Check out Halloween events across the region!  These listings are not complete, please check back again for more.

ABINGDON

DOUBLE WHAMMY HALLOWEEN TOURS: Oct. 9-10, 16-17, 23-30, 8 p.m. $10. Lucky 13th annual Spirit Tour, led by Famed Haint Mistress Donnamarie Emmert, meets at MWI Gazebo: (276) 676-2282, (800) 345-3440 or (276) 629-3161; STAR MUSEUM, 170 E. Main St. presents ‘Hell’s Belles’, its 3rd annual Halloween tour starring Lizzie Borden, Jayne Mansfield, Janis Joplin and Sharon Tate & Co. (276) 608-7452.

HALLOWSCREAMZ: 19372 Brumley Gap Road, Cornfusion Corn Maze, Haunted Barn, Oct. 16, 17, 23, 24, 30, 31, dark to 11 p.m. (276) 623-1326.

TERROR IN THE VALLEY: Brumley Gap Volunteer Fire Department, Brumley Gap Road, off Route 19, Oct. 16-17, 23-24, 30-31, 7:30-11 p.m., 10th annual haunted forest. Refreshments available for sell. $6 adults/$4 children (12 & under). )276) 628-9341 or e-mail: brumleygapfire@aol.com.

HALLOWEEN WEEKEND CAMP: 25236 Hillman Highway, Southwest Virginia 4-H Center, Oct. 30-Nov. 1, for youth in grades 6-8. Costume contest, pumpkin carving, creating an old-time radio play, astronomy, night-hike, LEGO robotics, storytelling, performance at Barter Theatre and special backstage tour. Pre-register by Oct. 19. (276) 676-6180 or ciden@vt.edu.

HALLOWEEN CANDY BUY BACK: 465 West Main St., Abingdon Pediatric Dentistry, Nov. 3, 3-5 p.m. $1 per pound (up to 10 pounds) Special giveaways and drawings. All candy donations are shipped to our service men and women in Iraq.

BLOUNTVILLE

SULLIVAN CO. SHERIFF’S OFFICE TRUNK OR TREAT: Sheriff’s Office parking lot, Sat. Oct. 31 5:30 - 8 p.m. Enjoy a safe atmosphere for the children to meet some of the Sullivan Co. Sheriff’s Office Deputies as well as trunk or treating. The mounted horse patrol, K-9, D.R.E.A.M. Car, SORT Team, SWAT team and more will be there as well as face painting and lots of goodies being given away. Trick or treat bags will be provided.

HAUNTED APPALACHIAN CAVERNS: 420 Cave Hill Road, through Oct. 31, 7 p.m. until last body is processed. Last tickets will be sold at 12 a.m. Lycans: Prepare to face a legend as old as man himself…Loup Garou, Wolfmen, Werewolves and haunt attraction, Carnevil Klowns. $13 adults per attraction; both $20. (423) 323-2337 or http://www.myspace.com/HuntedAppalachianCaverns.

BLUFF CITY

HAUNTED AUCTION HOUSE: Every Friday and Saturday in October, 8 p.m. $7 adults/$5 12 and under. (423) 957-1166.

BRISTOL

HALLOWEEN FUN AT BROADMORE SENIOR LIVING: Friday, Oct. 30, 2 – 4 p.m. Trick or Treating throughout the building, games, costume contest at 3:15 and pet costume contest at 3:45.

ST. LUKE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH: Oct. 16-17, 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily. Women will hold annual Fall Bazaar and Bake Sale. Bazaar will feature a variety of donated items such as furniture, clothing, toys, linens, seasonal and everyday household items. In addition, apple butter will be available for purchase as well as an assortment of baked goods, breakfast and lunch items. (276) 669-2441.

HAUNTED FOREST: South Holston Ruritan Woods, 415 Meadow Creek Road, Oct. 22, 25, 26, 27, 28 and 29 ‘til 11 p.m.; Oct. 16, 17, 23, 24 and 30 ‘til 12 a.m. Oct. 31, ‘til 1 a.m. Gates open 6:30 p.m. Guided tours of haunted forest start at dark. Concessions available. $7 adults/children under 12, $4/groups of 10 or more, $5 each. (423) 366-1487 or (423) 646-6814. All profits to benefit children’s groups and organizations.

CHILDREN’S LIBRARY: Bristol Public Library, Oct. 27, 4 p.m. Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown, movie shown on big screen in meeting room; Oct. 26, 11:30 a.m. and Oct. 27, 10 a.m. Wear costume and trick-or-treat through the library; Oct. 29, 5:30 p.m. After school Halloween celebration: Wear your costume, bob for apples, create a creepy spider treat and enjoy spooky tale. (276) 821-6153; Oct. 30, 4 p.m. Teen Library with Halloween Party. Pre-register by e-mailing ttotten@bristol-library.org or call (276) 821-6192.

STATE STREET UNITED METHODIST CHURCH: Bristol, Va., 300 West Valley Drive, Oct. 28, Trunk or Treat. Dinner will be from 5:30-6:30 p.m.; Festivities will be from 6:30-8 p.m. Call Paige Morgan, (276) 669-2101 for information.

A BOOOOOTIFUL EVENING: Bristol Mall, Oct. 31, 5:30 p.m. Activities include costume contests for all ages. Contest for best “costumed” pet. Trick or treating throughout the mall. (276) 645-7275.

FALL FESTIVAL: 2455 King Mill Pike, Bristol, Va., Northstar Church, Oct. 31, 5:30-8 p.m. Fun, food, games, hayrides, face painting, inflatables and lots of candy. (276) 466-1825 or http://www.northstarbristol.org.

BRADLEY STREET BAPTIST CHURCH: 2218 Bradley St., Oct. 31, Trunk-or-Treat, 5-8 p.m. regardless of weather.

TRUNKS OF TREATS: Bristol, Tenn., 104 Cypress St., Tennessee Avenue Baptist Church, Oct. 31, 6:30-8 p.m. Fun, food, carnival games, prizes, candy and more. Free. (423) 989-4325.

LIGHT THE NIGHT: Bristol, Tenn., 109 Gate City Highway (old Panda Buffet building), Covenant Fellowship Church, Oct. 31, 6-8 p.m. Festival and Trunk-R-Treat for children ages 0-12. Games, stories, costume contest (no scary or ghoulish costumes) refreshments, music and trunk or treat.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN: Steele Creek Park, Oct. 31, 6-8 p.m., for ages 2-12. Park and walk thru the park for Halloween goodies. Train rides (weather permitting) $1. (423) 764-4023.

BRISTOL VA./TN. COUNTRY SHOW PALACE: 14364 Lee Hwy., Exit 7, Hwy. 81, Campbell Building, Oct. 31, 6 p.m. free to kids and parents. For the kids - special trunk & treat event held inside the Campbell building. Scores of treats for the kids and games to earn special prizes; For adults, 7 p.m. regular country music/dancing. Costumes welcome and encouraged, $5.

TRUNK OR TREAT: Bristol, Va., 1216 Texas Ave., parking lot of East End Christian Church, Oct 31, 5 p.m.
TRUNK OR TREAT: Bristol, Va., Mary’s Chapel Road and Gate City Highway, Mary’s Chapel, Oct. 31, 5-7 p.m. Churches of the Benham’s Circuit will sponsor the event. Children are invited to trick or treat from the numerous decorated car trunks of parishioners.
CHILDREN’S FALL PARTY: Bristol, Va., intersection of King Mill Pike, Valley Dr., and Shakesville Road, (future site of Community Baptist Church), Oct. 24, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Pumpkin hunt with prizes, food and candy, face painting, cake walk, hay rides, etc.

TRUNK OR TREAT CAR SHOW: Tri-Summit Bank parking lot, Downtown Bristol, Friday, Oct. 30, 6-9 p.m. There will be prizes for: Best Costume, Best Costumed Car, plus door prizes, trophies and a 50/50 drawing.  Bring the kids and grand kids; enjoy the classic cars, costumed characters and great candy.

CLINTWOOD

MONSTER MASH: Industrial Park, Vance’s Skateland & Restaurant, Oct. 29, 4 -9 p.m., Oct. 30, -10 p.m., Oct. 31, 2-10 p.m. Games, prizes, cake walks, costume contest, a haunted house and lots more. (276) 926-8888.

ELIZABETHTON

THE HAUNTED FOREST: Oct. 16, 7:30-11:30 p.m. Walk through haunt with all the scary charactes you can think of. $5 per person for kids and up. (423) 297-0503.

FALL BRANCH, TENN.

HOUSE OF MARTYRS II: 441 Horton Highway, LampLight Theatre, Oct. 16-18, 23-26, 28-31, Fridays and Saturdays 6:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. (6:30 p.m., performances only on remaining days). Rated PG-13. Due to the graphic nature of the drama, students under age 13 must have parent’s permission to attend. Suggested donation, $6 for all ages. (423) 348-7610.

GRAY, TENN.

FRIGHTMARE AT THE FAIR: Appalachian Fairgrounds, Friday and Saturday, Oct. 23 & 24 and Oct. 30 & 31 beginning at 7:30 p.m. until. All indoors - Rain won’t spoil your “goulish” fun. $5 per person (Age 5 & under free). For Info - 423-477-3211 or http://www.appalachianfair.com.

COPAS CORN MAZE: Copas Farm, Friday and Saturdays, 1-6 p.m. Over 10 acres offering pumpkins, gourds and autumn decor. Kettle Korn, Italian ice and deep fried oreos and twinkies. For ages 7-12, $5/6 and under free. Hayrides $3.50. (423) 367-0565.

GREENEVILLE, TENN.

FLOATING PUMPKIN PATCH: Greene County YMCA, Thursday, Oct. 29 from 6- 7:30 p.m.; Open swim from 7:30- 8:30 p.m. Come prepared to get wet and have fun as you find your favorite pumpkin floating in the pool. Open to all ages, space is limited to first 50 people. Fee: $5 per pumpkin. 423-639-6107.

