☀️ Today’s Weather
Overcast skies today with a high of 87°F and a low of 58°F. There’s a 23% chance of rain — keep an umbrella handy just in case.
😄 Only in Kingsport
Kingsport has a living history farm, a planetarium with wolves and otters, and a downtown that hosts both a restaurant week and a car show in the same month. Most cities would call that an ambitious schedule. Kingsport calls it October.
🧠 Trivia Q&A
Question: What Kingsport living history farm gives visitors a look at mid-19th-century life?
Answer at the bottom of today’s newsletter.
🔝 Top Stories
🏫 Kingsport YMCA to Open New Early Learning Center
The Greater Kingsport Family YMCA is expanding to add a new early learning center and will welcome more than 100 children in 2028. The new center will have 10 classrooms and will welcome 145 kids, licensed for children ages six weeks through preschool. The new center will focus heavily on kindergarten readiness, with a curriculum designed to ensure children are kindergarten-ready when they complete the program. The groundbreaking for the early learning center is set for Oct. 27 at 11:30 a.m.
Sponsored by
Two Downtown Kingsport Office Suites, $515 a Month
Starting a business or ready to move out of the spare bedroom? 57 Investments has two 300 sq. ft. suites open at 117 Broad Street, ready for you to move in now. Each one rents for $515 a month with flexible lease terms, and if you need more room, lease both together at a discounted rate. The building dates to 1916, and the suites keep its original wood floors and exposed brick. There’s no elevator, but a chairlift carries you and your clients to the second floor.
You’ll be working alongside nine other businesses upstairs, from attorneys to a barbershop to a music school, all of them small and all of them looking out for each other. Start small, stay as long as you like, and when it’s time to expand, there’s room to grow without leaving the building.
📚 Sullivan County School Board Votes on New District Improvement Plan
Sullivan County education leaders voted on a new district improvement plan aimed at boosting student success, following test scores showing more than half of students struggling in reading and math. The goal is to look past raw numbers and support each child individually, with teachers now receiving student data earlier so they know where each child stands before the school year begins.
🍽️ Kingsport Restaurant Week Set for October
Downtown Kingsport is gearing up for its annual Restaurant Week, featuring more than 30 local businesses, where participants can use a digital passport to check in at different restaurants, cafes, and shops for a chance to win prizes. Organizers say the event highlights the variety of locally owned dining options downtown, with the week running October 5th through 11th.
🚒 Fundraiser Established for First Responders Injured on I-26
A fundraiser has been established to support the first responders who were injured in a crash on Interstate 26 in Sullivan County. The community effort comes after the incident drew widespread attention and concern from area residents. Visit the link below for details on how to contribute.
📅 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.
🍽️ Kingsport Restaurant Week
Date: October 5–11, 2026
Location: Downtown Kingsport
Downtown Kingsport’s annual Restaurant Week features more than 30 local businesses, with a digital passport system allowing participants to check in at different restaurants, cafes, and shops for a chance to win prizes.
🏠 Brickyard Village Grand Opening Celebration
Date: Saturday, October 10, 2026 | 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Location: 2054 Brickyard Park Drive, Kingsport
The grand opening celebration includes home and lot tours, food trucks, giveaways, and a $500 grand raffle prize for Lowe’s Home Improvement.
More info at brickyardvillage.com
🎃 Haunted Hot-Rods Car Show
Date: Saturday, October 10, 2026
Location: Kingsport Farmers Market
The event features classic cars, a costume contest, games, prizes, music, and family-friendly Halloween fun.
More info at kingsportchamber.org
🔨 Beginner Blacksmithing: Seahorse Tool
Date: Saturday, October 11, 2026
Location: The Inventor Center, Kingsport
Participants will forge their own small tool and learn about blacksmithing along the way at this hands-on beginner class.
🎸 John Foster LIVE at Niswonger PAC
Date: Saturday, October 10, 2026 | 7:30 PM
Location: Niswonger Performing Arts Center, Kingsport
American Idol alum John Foster performs live at the Niswonger PAC.
More info at kingsportchamber.org
🎨 #MadeInKingsport 2026
Date: Saturday, October 10, 2026 | 11:00 AM
Location: The Inventor Center, Kingsport
A celebration of local making and creativity at The Inventor Center. Visit the link below for full details.
🫖 A Harvest Afternoon Tea at the Historic Netherland Inn
Saturday, October 24, 2026 | 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM
The Historic Netherland Inn, 2144 Netherland Inn Road, Kingsport
It’s tea time! Wear your fanciest hat and pearls, or come as you are. Tickets are $45 per person. Seating is limited to 50 and sells out quickly.
Reserve at netherlandinnhistoricsite.com, or mail a check payable to The Netherland Inn to Jan Mather, 3584 Crest Rd., Kingsport, TN 37664.
Questions? Call or text Jan Mather at (423) 276-6200 or email jcmath01@gmail.com.
🎨 Art That Moves Us Soirée
Date: Saturday, October 24, 2026
Location: MeadowView Conference Resort & Convention Center, Kingsport
An unforgettable evening from Create Appalachia celebrating creativity, connection, and the artists who make the region thrive.
🦀 SouthEast Crab Feast – Kingsport
Date: Sunday, October 25, 2026 | 2:00 PM
Location: Gypsy Circus, Kingsport
An all-you-can-eat blue crabs and cold cider event — the 4th Annual Crabs and Cider Fall Feast on Sunday, October 25th.
🎃 Candlelight: A Haunted Evening of Halloween Classics
Date: Friday, October 30, 2026 | 8:45 PM
Location: MeadowView Conference Resort and Convention Center, 1901 Meadowview Pkwy, Kingsport
A haunted evening of Halloween classics at MeadowView Conference Resort and Convention Center.
🏃 Haunted Half Marathon
Date: Saturday, October 31, 2026 | 7:30 AM
Location: Kingsport (Visit Kingsport)
The Haunted Half Marathon returns to Kingsport on Halloween morning. Visit the link below for registration and course details.
More info at visitkingsport.com
🤝 Community Partners
🧠 Trivia Answer
Exchange Place, a living history site that preserves the Gaines-Preston Farmstead and offers hands-on programs exploring life in the mid-1800s.