Mountain Park
Hobby Horse Derby Returns to Allandale Mansion
Kingsport Parks and Recreation is bringing back last year’s breakout springtime event — the Hobby Horse Derby — for an exciting afternoon of jumping, racing, and just plain “horsing around” on the front lawn of Allandale Mansion. A release about the event describes hobby horsing as “a unique sport that involves participants riding stick horses for events like barrel racing and jumping courses.” The Kingsport Parks and Recreation Department will host the derby, featuring a variety of competitions and family-friendly activities, with participants of all ages racing through barrel courses and jump courses on stick horses, in addition to a mini arena for younger children. Food trucks will also be on site to provide refreshments for attendees.
Read more at Kingsport Times News
Kingsport Parks and Recreation Offering Girls Basketball Camp
Teaching basketball to young girls provides a wide range of benefits — from improving physical health and building confidence, to learning teamwork, communication skills, and discipline — and Kingsport Parks and Recreation has announced a Girls Basketball Camp is now being offered. The department emphasizes that the game of basketball brings added value beyond physical fitness for young athletes. The camp is part of Kingsport Parks and Recreation’s ongoing commitment to youth programming throughout the community. Residents can visit kingsportparksandrecreation.org or the CivicRec portal for registration details and dates.
Former Kingsport ICU Nurse Charged with Prescription Drug Fraud
A former ICU nurse is facing charges following an investigation by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation into allegations of prescription drug fraud. Authorities said TBI agents launched the investigation based on allegations related to the nurse’s time working in Kingsport. The case serves as a reminder of ongoing efforts by state investigators to protect the integrity of healthcare and the safety of patients across the region. Further details on charges and court proceedings are expected as the case moves forward.
Prescribed Burn Planned — Sullivan County Animal Shelter Awarded $25K PetSmart Grant
The Sullivan County Animal Shelter has been awarded a $25,000 PetSmart grant, according to recent local reporting. This grant will provide meaningful support for the shelter’s operations and animal care efforts in the Kingsport and Sullivan County area. Grants like this help local shelters maintain and improve the quality of care for animals awaiting adoption. Residents interested in supporting the shelter or adopting a pet can visit the Sullivan County Animal Shelter for more information.
📅 Upcoming Events
April Shop & Hop — Downtown Kingsport
Date/Time: Friday, April 3, 2026 | 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Location: Downtown Kingsport
Downtown Kingsport is the place to be on the first Thursday of each month! Strolling through downtown, you’ll find shops open late, refreshments, special deals, and live music. Find one of the five yellow eggs hidden in downtown businesses during the Shop & Hop to be entered to win an Easter basket full of prizes! Sponsored by First Horizon Bank, this is a great opportunity to shop small and support local businesses.
More info at Downtown Kingsport
2nd Annual Spring Social
Date/Time: Saturday, April 4, 2026 | 11:00 AM
Location: Kingsport Farmers Market, 308 Clinchfield St, Kingsport, TN
The 2nd Annual Spring Social is happening on Saturday, April 4, 2026, starting at 11:00 AM at the Kingsport Farmers Market. This community gathering is a perfect way to welcome the warmer season with neighbors and local vendors. Come out and enjoy the springtime atmosphere at one of Kingsport’s favorite community gathering spots.
Kingsport ARTS Festival 2026
Date/Time: Saturday, April 18, 2026 | 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Location: 100 Shelby St, Downtown Kingsport
The Kingsport ARTS Festival will be presented by Engage Kingsport and Kingsport Cultural Arts Office on April 18th, 2026 in Downtown Kingsport. From glassblowing to music, to storytelling, and so much more, there’s something for everyone — the one-day festival will also feature more than a dozen local and regional vendors, a gallery crawl, and several demonstrations by local art groups. This is the festival’s third annual year and promises to be a full afternoon of creative community connection.
More info at Kingsport Cultural Arts
Exchange Place Spring Garden Fair 2026
Date/Time: Saturday, April 25, 2026 | 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM & Sunday, April 26, 2026 | 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Location: Exchange Place Living History Farm, 4812 Orebank Rd, Kingsport, TN 37664
Admission is $5, with those under 12 admitted free. Join the 40th annual Spring Garden Fair — the oldest garden fair in the region and a favorite among gardeners — featuring thousands of plants for sale, including perennials, annuals, trees and shrubs, with an emphasis on herbs, natives, and heirlooms, along with garden-related arts and crafts. Visitors will see heritage breeds of animals and spring activities on a mid-19th century farm, while volunteers shear sheep, spin and weave wool, make butter, and prepare the garden — with children’s activities and traditional music and foods adding to the experience.
Hobby Horse Derby — Allandale Mansion
Date/Time: Coming in Spring 2026 (date TBD — check kingsporttn.gov for registration)
Location: Allandale Mansion, 4444 W Stone Dr, Kingsport, TN
Kingsport Parks and Recreation is bringing back last year’s breakout springtime event — the Hobby Horse Derby — for an exciting afternoon of jumping, racing, and just plain “horsing around” on the front lawn of Allandale Mansion. Participants of all ages race through barrel courses and jump courses on stick horses, in addition to enjoying a mini arena for younger children. Food trucks will be on site for the duration of the event.
Tennessee Plant Show 2026 — Mother’s Day Weekend Celebration
Date/Time: Saturday, May 9, 2026 | 8:00 AM
Location: MeadowView Conference Resort & Convention Center, 1901 Meadowview Pkwy, Kingsport, TN
The Tennessee Plant Show 2026 Mother’s Day Weekend Celebration is happening on Saturday, May 9, 2026, starting at 8:00 AM at the MeadowView Conference Resort & Convention Center in Kingsport. This is a perfect Mother’s Day weekend outing for plant lovers and gardening enthusiasts of all experience levels. Come browse a wide variety of plants and vendors at one of the region’s most popular plant events of the year.