JONESBOROUGH

HALLOWEEN HAUNTS AND HAPPENINGS: Historic Downtown Jonesborough, Sat., Oct. 31, 6 – 8 p.m. Trick-or-treating on Main Street, games, costume contests for adults, children and pets, the Witch’s Den, ghost stories, face painting and more. This is a free event. (423) 791-3819 or http://www.historicjonesborough.com.

BLOODHOUNDS II: 920 Old Boones Creek Road, Proud Annie Mystery Theatre, Friday and Saturday nights, 6:30 p.m. with play and dinner. $42.50 per person pus tax for ages 18 and up. (423) 753-3735.

INSANE INN AND FIELD OF SCREAMS: Fender’s Farm, 254 Highway 107, Oct. 16-17, 22-24, 27 and 29-31. Starting at dark. Barn, $10/cornfield, $8 or both, $15. (423) 753-4469 or http://www.fendersmaze.com.

HALES COMMUNITY RURITAN HAUNTED FOREST: Hales Road off of New Boones Creek Road, Oct. 16-17, 23-24, 29-30-31, dark until 11 p.m. $7 per person. Concession stand will be open. Glow necklaces will be sold at the entrance for $2 each. All proceeds will help charitable causes.

FENDER’S FARM CORNFIELD MAZE: 254 Highway 107, Cornfield maze, hayrides, cow train rides, petting zoo, Spookley’s pumpkin patch, two playgrounds and much more. Monday-Thursday, 4-9 p.m.. Friday 4-10 p.m. Saturday, 10-10, Sunday 1-6. (423) 75304459 or http://www.fendersmaze.com.

HALLOWEEN CONCERT: 125 1/2 West Main St, Jonesborough Repertory Theatre, Oct. 24, 7 p.m. Chills and Thrills concert by Cambia Flute Ensemble. Donations accepted. http://www.cambiafluteensemble.com.

JOHNSON CITY

Dr. BO CANDY BUYBACK: Bo Westmoreland, DDS, office on 508 Princeton Rd, Johnson City. Nov. 2, 4-6 p.m.; Help Dr. Bo bring smiles to soldiers serving overseas! Dr. Westmoreland is going to buy your Halloween candy so we can send it to our soldiers. Bring in your UNOPENED Halloween candy on Monday, November 2 between 4-6 pm and Dr. Westmoreland will pay you $1 for every pound. Free toothbrushes and drawing for a gift certificate to Peerless also offered.

TRUNKS OF TREATS Trunks of Treats at Wesley Memorial UMC, 225 Princeton Road, Johnson City, TN. On Saturday, October 24th from 6:00-7:30. Candy, games, treats, cupcake walk, costumes, fun! October 24.

TRICK OR TREAT WITH THE BUCS: Summers-Taylor Stadium on ETSU Campus, Friday, Oct. 30, 3 p.m. Dress in costume to get into the men’s soccer game free; kids can enter to participate in the costume parade on-field during half time. Miss Johnson City 2009, Jessica Nixon, will also be there to tell ghost stories.

KINGSPORT

HAUNTED HALF MARATHON: Downtown Kingsport, Sat. Oct. 31, begins at 3 p.m. in front of Bonefire Smokehouse. Main race will be a 13.1 mile half-marathon, other races include Boo to Brew 4-person relay and Monster Dash Youth Runs. Event followed by Trunk or Treat on Broad Street for children and a Halloween Costume Pub Crawl for adults. http://www.hauntedhalf.com

WITCHES WYND: Exchange Place, Oct. 23-24, 8 p.m. Storytellers will be waiting in the nooks and crannies of the ancient log buildings to relate tales and legends as the audience rotates among them. Seating is limited. Advance tickets, $6. (423) 288-6071.

HALLOWEEN DANCE: Rascals, Oct. 30, 7-10 p.m. $5 per person, tickets at door. Bring a dessert/finger food to share. Band will be Kids Our Age. Open to all area seniors 50 and over. Costumes are optional.

FRIGHT NIGHT BASH: The Golfer’s Edge, Oct. 31, 7:30-10 p.m. Costume contests, prizes, games, music DJ, roast marshmallows, etc. $10 donation per person requested to help save homeless animals in our community. (423) 817-3121.

THE HAUNTED TOMB: 1430 Willow Street, Kingsport. Oct. 23,24,30,31 from dark until 11:30 p.m. Canned food donations will be taken, but not required for entrance. Entry is free. http://www.thehauntedtomb.com

KNOXVILLE

BOO! AT THE ZOO: Knoxville Zoo, Oct. 15-18, 22-25, 5:30-8 p.m. music and games at the Monster Mash tent in the Clayton Family Kids Cove, costumed characters throughout the zoo, haunted carousel, scary-go-round, trick-or-treating and lots more. $6 per person/children under 2 free. Parking $5. (865) 637-5331 or http://www.knoxville-zoo.org.

MARION, VA.

HAUNTING ON THE MARKET: Farmer’s Market Pavilion, Oct. 30, 7-11 p.m. Grown-ups Halloween Party with live music, games, costume contest and more. Free, (276) 783-4190.

HALLOWEEN MADNESS: Downtown Marion, Oct. 31, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Trick-or-Treating for kids 12 and under in costume accompanied by an adult invited to visit participating business for free goodies. Special events at Farmers Market. (276) 783-4190 or http://www.mariondowntown.org.

MAX MEADOWS, VA.

HALLOWEEN SPOOKTACULAR: Visit the Haunted Mansion that really is haunted. Major Graham Mansion, 2115 Major Grahams Road, Oct. 24, 6-10 p.m. Family Night Haunted Mansion Tours, $5 per person; Oct. 31, 7 p.m.-midnight. Music, food, tours, free parking and t-shirts while they last. October 31st Halloween Spooktacular Event, 7 p.m. to midnight, $20 cover charge (half price with college ID or Wythe County resident), $5 haunted mansion tours, live bands, food, beer barn, costume contest with prizes (276) 284-0006 or http://www.grahamfestusa.com.

OAK RIDGE

SPOOKTACULAR HALLOWEEN RIDES: Southern Appalachia Railway Museum Secret City Scenic Train rides, Oct. 30, 6 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 31, 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. and Sunday Nov. 1, 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Daytime trips, children are encouraged to wear their costumes and will have a chance to win prize for best costume. Evening trips 6 p.m. will accommodate those who are seeking additional thrills and chills. Halloween teats for all riders. Reservations suggested. $15 adults/$10 children, 3 thru 12. (865) 241-2140.

UNICOI

GHOST WALKS: Appalachian GhostWalks Haunted Vacations Ghost and History Tours. (423) 743-9255, e-mail Info@AppalachianGhostWalks.com or http://www.AppalachianGhostWalks.com.

For more events, check out our calendar listings for Halloween events.

America’s foremost storytellers will showcase their craft in front of thousands of fans for the 37th annual National Storytelling Festival in Jonesborough, Tennessee’s oldest town, this weekend.
Produced by the International Storytelling Center (ISC), the National Storytelling Festival is the premier platform for professional storytellers. This year’s featured performers include old favorites like Donald Davis and Kathryn Windham, regional voices like Sheila Kay Adams and Bil Lepp, and international perspectives from Roslyn Bresnick-Perry and Niall de Bürca.

Festival performances, which are all staged under big-top tents scattered across historic Jonesborough, will run from 10 a.m. on Friday through 4:30 p.m. on Sunday. Separate ticketing is available for special concerts such as Ghost Stories (8 p.m. on both Friday and Saturday nights) and Midnight Cabaret, which will feature renowned musicians John McCutcheon and Chic Street Man at 10:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, respectively.

Dubbed “the leading event of its kind in America” by USA Today, the festival has been an American institution since 1973. Today, it attracts audience members from across the United States who share the simple desire to have someone tell them a well-crafted story.

Founder Jimmy Neil Smith has dedicated his career to gaining recognition for storytelling as an art form. For him, the festival is a powerful demonstration of storytelling’s universal appeal.

“Most of our lives are increasingly filled with distractions,” Smith observes. “Our event offers the rare opportunity to unplug and spend a few days listening to people talk—leisurely and at length—one at a time. Autumn in Tennessee provides the perfect backdrop. It’s like sitting on the world’s biggest porch.”

This year’s festival features performances by more than more than two dozen storytellers who represent a wide variety of traditions, including folk tales, fairy tales, and ancient legends from across the world. “Our line-up is just as diverse as our audience,” says Susan O’Connor, Director of Programs, who vets the festival’s talent. “Our tellers represent different cultures, ethnicities, styles, and geographic regions. The festival is so much more than a showcase of professional talent; it’s transformative. People go away understanding how stories can enrich their lives at work, in the community, and even at the dinner table.”

Information contributed by the International Storytelling Center.

For more information on the festival . . .

2009 Featured Tellers

Midnight Cabaret: John McCutcheon (Friday) and Chic Street Man (Saturday)

Ghost Stories

All About the Festival

he Unicoi County Chamber of Commerce will hold its 32nd annual Unicoi County Apple Festival on Friday and Saturday, Oct. 2 and 3, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. each day. 

The festival, drawing more than 100,000 annual attendees, has been consistently named one of the Southeast Tourism Society’s Top 20 events in the southeast and is a three-year winner of the Northeast Tennessee Tourism Association’s Pinnacle Award.  The premier two-day event offers something for everyone—handmade crafts, antiques, entertainment, a large children’s area, a Blue Ridge Pottery show and sale, contests and a smorgasbord of food!

CRAFTS
The craft festival, featuring nearly 350 vendors from around the country, will be lined along the downtown streets of Erwin showcasing their unique arts, crafts and foods.

ENTERTAINMENT
Four stages will be included in this year’s festival line-up.  The Toyota Gospel Stage and the Appalachian Community Federal Credit Union Stage will both consist of continuous entertainment on Friday and Saturday.  Top gospel groups from around the nation will praise the Lord in song on the Toyota Gospel Stage located on the corner of Main Avenue and Love Street.  The Appalachian Community Federal Credit Union Stage, located in the Gathering Place Park, will feature primarily bluegrass artists from across the region.

This year’s gospel lineup includes: The Melody Trio, Naomi and the Segos, The Foundations, The American Quartet and Majestic Heights. Concerts begin at 10 a.m. each day and continue until 8 p.m. Friday and 6:30 p.m. Saturday.
Bluegrass artists include Appalachian Trail Bluegrass Band, Ralph Jeffers, Laura Kaufman, Highway 11 and Tomahawk.

The Chamber Stage, new to the festival this year, will be located at the end of Gay Street near the Nolichucky Street intersection.  This stage will highlight local talent, dancers and contest winners. A fourth stage will be added to the already large children’s area in the Erwin Town Hall parking lot.  This stage will feature scheduled entertainment for children of all ages by the Unicoi County High School Drama Department.

For a complete schedule of performances, click here.

CHILDREN’S AREA
The children’s area, sponsored by the Unicoi County Family YMCA, will also feature games and rides for the young and young at heart.

CUISINE
Bring your appetite and let it have a festival.  You can enjoy everything from Chinese to Greek foods, traditional foods such and barbecue and homemade hamburgers to apple pies and apple fritters.  For your convenience, two food courts including tables and chairs have been established.

CONTESTS
To enliven one’s competitive spirit, the Unicoi County Apple Festival includes many activities and contests.  For those with an appetite to cook, the University of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service offers a cooking contest for both adults and youth.  The fifth annual Miss Unicoi County Apple Festival Pageant, taking place the weekend prior to the festival, will crown “Pageant Queens” in eight age divisions.  The Unicoi County High School Band will sponsor the Apple Dumpling contest, a fundraising contest for the band in which children may vie for the title of Apple Dumpling of the Year.

For the athletic competitors, a weeklong tennis tournament, sponsored by Farm Bureau Insurance will be held at Fishery Park.  On October 3, runners from across a five-state region will converge on the streets of Erwin for the running of the Nuclear Fuel Services Apple Festival 4-mile footrace and 2-mile race walk.

Partnering together for a third year, the Valley Beautiful Beacon Newspaper and the Chamber will host the second annual Apple Festival Photography Contest in which amateur photographers can showcase their work and compete for prize ribbons in various divisions.

The 30th annual Blue Ridge Pottery show and sale, held at the Unicoi County Middle School, is a must-see for Blue Ridge pottery collectors and admirers.  Rare pieces can often be found during the show.  Blue Ridge Pottery, now sought after by collectors worldwide, originated in Unicoi County.

To ensure the safety of the large number of attendees, festival organizers ask that you please do not bring pets onto the festival grounds.  Bicycles and skateboards are also not permitted on festival grounds. 

Music fans from at least 30 states and five foreign countries have Sept. 18-20 circled on their calendars.

That’s when they can immerse themselves in Bristol’s Rhythm & Roots Reunion. The annual downtown music festival that pays homage to the Twin City’s heritage as the birthplace of country music and an early center of bluegrass music. About 160 bands and individuals are scheduled to perform on three outdoor stages and 18 indoor venues in a four-block area of State Street during the ninth annual event.

Earlier this year, the Virginia Convention and Visitors Bureau named Rhythm & Roots its Best Destination Event of the year. The award was presented for building a successful event around community assets.

Loveless, a member of the Grand Ole Opry and many time Country Music Association award winner, is scheduled to perform Saturday at 9 p.m., on the State Street stage. Among the locally-based players are Reagan Boggs, the ETSU Bluegrass Band, Dale Jett, Roan Mountain Hilltoppers, Annie Robinette and April Taylor.

This year’s festival begins Friday at 5 p.m., with performances scheduled throughout the weekend.

Search this year’s performances and times below!

Click here for a map of the festival grounds.
For more information, including artist info and ticketing information, visit the Rhythm and Roots Festival home page.

ABINGDON, Va. – It was a small affair, just a few dozen people gathered around a cake to sing “happy birthday” in the main building of the Washington County Fairgrounds.

But the fair kicked off its 60th year Monday night, making it one of the oldest fairs in Virginia, said Kenneth Reynolds, who is president of the fair and chairman of the Washington County Board of Supervisors.

“We just hope that everybody will continue to have fun at the fair as they have for the past 60 years,“ Reynolds said. “The fair is a fun event and it’s our goal to keep it as a fun event for the family.“

This year’s fair runs through Saturday and features livestock events, carnival rides and an entertainment lineup of popular country stars.

A lot has changed since the fair began in a tobacco warehouse in town.

“We had the cows, the chickens, all the crafts in one building, music and all,“ said Irene Meade, who has volunteered at the fair for 45 years and cut the cake.

“The county fair was always the first glimpse you got to see of the new automobile models,“ said John Berry, who remembers the fair of the 1950s.

“It [the fair] was a big draw back then because you didn’t have a lot of TV and you didn’t have the video games for the kids. There wasn’t a whole lot of entertainment, so when the fair came around it was a family affair. … If you got to see a country singer, you saw them at the fair.“

Back in 1958, admission was just 25 cents for adults and 15 cents for children; the price has gone up over the years as the event has expanded – first to one building and now to several with outdoor activities on the fairgrounds, which were purchased in 1975. The carnival activities were added in 1988.

Those who have seen it grow say it has improved steadily, but many say that even with all the changes, it hasn’t lost the feel of a county fair.

“To walk in here, it looks exactly the way it did when I won,“ said Christa Atwell-Morton, who won the titles of Miss Washington County and Miss Burley Tobacco Festival in 1993 and appeared along with other past winners at Monday’s pageant as part of the fair’s 60th birthday festivities. “It’s still home.“

“Not that many traditions are around anymore,“ said Blakelee Peters, who won the Miss Washington County pageant in 1996. “I think it’s awesome.“

Kay Saul, who has volunteered at a fair booth since 1976, joined others in an observation that attendance was down – even from its normal slow start on Monday night. She blames the economy and the $10 price of admission for the temporary slump.

But for folks like Sabrina Fleenor, who remembers being a beauty queen the same year she showed cattle, the fair remains an important tradition no matter the state of the economy.

“I think it helps boost our local economy, the fair does, so we always try to come out and support that,“ said Fleenor, who brought her extended family to the fair this year to watch her children show their pigs. “I think it’s changed dramatically [over the years], but in a wonderful sense.“

Deanna Reynolds, a fair volunteer and wife of fair President Kenneth Reynolds, said she’s sure there will be many more changes over the next 60 years – but she hopes the hometown feel will stay the same.

“I’m sure there will be a lot of changes, but I’d like it to still maintain the character of the county fair, highlighting the history of the county, which really is based on our agricultural heritage, to maintain our roots and build on that and involve the community and the people in the community,“ she said.

dmccown@bristolnews.com | (276) 791-0701

WHAT: Washington County Fair

WHEN: Through Saturday

WHERE: Washington County Fairgrounds in Abingdon, Va.

ADMISSION: $10 adults, $2 children ages 6-12

It’s fair time in Tennessee and this year’s Appalachian Fair in Gray will have plenty to offer. This year’s theme is “Embracing the Past.. Flying into the Future.“ The fair will open on August 24 and continue through August 28.

Check our other listings here on TriCities.com to see events, such as live entertainment, the “Fairest of the Fair” competition and other activities.

General admission to the fair is $8, and children 6-11 are $3 each. Children 5 and under get in free with an adult.

If you’re trying to figure out just which day to enjoy the fair, or if you want to go all week, here’s a list of special programs:

School Day

Monday, Aug 24 - Through high school
admitted free until 6 p.m.

Second Harvest Food Bank Promotion

Tuesday, Aug 25 - Bring 5 Cans of Food Products & Receive coupons for 2 Midway Rides

Senior Americans Day (60 & over)

- Thursday, Aug 27 - $4.00

TN Family Community Education Clubs Day

Thursday, Aug 27 - Free Admission with FCE Card until 6:00 p.m.

Family Fun Night At The Fair!

Mom & Dad bring your children on Thursday, August 27th and your Children will be admitted *FREE*
(Limit of 4 children with paying parents)

Buildings open Monday through Friday at 3 p.m. and close at 10 p.m.  Buildings open Saturday at 10 a.m. and close at 10 p.m.

Ride Specials

Monday, August 24th - 3: p.m. - 7 p.m. - Unlimited Rides $18
Wednesday, August 26th - 3 p.m. - 7 p.m. - Unlimited Rides $18
Saturday, August 29th - 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.  - 2 for 1 Rides (2 People Ride for the price of 1)

It’s time for the annual Umoja festival and this year’s lineup promises a diverse group of entertainment.

The festival, which has an annual attendance of more than 30,000 people, brings together people in East Tennessee and across the region to celebrate African American culture, diversity and the acceptance and education of other cultures.

View a slideshow from last year’s events.

The East Tennessee State University Storytelling – Umoja Festival partnership brings storyteller Linda Goss and a West African tradition-bearer, Obakunle Akinlana and his ensemble to the festival stage this Friday and Saturday.

The events, held on the grounds of the Freedom Hall Civic Center in Johnson City, includes storytelling, food, cultural merchandise, information booths, medical screenings, games and music.

The Umoja festival opens with a grand opening event, which includes a call of the drums, along with Shaka Zulu, an African stilt-walker, and a dance company.

“The word Umoja means unity in Swahili, and that’s exactly what this festival is about – unity,” Brenda Whitson, executive director of the Johnson City Convention and Visitor’s Bureau stated in a recent press release. “Besides being a family-friendly weekend event, the festival provides an exceptional educational experience. It represents various cultures and their traditions through an entertaining, storytelling experience.”

If you’re interested in attending the Umoja Festival, held Friday, August 7 through Saturday, August 8, see the schedule of events below:

Friday, August 7

5 p.m. Opening Ceremony / Call of the Drums with Rev. Vincent Dial and Shaka Zulu
5:30 p.m. Amythayst Phillips
6:30 p.m. Storytelling with Obakunle Akinlana
7:15 p.m. Scat Cats
8:15 p.m. Shaka Zulu
9:15 p.m. Risse

Saturday, August 8

10 a.m.    Parade
1-6 p.m.  Classic Cruise-In
1-11 p.m. Water Wars
4-9 p.m.  Children’s Carnival
12-5 p.m.  Health Fair (Northeast TN Minority Resource Network)
1-3 p.m.  Gospel Fest
3:30 p.m. Shaka Zulu
4 p.m.    Rhythm of the Ridge Drum Circle
5 p.m.    Reggae Infinity
6:30 p.m. Workshop with Kuumba Watoto Dancers and Drummers
6:30 p.m.  Shaka Zulu with Kuumba Watoto Dancers and Drummers
7:30 p.m.  Storyteller
8:15 p.m   Xavier (Comedy)
9 p.m.     Free Flow

ABINGDON, Va. – Youth is the word this year at the Virginia Highlands Festival.

Events planned for kids, teens and families at this year’s festival include a family fun day, a camp-out on the Virginia Creeper Trail and an “Abingdon Idol” talent competition.

“We urge you to bring your kids and your grandkids,” 2009 Festival President Bob Trent said of this year’s event. The festival is in its 61st year.

“We see that the future is the children,” said Priscilla Miller, co-chair of youth events.

“We think if they have a good experience at the festival, they’ll remember that,” said her co-chair Nikki Hicks, “and they’ll bring their children back and it’ll continue to grow.”

Each Saturday of the festival features big activities geared for kids and families.

The Highlands Festival kickoff events July 25 will include a “Kids on Wheels Parade” at 6 p.m. followed by a street party that includes inflatables, games and face-painting.

Saturday, Aug. 1, will be Family Fun day from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Latture Field, where activities will include inflatables, a rock wall, visits from Ripley’s Aquarium and the Bristol White Sox, and an assortment of games. Balloon-twisting begins at 8:15 p.m. and “Tales of Despereaux,” a G-rated, Universal Pictures animated film about a fearless mouse, will be shown on a large inflatable screen at dark, also on Latture Field.

Also on Aug. 1 will be an eco-fair, with live music, local food tastings and family-friendly activities from 1-6 p.m. at the Farmers Market Pavilion.

A camp-out on the Virginia Creeper Trail is planned for Saturday, Aug. 8, complete with kids’ activities and a campfire with s’mores.

“It’s kind of an urban camping experience,” said Steve Lindeman, a member of the Virginia Creeper Trail Club, which is hosting the camping event in conjunction with the town and the festival.

“It’s also unique because you’re not allowed to camp on the Creeper Trail and once a year they’re going to open up that place and allow it to happen.”

Specifically for teens, Bill Eberhardt is planning three big events: an “Abingdon Idol” talent contest Aug. 4, a Battle of the Bands on Aug. 5 and an offbeat competition throughout the festival that he describes as “a combination of ‘The Amazing Race’ and ‘Survivor’ ” that pits teams against one another in a series of wacky contests.

“These are the kids that are going to come back to be leaders in the community,” Eberhardt said about the importance of teen-centered events, which he has worked on over the past few years. “If we don’t tell them now that we care about them, what reason do they have to come back [to live in Abingdon]?”

Trent, the 2009 festival president, said with the recession it wouldn’t surprise him to see a drop in sales of more-expensive art and craft items compared to last year’s event – but he anticipates lower-priced items will sell as always.

Meanwhile, he said, the added focus on family-friendly activities will help get local folks downtown for fun events that don’t require them to spend a lot of money.

Virginia Highlands Festival
When: July 25-Aug. 9
Details: http://www.vahighlandsfestival.org/
Festival office: (276) 623-5266.

Fun Fest winds up with the announcement of winners in the Treasure Tracker contest.

Lisa Shipley, Kingsport, was the final qualifier through the Kingsport Town Center/Old Island Community Map Game.  Shipley won a $100 gift card and a medallion and joined daily winners on stage for the final game. 

The event in Kingsport today was hosted by Taylor Morgan and Steve Mann from the WTFM Tri Cities Wake Up Crew. The finale began with a t-shirt cannon shooting commemorative treasure tracker t-shirts out to the crowd, while others threw handfuls of candy. 

The big winners of the evening were Devin Rutledge and his fiancee Tanya Cox. THe couple were Tuesday’s winners during treasure hunting week. “Rutledge said in a dream last night that he was told to choose the #4 case, and Boy! was that a lucky dream,“ according to a recent press release.

Word is, the lucky couple will tie the knot next year.

Fun Fest 2009 kicked off today with a party, Big Easy style.

The annual bead toss started the Mardi Gras party which marks the official beginning of Kingsport’s Fun Fest.

This year Fun Fest is taking place July 10 through the 18th. The first Fun Fest was held in 1981 to promote harmony and fellowship in the Kingsport community.

Click here for a complete list of Fun Fest events!

To view live, video coverage of Fun Fest, click here.

CONTRIBUTED BY THE CITY OF KINGSPORT

Kingsport is mixing up their usual Fun Fest activities this year, branding their concert series as well as adding two new ways to purchase tickets.

The three main concerts at J. Fred Johnson Stadium will known be known as the Sunset Series.

Fun Fest Chair, Wanda Valentine comments, “This year, we have branded the three main concerts as a series in order to build excitement and unity while holding onto tradition.  From this point forward, the three concerts will be marketed together and known as the Sunset Series.”

This year, performers will include Luke Bryan, Peter Frampton and the Marshall Tucker Band.

The series opener, Luke Bryan, presented by AGC Flat Glass will take the Brock Services stage, Thursday, July 16.  Opening for Luke Bryan are April Taylor, Top Female Independent Artist of the Year for 2008 on the Music Row Charts, and Joey and Rory.

Grammy Award Winner Peter Frampton is kicking off his summer tour in Kingsport with a concert presented by Domtar and Eastman Credit Union on Friday, July 17.  Opening for Grammy Award Winner Peter Frampton are North Fork Switchgrass and Driving Miss Crazy featuring Trey Hensley.

The Marshall Tucker Band presented by Eastman Chemical Company will take the stage Saturday, July 18.  Two crowd pleasing tribute bands will open for The Marshall Tucker Band.  A Musical Tribute to Jimmy Buffet by Air Margaritaville and Hotel California, A Salute to the Eagles.

Brock Services, Ltd will be the stage sponsor for the Sunset Series.  All three concerts will be held in J. Fred Johnson Stadium at Dobyns Bennett High School, 1800 Legion Drive in Kingsport.

This year Fun Fest is thrilled to announce two new outlets to purchase concert tickets.  Beginning May 4, tickets can be purchased online, click here.  Tickets are $10 per night of the Sunset Series.  New this year, tickets for the Sunset Series will also be available at all Zoomerz locations beginning June 20. As usual, the Fun Fest Store in the Kingsport Town Center/Fort Henry Mall will also have tickets available.  Ticket prices will increase to $15 at all outlets on July 10.

Friends of Festus packages are a value-added option for concert-goers.  Friends of Festus VIP seating packages are $100 for two seats for individual concert nights or $200.00 for those planning to attend the entire Sunset Series.  The package also includes a reserved parking area close to the stadium and a $15 Fun Fest merchandise gift certificate.  Friends of Festus packages are available now in the Fun Fest office at the Kingsport Chamber of Commerce, 151 East Main Street, Kingsport (423-392-8806).

Fun Fest is a program of The Kingsport Chamber of Commerce and the Kingsport Convention and Visitors Bureau.

For all the latest on Fun Fest you can visit their web site, here.

Jonesborough, Tennessee’s oldest town - celebrates the 39th annual Jonesborough Days celebration throughout the historic district, July 3-5. The Jonesborough Days 2009 Festival will kick-off on Friday July 3 at 10 am with the parade and continue throughout the weekend, ending at 5 pm on Sunday July 5.  The Fireworks celebration will be held at 10 pm on Friday July 3 and will be sponsored by Dynamic Effects.   

For a complete schedule click here.

The Jonesborough Days patriotic celebration theme this year will be “Red Rockets, White Lies, and Bluegrass.” Red rockets represents the Jonesborough Days fireworks, which are some of the best in the region; white lies represents our storytelling heritage and celebrates the storytelling tradition that has made us the “storytelling capital of the world”; and there will be bluegrass music on the main stage and on our new addition – “Doc’s Front Porch”.  This area is in honor of the late Doc McConnell, who had a huge impact on storytelling in Jonesborough and throughout the country. 

His legendary Medicine Show has been a part of Jonesborough Days and the Storytelling Festival since their beginning.  In his honor, we have featured him in this year’s Jonesborough Days logo. The Jonesborough Novelty Band is also on the logo, which is a favorite at many community events in every season. You may purchase a shirt with the logo for $10 at the Historic Jonesborough Visitors Center, 117 Boone Street.
During the festival, there will be free music on the Main Stage from Friday July 3 until Sunday July 5. Trey Hensley will be on the Main Stage on Saturday night at 8pm. There will be Gospel singing on the Main Stage on Sunday by the Hood family singers. Other points of interest include crafters that are required to have hand-made items; youth village with children’s stage; a new green village with conservation information and Farmer’s Market; antique tractor expo; Civil War Encampment; Native American Village; county fair games and inflatables; and more. Back by popular demand….the riding bull!

Eastman Credit Union will be back for their third year with a children’s play area and free mini train rides. For the young and young at heart there will be a country fair with games; a youth village with a children’s stage sponsored by First Tennessee Bank that will include a magician and young singers; old – time children’s and adult games; and much more fun!

First Tennessee Bank will return for their second year sponsoring the youth area with children’s stage. There will be a huge pile of sand with toys for the children so they can play just like they are at the beach! Activities will be happening throughout the day with magic, music, and storytelling featuring Dr. Dilly Dally and Judy Butterfly.

Children of all ages can experience 19th century rural education and Heritage Games provided by The Heritage Alliance at Oak Hills School. Classes begin promptly for one hour and you must not be tardy! The Oak Hill School Heritage Education Program is a “living classroom” which your child to experience the life of a young person in 1892. Our curriculum is based on the detailed 1892-1893 diary of a Washington County TN School Superintendent. We know what his teachers were teaching and how they were teaching it. Children gain an understanding of the lives of their peers through this glimpse of a typical school day. Designed for a single classroom, Oak Hill School is an experience your children will treasure!

More than 30 crafters will be on historic Main Street. They’ll have hand-made children’s toys, herbs and oils, candles, jewelry, baby items, and more. One crafter will be painting and creating smiles. Daniel Lasris has been painting faces on little kids of all ages from 9 to 99 for the past 8 years. He is originally from Tampa, Florida, but he now spends most of his time in Abingdon, Virginia. He found his talent while in Helen, Georgia and started painting smiles for tips on the main street. He has been to many festivals and events in the Tennessee, Virginia, Alabama and all across the United States. With paintings that are compared to Disney and prices that are far less, he has amassed a following that will always stick with him until the end of time. His keen eye for detail is met with a steady hand and pleasant blending of color. The “OOOH’s” and “AAAH’s” are never far behind when a finished piece is done. One look at his work and you will be breathless!

Debbie Jackson of Johnson City, Tennessee will bring hundreds of hand-made jewelry pieces filled with beads from around the world. Judy Foster of Jonesborough, Tennessee will bring her store to the street. She has a unique talent of bringing clay pots and figurines to life. She also has classes and do-it-yourself sessions at her store in the shopping center beside Burger King in Jonesborough. For class times call 423.426.1027. C David Cook of Jonesborough will return with his photos of natural beauty and surrounding regional landscapes. For a sneak peak visit The Dining Room Restaurant and Town Hall in Jonesborough or online at c-david-cook.smugmug.com.

“This festival has been recognized by the Southeast Tourism Society as a Top 20 event of the Southeast in 2009,” boasts Event Chair, Melinda Copp, “and was recently honored by Northeast Tennessee Tourism Association with a pinnacle award for the 2008 festival.  Our dynamic committee is going to build on the successes of last year and make this year’s event even bigger and better!”

The new green village will encourage conservation of our earth through energy efficiency, eco-architecture, organic gardening, and much more.
• Roy Settle with the Appalachian RC & D Council, in partnership with David Crockett FFA, will show how to build and install a rain barrel. There will be pre-made barrels for sell as well as a barrel kit to put together yourself.
• The Tuesday Garden Club will be demonstrating “Plant a Seed” for all ages.  People will get to take home their own seed pod and seeds.
• The Johnson City Power Board will be having a seminar on energy efficiency in your home, demonstrating ways to conserve energy and resources.
• Black Hawk Real Estate will be setting up a booth and having seminars Fri.-Sun. on green architecture. Black Hawk is an EarthCraft House builder, so they will be showing us the new technology with eco-architecture and energy & resource efficient homes.  They currently have 2 homes in New Halifax that are EarthCraft certified.
• Depot Street Brewery will have a booth set-up for the festival to inform visitors of the steps they are taking to reuse and recycle.  Depot Street Brewery uses used cooking oil to make a bio-diesel that they run in all delivery trucks.  They also offer refillable glass growlers to help with their green movement.
• Patrick McCammon, Urban Forester for the Town of Jonesborough, will be providing a seminar on Saturday to inform and educate on what measures the town is taking in regards to bio-retention. 
• Englewood Lawn & Landscaping will have a booth and be performing seminars on draught landscaping and low-water irrigation systems.
• Jonesborough Farmer’s Market will be set-up on Spring Street to encourage folks to buy local and save gas and money.

The Historic Jonesborough Dance Society will be holding their annual Days of Dance in the Visitors Center on Friday and Saturday, July 3 and 4. All dances are accompanied by live music and require a nominal admission price. Instructors will be present to help with contra dancing, swing, and the waltz.

The Jonesborough Repertory Theatre will be presenting their all-time favorite- 1940’s USO Show. Performances start Wednesday July 1 and will continue through Sunday July 5. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for Veterans and students. Tickets are available at the Historic Jonesborough Visitors Center, 117 Boone Street, by Visa or MasterCard by calling 423.753.1010, and will be available in front of the theatre July 3-5.

Festivities will be happening from Tuesday, June 30 until Sunday, July 5. You can come for a week, a weekend, or a day and enjoy family fun, our charming town, and Wetlands Water Park. You can even stay forever because Jonesborough is easy to get to, but hard to leave!

Other sponsors include Food City of Jonesborough, Bojangle’s of Jonesborough, Phil Bachman Toyota-Scion, and Stafford Custom Graphics. Please thank them for their support of the biggest event of the year!

For more information on events all year round and dining/lodging accommodations, visit the Historic Jonesborough Visitors Center, 117 Boone Street, call locally (423) 753-1010, call toll-free (866) 401-4223 or log onto historicjonesborough.com or join our facebook fan page called HISTORIC JONESBOROUGH Visitors Center & Museum.

GRAY, Tenn. – “Is that the best you can do?” Bozo shouted. “My grandma can throw harder than you!”
Bozo, the red-painted clown manning the dunking booth at the Appalachian Fair, was antagonizing a father-daughter team who were pelting balls as hard as they could in his direction.
“You side-armed sissy!”
Adrian, Paul Grigg’s 10-year-old daughter, was fuming. In a failed attempt to redeem her father’s honor, she took a running start and lobbed a ball as hard as she could, missing the mark by several feet.
“That was close,” her dad encouraged her.
“Close?” shouted the clown, cackling maniacally.
Six balls and $4 in, the Griggs still hadn’t dropped Bozo into the 250-gallon water tank below his perch.
Adrian turned to him, yelled “you’re mean” and stuck out her tongue.
“Don’t stick your tongue out, girl,” Bozo hollered. “You look like a zipper.”
Bozo, a 39-year-old Elizabethton native, has been the obnoxious dunking clown with the traveling amusement company since 2000. He calls his 5-by-10-foot cage his home, and torments passers-by from a microphone duct taped to the ceiling.
He said he’s been dunked quite a few times since they’ve been back in Gray.
The Appalachian Fair is the second largest in the state of Tennessee. Although, attendance numbers are down slightly this year, a fair official said. On Monday, 23,881 people swept through, Tuesday saw 29,151, and Wednesday, 33,108.
But Bozo said he expects the weekend to bring in larger crowds seeking an Americana-good time.
Down the way, two blonde siblings, Ethan and Charis Martin, ate their first funnel cake and rode their first roller coaster.
“This is the only time they’ve ever been on anything quite this high and quite this fast,” said their mother, Amy Martin. She and her husband, Mike, are Christian missionaries in Indonesia, and back in the country to visit his Piney Flats mother and introduce their children to American culture.
For that, they said, there’s no better place to start than the fair.
Ethan pulled huge chunks of dough from the paper plate, while Charis poked her finger into the powdered sugar and licked it.
Ten minutes later, with just a little help from their parents, the paper plate was empty.
The kids have seen monkeys pluck potato chips from their mother’s hand, Amy Martin said. But, they’re amazed by mailboxes and the ferris wheel.
Off the midway, another set of siblings feels a bit more at home.
The brother and sister duo from Hill Valley Farm in Jonesborough got to skip two days of school to show off their good-looking sheep.
They form something of a grooming assembly line and usher their brood, all named after country stars, from bath to blow dry to trim.
“It’s funner than you think,” a freckled Darin Gardner, 11, said while pushing a bowlegged sheep named Shania Twain into position on the sheering stand.
He and his sister, Brittany, 13, are newcomers to the sheep-showing business. This is their third year at the fair, and they pointed out the stiff competition. The awards are based on the “structural correctness” of the sheep, Brittany said, while Darin practiced his answers for the judges toughest questions. A shiny belt buckle doesn’t hurt either.
“This is one of the best family things I can imagine,” said their mom, Alison McCracken. “We travel together, we’ve been here since 7 o’clock this morning, and we’ll probably stay until midnight tonight.”
The kids show their sheep today and Saturday. They think they’ve got a winner in Kellie Pickler.
Meanwhile, in the distance, a very mean clown is shouting: “Hey, Blondie. Miss Clairol called. She wants her bottle back!”

cgalofaro@bristolnews.com | (276) 645-2531

Maggie Valley, NC –  House of Terror, a haunted attraction located within the mile-high theme park, will open for the fall season on Thursday, September 3.  It will be open Thursdays through Sundays until Sunday, November 1st.
House of Terror will be open from sunset till the last person leaves.  Pricing is $20 for ages ten and up and $10 for children under 10.  The cost is only $10 for all ages with the purchase of a full-day admission to Ghost Town.  The attraction is not recommended for children under 5 and must be accompanied by an adult.  Tickets can be purchased at the park or online at http://www.ghosttowninthesky.com.

“We are working in conjunction with MPoint Productions out of Miami, Florida.  They have organized and operated multi-day events all over the country,” explains Steve Shiver, President and CEO of Ghost Town.  “They will be able to offer the region something unlike any other entertainment around. And, who else can offer a 15-minute chairlift ride with 75-degree inclines up the side of a mountain, after sundown, before the haunt even starts?”

MPoint Productions began House of Terror in 2000 in Miami, Florida, with an attendance of over 125,000.  In 2002, House of Terror was voted by USA Today as one of the top ten places to spend the Halloween season in the United States. House of Terror has been selected by UThis year’s House of Terror is expecting over 25,000 visitors to come out for its debut in Maggie Valley.

The event’s organizer, Peter Abad, states, “Ghost Town was a natural choice for this years House of Terror venue. The park which has a great location on the top of the mountain in Maggie Valley, offers ample space, with night time views that are breathtaking and are easily converted to scare the pants off all of the attendees. Also, by hosting House of Terror at Ghost Town , we can also help stimulate the area’s economy and make the season just a little bit longer. House of Terror is a unique, first class production that will bring numerous benefits to Ghost Town and surrounding businesses. It will be a win-win all around.”

According to Sheriff Ed Graybeal, the Sheriff’s Office will have a vehicle competing in the contest Friday, August 28, 2009.

Although the vehicle is identical to that of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office cruisers, it is a seized Crown Vic that was headed for the scrap yard. Through community donations the Sheriff’s Office was successful in preparing the vehicle with the assistance of inmate labor in painting it from black to white. Credit for the stripping is given to Foster Signs in Jonesborough.

Although rules restrict blue lights from being attached, the Demolition Cruiser is sure to be a target of other drivers during the contest. Lieutenant Randall Wines, a Watch Commander with the Sheriff’s Office will pilot the Number 100 “Demolition Cruiser”. Any contest monies received will be donated to a local charity. The Sheriff encourages everyone to come out and support the “Demolition Cruiser” and the Washington County Sheriff’s Office.

Check out the fun going on at the Appalachian Fair!

TriCities.com visited the Appalachian Fair in Gray Wednesday night and caught some great shots of people having fun on the rides as well as the motocross races and the barnyard babies!

Photos by Heather and Grant Provencher

Be a part of “The Great American SPAM Championship”.

This “darling of recipe contests” is always a favorite among fairgoers and cooks. It encourages culinary creativity and savvy cooking skills. SPAM Champions are selected based on the TASTE, ORIGINALITY and PRESENTATION of their SPAM inventions. Contestants use their creativity to make any amazing appetizer and up to 10 ingredients. First, second and third place are rewarded with prize money and blue ribbons! First place recipes advance to national judging.

The Appalachian Fair SPAM Contest will take place on Wednesday August 26. Judging begins at 3 p.m.

Entries are delivered on-site and judged live during the fair at the Farm and Home Building on the First Floor Stage

Adults Win (1st Prize: $150 2nd Prize: $50 3rd Prize: $25)

National Grand Prize of a Trip to the SPAM JAM Waikiki event in Hawaii next April or $3000!

Kids Win (1st Prize: $60 2nd Prize: $30 3rd Prize: $10)

National Grand Prize of $2000!

The deadline for team registration in the 2009 Mountain States Dragon Boat Festival at Winged Deer Park in Johnson City is this Friday. Don’t miss your chance to participate in this day of competition, fun and team camaraderie.

Registration is $800 for corporate teams, and $750 for nonprofit organization/community teams. Admission is free to the public and the race begins at 9 a.m. on Sept. 19 (registration starts at 8 a.m.).

“Don’t let your company sit on the sidelines,” said Patty Bolton, Mountain States Foundation project manager. “You have just a few days left to become a part of our region’s most exciting event.”

With its roots buried deep in Chinese history, dragon boat racing has spread in popularity all over the world. The sport is making waves in more than 60 countries and is quickly becoming one of the world’s fastest-growing team water competitions.

Mountain States Foundation is giving companies the opportunity to take part in this event. Teams will be composed of 20 rowers, one drummer and a professional steersman as they paddle down the 250-meter course. Each team will compete in two heats in pursuit of the fastest time and a slot in the championship round.

One week prior to the race, teams will be coached by a professional steersman from Nova Scotia. In addition to exercise, participants will experience team camaraderie as they strengthen and build new relationships. Company tents permit businesses to advertise and mingle with an estimated 9,000 spectators.

Community members are also encouraged to participate in the day’s events. Craft vendors, food and entertainment for the children accompany the dragon boat race.

All submissions must be made by Friday. Visit http://www.msha.com/foundation for team registration. For more information on the 2009 Mountain States Dragon Boat Festival, call Patty Bolton at 423-952-3114 or e-mail BoltonPS@msha.com.

The Appalachian Fair is packed full of great entertainment for all ages. The fair opens today and runs through August 29 – there will be live entertainment each evening.

Main stage shows will begin each night at 8 p.m.

On Monday, Randy Houser will be performing. Houser’s hits include “Anything Goes” and “Boots On”. Tickets are $5 each.

On Tuesday, Aug. 25, the Eli Young Band will take the main stage. Hits include “Always the Love Song”, and “When it Rains”. Walker Hayes will open for the Eli Young Band at 7 p.m. Tickets to the show are $5.

Wednesday, Aug. 26, Jimmy Wayne will perform hits such as “I Will” , and “I Love You This Much”. Tickets are $7 each.

Thursday’s main stage entertainment will be The Lost Trailers, who perform “Holler Back” and “How Bout You Don’t”. Tickets are $5.

On Friday, Aug. 28, Lady Antebellum, whose hits include “Love Don’t Live Here” and “I Run To You”, will perform. Tickets are $7.

Saturday night, Aug. 29, former Daniel Boone graduate and native son Nick Nicholson will return to East Tennessee to open for Jimmy Fortune (formerly of the Statler Brothers). Tickets to the show are $5.

Free grandstand seating for all shows is available with gate admission of $8 for adults and $3 for children ages 6 – 11 when accompanied by an adult.

For more information, visit the Appalachian Fair Web site.

CONTRIBUTED

Each year, the Virginia Highlands Festival commissions an artist to create a signature piece to represent the Festival and its theme.  For 2009, the Festival chose Val Lyle of Bristol, Tennessee as their signature artist.  Lyle graciously offered her newest sculpture, “Entwined Dancers,“ for the signature piece, and the Festival accepted it, and made their theme, “Entwined in the Virginia Highlands”.

The piece is constructed of aircraft carrier rope made of Kevlar, and it is heavily coated with resin. Lyle says that she uses rope because it is a “metaphor for what ties people down and for what binds people together.” 

On Thursday, July 23, The Virginia Highlands Festival formally presented “Entwined Dancers” to the Town of Abingdon.  The piece is now a permanent fixture of community art, and it located at Main Street Park, across from the United States Post Office in Abingdon. 

This is the first time that the Festival has turned over ownership of its signature art to another entity; however, because the piece comes to life in a natural setting, and because of its size, it was thought to be a wonderful outdoor piece that would add to the ambience that is Abingdon.  The Festival hopes that this art will inspire those in the community to keep creating and being passionate about art. 

Please note that the people in the photo are:  (From Left to Right:  Priscilla Miller, Festival MAPS Chair; Val Lyle, Signature Artist; Greg Kelly, Abingdon Town Manager; Cathy Lowe, Abingdon Town Council Member; and Ed Morgan, Abingdon Town Mayor).

“Some stories seem to be made out of whole cloth. Others are like the Tennessee quilts on sale in Jonesborough’s many craft shops. They weave together past, present, fact, and fiction in a tight design both dazzling and unforgettable.” - Smithsonian

Jonesborough, TN - Come and view the wonderment and creativity of the winners of the Hoffman Challenge including 40 quilts and 17 dolls at the Historic Jonesborough Visitors Center during the annual QuiltFest on July 16, 17, and 18.

Every other year each of the guilds display their quilts in the historic homes of Jonesborough to raise money for their charitable and educational efforts. The seven guilds will be separately represented in seven beautiful homes. Participating are: Heritage Quilt Guild (Gray), Newcomers (Greeneville), First Frontier Quilt Guild (Kingsport), Old Town Quilters (Jonesborough), Holston Valley Quilters (Bristol), Sycamore Stitchers (Elizabethton), and Blue Ridge Quilt Guild (Johnson City). The tour is from 6 pm to 9 pm on Thursday July 16. Tickets are available at Tennessee Quilts for $10.  Enjoy a Buffet Supper on Friday evening featuring a presentation by Louisa Smith and Show and Tell.

Tennessee Quilts, 114 Boone Street, Jonesborough, continues to be the sole sponsor of this premier annual quilting event. Workshops by nationally renowned instructors will be available for beginners as well as for quilters seeking more advanced techniques and design challenges. Make finished products like a weekender travel bag or a floral centerpiece, learn how to hand and machine quilt, and more! For more information on QuiltFest call 423.753.6644, toll free 877.385.0934, or visit tennesseequilts.com. Check out other activities in Jonesborough during QuiltFest at historicjonesborough.com.

The Hoffman Challenge fabric contains jewel tone colors, peacocks, and must be used in all entries. “As I unpack the dolls for the traveling exhibit, I am amazed at how the challenge fabric is used in ways that I could have never imagined!”, Melissa Cloyd, Marketing and Advertising Manager for Department of Tourism in Jonesborough, says, “there are more than exceptional recreations of a quilt with a bald eagle and over 20 gorgeous dolls with the challenge fabric incorporated. Anyone with an appreciation for dolls or quilts cannot miss this showing.”

Started in 1988, the Hoffman Challenge has grown to be a premiere traveling quilt, clothing, and doll collection. The Challenge began with 94 enthusiastic quilters, and some years the number of entries has grown to more than 700. In addition to the three quilt categories (pieced, appliqué and mixed technique); new categories include clothing (wearable art), accessories, and dolls. While the majority of the entries come from the United States a wide variety of international entries are received. Each year, the top entries are grouped into traveling collections and visit quilt and fiber shows, seminars, quilt shops and quilt- and doll-makers guilds. Currently, twelve collections travel coast-to-coast within the USA and to several Canadian locations. 

Selecting the fabrics for the annual Hoffman Challenge is a challenge in itself! The fabric must be newly designed, never seen, and specifically released for the challenge. A review must be made of the fabrics used in past challenges, and an attempt to choose a totally new style and look. Consideration of how the fabric will look when it’s cut and incorporated with other fabrics in clothing, quilts, dolls and accessories is made. When the preliminary designs looks right on paper, sample “strike offs” are made to see how the design looks on actual fabric.  If these are as beautiful as we expect, the fabric is announced to all.  When the entries begin to arrive, it is amazing how the challenge items use the fabrics in wonderfully imaginative ways!
The selected fabric is then released with applications to shops around the world.

In addition to the Hoffman Challenge, several quilts will be on display at homes throughout Jonesborough. Each of the quilt guilds will be displaying their quilts in a home.  Proceeds will go to the guilds for their charitable and educational efforts.  Tickets are $10 and are available at Tennessee Quilts.  The tour is from 6 to 9 p.m. on Thursday, July 16. Following is a list of the homes:

Nancy Kavanaugh
112 E. College St.
Quilt Display by:
Heritage Quilt Guild (Gray)

Nansee & Bob Williams-Scott
215 E. Main St.
Quilt Display by:
Newcomers (Greeneville)

Rebecca Moss
204 E. Main St.
Quilt Display by:
First Frontier Quilt Guild (Kingsport)

Nancy Hedberg
314 W. Main St.
Quilt Display by:
Old Town Quilters (Jonesborough)

Jimmy Rhein
408 W. Main St.
Quilt Display by:
Holston Valley Quilters (Bristol)

Gerald & Sue Henley
127 E. Main St.
Quilt Display by:
Sycamore Stitchers (Elizabethton)

Joe & Kaye Florence
122 E. Woodrow Ave.
Quilt Display by:
Blue Ridge Quilt Guild (Johnson City)

Click here to download a complete brochure

Mark your calendars for an evening full of stars both in the sky and on stage at Steele Creek Park as the summer concert series continues on Friday, July 10.  The evening concert begins at 7 p.m. with local favorite Ol’ Dogs New Tricks followed by Jonathan Singleton and The Grove at 8 p.m.  Singleton’s first single “Livin’ In Paradise” was one of the most added songs its first week in radio. The artist is also known in songwriters’ circles penning such hits as Billy Currington’s “Don’t” and Gary Allan’s “Watching Airplanes”. Singleton’s tour kicked off in March with dates in Austin, New York City, Dallas and Chicago.

There is not a charge for the concert and there is never a charge to enter Steele Creek Park.  Free slices of watermelon will be served to the first 250 concert attendees.  Concessions will be available on site.

Bring a blanket, a lawn chair or sit in one of our pavilion seats and enjoy an evening under the stars.  Make a day of it, bring the children and ride the train or try out your luck in catching the big one in Steele Creek lake or just spend the afternoon watching as the children enjoy the new playground equipment in the park.  It’s fun for the whole family and it’s free.

The Virginia Highlands Festival celebrates its 61st year in 2009, and its organizers say it will be bigger and better than ever.

The festival began in 1948.  Today it holds many special honors like one of the Top 100 Tourist Events in North America and one of the Top 20 in the Southeast.

Everyone can find something to tickle their fancy at the festival:  entertainment, antiques, arts and crafts, lectures, performing arts, and the list goes on and on.

The Virginia Highlands Festival is held in Abingdon, Virginia and kicks off July 25.  It continues through August 9.

For festival information: 
http://www.vahighlandsfestival.org/

Maggie Valley, NC -  Maggie Valley, NC,  is hosting family Fourth of July festivities this weekend.  Situated 34 miles west of Asheville and only 14 miles east of Cherokee, Maggie Valley is also home of the family destination Wild-West theme park, Ghost Town in the Sky.

Salute To The Troops

Ghost Town in the Sky is offering all active and retired military personnel and their families a $5 discount on daily admission tickets starting this Friday, July 3rd, through Sunday, July 5th.  A military I.D. is required to receive the discount when purchasing tickets at the box office.

Ghost Town is also offering all guests a 10% discount on dinner at the new Buck Mountain Saloon.
Although Ghost Town closes daily at 6pm, starting this weekend on Friday and Saturday nights, the Buck Mountain Saloon (formerly called the Heritage Emporium) will remain open until 9pm.  Ghost Town guests can wind down and enjoy dinner, live music and cold beverages.

Red White and BOOM!

The Maggie Valley Festival Grounds, less than a mile from Ghost Town, is hosting their annual RED, WHITE AND BOOM! Fourth of July Celebration on Saturday starting at 4pm.  The event and parking is free and features kid’s inflatables, crafts, food vendors and live music from the Hominy Valley Boys and the Hoss Howard Gang.  The evening ends with fireworks.  Call (828) 926-1686 for more information.

The Cliffhanger One-Of-A-Kind Roller Coaster Now Open!

Just in time for the holiday weekend, the world’s only roller coaster that is literally located on the side of a mountain, the Cliffhanger, is now open at Ghost Town.

“There’s no other coaster like it in the world. It’s the only coaster that starts downhill and located literally on the side of Buck Mountain with top speeds of 56 miles per hour!“ exclaims Steve Shiver, President and CEO of Ghost Town.

Because many people who visited the park in the sixties, seventies, eighties and nineties now have children and grandchildren of their own, Ghost Town has a multi-generational appeal. People who visited the park as a child in the past want to relive childhood memories.  Young children today like Ghost Town for the cowboys and rides.  People who’ve never visited before enjoy the entertainment, rides and views.  With the opening of the Cliffhanger, Ghost Town will now be more appealing to teenagers and thrill-seekers.

Maggie Valley is More Than Just a Day Trip

Because of its location, majestic views, rich history and mile-high theme park featuring rides for all ages and variety of entertainment, visiting Maggie Valley can be enjoyed as a multi-day event by tying a trip into a plethora of other activities that Western North Carolina has to offer.  “It can be easy to take for granted all the beauty, history, culture and activities that we have right in our backyard when you live here.  We want WNC residents to get re-acquainted with all we have to offer collectively,“
Shiver explains.
Ghost Town guests can also easily enjoy the Blue Ridge Parkway since milepost 255 is only 4 miles away.  The Great Smoky Mountains Railroad in Bryson City is 26 miles from Ghost Town, historical Cherokee is only 14 miles from Ghost Town, and Asheville is only 34 miles.  Other Maggie Valley attractions include, Carolina Nights Dinner Theatre, Eaglenest Entertainment, Maggie Valley Carpet Golf, Maggie Valley Stompin’ Ground and Wheels Through Time Motorcycle Museum. There is also a variety of festivals and events at Maggie Valley’s Festival Grounds throughout the summer, which is less than a mile from Ghost Town.
Maggie Valley and nearby Waynesville also offers antique shopping, unique gift shops, lots of local restaurants and quant inns and cabin rentals.

Ghost town in the Sky offers daily top-notch family entertainment, spectacular views of the Great Smoky Mountains and valley below, a variety of food and shopping, and the day starts at Ghost Town by taking a ride on one of North Carolina’s longest and steepest chairlifts that takes riders to the first level of the theme park.

Daily admission tickets and season passes are now available online at http://www.ghosttowninthesky.com.

CRUISE IN: Main St., July 3, Blue Mother Tupelo, 5:30 p.m. Vintage cars on display 5:30-9 p.m. Inflatable’s for the children, free event. July 4, Headliner Joe Diffy with several performers, parade and fireworks. http://www.rogersvillejuly4th.com.

BLOUNTVILLE

PARADE: July 4, 2 p.m. Blountville Ruritan’s Fourth of July parade with prizes awarded to non political floats. Parade will begin on Keystone Drive between 1:15 and 1:45 p.m. and end at the old courthouse, (423) 323-8240 or (423) 323-5392.

PINEY FLATS

OLD FASHIONED INDEPENDENCE DAY: Rocky Mount, July 4, Reading of the Declaration of Independence, 1 p.m. Living history tours, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. plus various activities. $6 adults/
$5 seniors/$4 children age 5 and over. (423) 538-7396, (888) 538-1791 or http://www.rockymountmuseum.com.

PHOTOS: Check out a photo gallery of Blountville’s Fourth of July Parade here

CHILHOWIE
JULY 4TH CELEBRATION: Chilhowie Park, exit 35 off I-81. 8th Annual Car Nuts Car Show. Registration 8 a.m. to 12 noon; awards start 3 p.m. with door prizes. Festivities will conclude with the Travelers Revision Band, 7:30 p.m. (276) 646-3232, (276) 646-3752 or (276) 646-8621.
COEBURN
JULY 4TH SHOW: 409 Front St., Jesse McReynolds and Coaltown, 5 p.m. $10 advance/$12 at door/$5 children. (276) 395-5160.

DAMASCUS
JULY 4TH CELEBRATION: Damascus Town Park, July 3, 5-10 p.m. food by local restaurants; live music with Grassy Ridge, 5:30-7 p.m. and Phantom, 7:30-10 p.m. Fireworks show by Chris Manuel.

GALAX, VA.
HOLIDAY CONCERT: Blue Ridge Parkway, Milepost 213, Blue Ridge Music Center’s outdoor amphitheater, July 4, 7 p.m. old-time/bluegrass stringbands, Whitetop Mountain Band and Kentucky Wild Horse. $5/children under 12 free. (276) 236-5309.

MARION
HOMETOWN INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATION: Marion Senior High School Stadium, July 4,  6-10 p.m., live music and fireworks display. Free admission.

CELEBRATION: July 4, Hungry Mother State Park with kite flying from 10 a.m. to 12 noon at Spillway Dam; Watermelon Seed Spitting Contest at Shelter 1, 1 to 2 p.m. (276) 781-7413 or (176) 781-7400.

RURAL RETREAT
INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATION: Rural Retreat Lake Campground, July 4, 1 p.m. fun, food, activities, entertainment and fireworks. (276) 223-6022.

SALTVILLE
APPALACHIAN JUBILEE: Outdoor stage of the Saltville town square, July 4, country, bluegrass, gospel music by various artists, 2-10 p.m. Free event. Bring lawn chair. Raffle ticket drawing, 8 p.m. (276) 944-5041, (276) 496-7509, (276) 492-9213 or (276) 496-5435.

TANNERSVILLE
CELEBRATION: Tannersville Fire Department and Community Center, July 4, 5 p.m. kids games, food concessions, fun and fireworks. Bring your lawn chair.

TAZEWELL
INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATION: Historic Crab Orchard Museum, July 4, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. watermelon seed spitting, demonstrations, children’s games, revolutionary War re-enactments, live bluegrass music and more. Free event. (276) 988-6755 or info@craborchardmuseum.com.

4TH OF JULY CELEBRATION: 110 Corn Maze Lane, Beck Mountain Corn Maze, July 4, hayrides, petting zoo, dunking booth, kids carnival games, bouncy house, food, etc. Gates and festivities open 1 p.m. Free fireworks show, 10 p.m. $2 per vehicle parking fee. (423) 543-CORN, (423) 543-1045 or http://www.beckmountaincornmaze.com.

INDEPENDENCE ON THE FRONTIER: 1651 W. Elk Ave., Sycamore Shoals State Historic Area, July 4, Militia inspection and raising the colors, Music by the Watauga Valley Fifes and Drums; kids militia; Bayonet competition; Reading of Declaration of Independence followed by a short celebration, 1 p.m.; Frontier Freedom; July 5, Militia inspection and raising the colors; Frontier worship service; Fort tour; Tomahawk Throw, etc. (423) 543-5808.

FIREWOKS DISPLAY: Boyce Cox Field, July 3, Pepsi will present annual fireworks show following the 7 p.m. game between Bristol White Sox and Johnson City Cardinals.

STAR-SPANGLED WEEKEND: Downtown Bristol, July 4, Independence parade 10 a.m.; lineup starts 8 a.m. on Morrison Boulevard. Entry fee $25. City picnic 11:30 a.m. in Cumberland Square Park, featuring Trey Hensley, 12:30 p.m. Other performers include Bristol Virginia Senior Show Choir, Katie Salyers and Jessica Nixon; 2 p.m. celebration of grand re-opening of the Bristol Train Station; Appalachian Region Antique Automobile Club of America car show in downtown Bristol; There will be historic portrayals, exhibits and history throughout the day. July 5, dedication of the American Revolution Patriots Monument located next to the Veterans Memorial at Cumberland Square Park.

TEA PARTY AND MARCH RALLY: Bristol, Va., Euclid Ave., Food City parking lot by the Gas ‘N Go, July 4, 8-9 a.m. for a sign-waving parade saluting our Taxed Enough Already sentiments; Rally will follow 12 noon in front of the Bristol, Va, courthouse on Cumberland Ave., where information will be shared on imminent issues like government spending, healthcare, cap & trade and state sovereignty. Brian Rieck, (423) 384-4464 or saxmusicgospel@yahoo.com.

FAITH OF OUR FOREFATHERS: Bristol, Tenn., 1100 Windsor Ave. Presbyterian Church, July 5, 11 a.m. special Independence Day storytelling event depicting the faith of our country’s founding fathers. “Special visitors”, including some familiar historical figures, will share quotes, stories, and music from early Revolutionary War days. The cast of characters is portrayed through the combined member effort of Windsor Avenue Presbyterian Church, Meadowview Presbyterian Church, and Marthina Memorial Chapel.

4TH OF JULY CELEBRATION: Coomes Recreation Center, July 4, music by the pool, 2-4 p.m. and 5-7 p.m.; food vendors, inflatables for the kids; concert featuring Parrots of the Caribbean, 8-9:45 p.m.; fireworks, 10 p.m. (276) 623-5279 or http://www.abingdon.com.

PARKS MILL & BBQ: 21405 Parks Mill Road, July 4, 6-9 p.m. free country music featuring Ashton Blaylock. (276) 628-4785.

4TH OF JULY: Cummings Cabin in historic Sinking Springs Cemetery, July 4, annual Patriotic Ceremony begins 10 a.m.; Washington County Courthouse lawn, Declaration of Independence will be read by Dr. Jack Butterworth; courthouse bell will ring to commemorate the original thirteen colonies. Event concludes with ringing of church bells.

This year’s 12th Annual MusicFest ‘N Sugar Grove, July 10-11, is going to be one not to miss.

Headliners will include Doc Watson, Carolina Chocolate Drops, Kruger Brothers, and Steep Canyon Rangers.
Other bands include Lost Ridge Band, Southern Accent, the Andy Owens Band, Amantha Mill, the Forget Me Nots, Lost Faculties, and more.

The festival will be held at the Historic Cove Creek School, just a short drive from Boone. 

A portion of the proceeds go to the Doc and Rosalee Watson Scholarship Fund, but your attendance will also help us maintain and preserve the Historic Cove Creek School while carrying on mountain music heritage.

The festival also offers several musician workshops in guitar, mandolin and bass. Andy Owens will also be hosting a songwriter’s showcase.

This year MusicFest is taking “Green” initiatives by implementing Southern Exposure’s Solar Stage and several green vendors. 

For more information, please visit http://www.covecreek.net or http://www.myspace.com/musicfestnsugargrove. 

Roan Highlands Nursing Center invites everyone to attend the annual Independence Day Celebration held on July 2 from 6 p.m. until 10 p.m. at 146 Buck Creek Road in Roan Mountain, Tenn.

There will be free food, giveaways and door prizes (must be present to win).

Health screening will be offered, including blood glucose tests, blood pressure checks and more. Wings Air Rescue will also attend the event and land at the facility. Children will be allowed to tour the helicopter. The Army National Guard will also have a rock climbing wall at the event.

Music will be provided by Morgan Starnes, the Mountain Rhythm Cloggers, Adam Larkey & Mountain Time and Mountain Rose.

Fireworks begin at dark! This is a free event.

Rocky Mount will be celebrating our nation’s independence the way it was celebrated in the 1700s.  At 1 p.m. on Saturday, the 4th of July, there will be a reading of the Declaration of Independence.  Following the militia will shoot a volley using 18th century style flintlock muskets and rifles. 

Throughout the day visitors will be asked to tie a ribbon on the “Liberty Tree.“

Visitors will receive a complementary copy of the Declaration of Independence.  Living History Tours will be given from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. with the last tour starting at 4 p.m.  Regular Admission prices apply: $6 for adults, $5 for seniors, and $4 for children aged 5 and over.  All Rocky Mount Historical Association discounts apply.

Starting in 1777, one year after the Declaration of Independence was signed, Americans started celebrating the Fourth of July.  Parades, fireworks, firing of guns, ringing of bells, decorating with patriotic colors, food and toasts were all parts of the first celebrations.  Before and during the American Revolution, the Sons of Liberty met under an elm tree in Boston, which they called the Liberty Tree.  They protested British Policy, hung banners and lanterns, and assembled to express their views.  News spread of the Boston Liberty Tree throughout the colonies and many towns established their own Sons of Liberty and Liberty trees.  During the British occupation of Boston, British soldiers cut down the Liberty Tree and used it as firewood, knowing it to be a symbol for the patriots.  The Liberty Tree was included on many of the first American flags used during the Revolution.  Rocky Mount will honor the Liberty Trees and the Sons of Liberty by inviting visitors to tie a ribbon to Rocky Mount’s designated Liberty Tree.

About Rocky Mount Museum in Piney Flats
Rocky Mount Museum is a “living history” museum, which uses first-person interpretation to portray people living in 1791. Rocky Mount is open for tours Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m.  Living History tours and the facility are available by reservation at any time, including Sundays and Mondays for school and other groups, with advance reservations. For more information, call (423) 538-7396 or visit http://www.rockymountmuseum.com.     

Independence on the Frontier is presented at Sycamore Shoals State Historic Area in Johnson City, Tenn. July 4-5.

Join the North Carolina Militia at Fort Watauga and celebrate the beginning of our nation’s independence.

The arrival of the Declaration of Independence at last year’s event

Schedule of Events

S A T U R D A Y,  J U L Y 4th

10:00 – Militia Inspection and raising the colours, Music by the Watuaga Valley Fifes and Drums.
11:00 – Kids Militia: Attention! Boys and girls needed to come to the fort and join the Fort Watauga Militia!  Learn how to be a soldier, then reenact the Battle of King’s Mountain!
12:30 – Bayonet Competition: Militiamen test their skill and aim with this 18th century weapon.
1:00 – Arrival of the Declaration of Independence by courier and public reading, followed by a short celebration.
2:30 - Kids Rubber-band Rifle shoot: Are you a Master Marksman?  Come to the fort and show your skills in this frontier style rubber-band rifle shoot!  Prizes given for the top three places for girls and boys.
3:00 – Frontier Freedom: Watauga settlement leader, John Carter talks about Independence and Freedom on the Colonial frontier!
4:30 – Camps closed to the public.

S U N D A Y,  J U L Y 5th

10:00 – Militia Inspection and raising the colours
11:00 – Frontier Worship Service
1:00 – Fort Tour: Join Jason at the Fort for a tour and discover the rich history of Sycamore Shoals and its role in the formation of our community and country.
2:30 – Tomahawk Throw: Come to the fort and visit with Jason to experience a favorite pastime of the frontiersmen during the Revolution. Both kids and parents will enjoy this program!

For more information please contact Sycamore Shoals State Historic Area at 423-543-5808
The park is located at 1651 W. Elk Avenue, Elizabethton, Tennessee 37643

Boone, NC— Appalachian State University announces the 25th Anniversary season of its premier summer arts attraction, An Appalachian Summer Festival.  The 2009 season is scheduled from June 27 – July 25, and features several of the festival’s most popular artists from the past, including Pilobolus Dance Theater and the Celtic sensation Leahy, as well as artists new to the festival, such as Joan Baez, Melissa Manchester and Kenny Loggins.  Tickets are on sale now, and may be purchased by calling 800-841-ARTS(2787), 828-262-4046 or clicking http://www.appsummer.org.

An Appalachian Summer Festival began as a small, chamber music series that was brought to the university by Arnold and Muriel Rosen, Florida residents with a summer home in the High Country.  A partnership soon developed, and Appalachian State University joined with the Rosens and other generous individual and corporate supporters to transform the vision of a major summer arts festival into a reality.  To the chamber music series was added symphony performances, later ballet and contemporary dance, theatre, visual arts— both two and three-dimensional— and finally, a film series.  True to a university-based arts festival, educational opportunities, including lectures and opportunities to meet artists, artistic directors, competition jurors and other experts have always been an important component of festival programming.

Chancellor Kenneth E. Peacock and his wife Rosanne, have been involved with the festival since its inception.  Rosanne Peacock was one of the very first of the festival’s volunteer ushers, a group that has now grown into a corps of over 100 volunteers who are the faces of the festival, greeting and directing more than 26,000 festival attendees each season.  Chancellor Peacock is among a distinguished group of Appalachian State University chancellors who have developed and sustained the festival, creating a summer attraction that rivals the artistic menus offered in major metropolitan areas.

Says Peacock, “Since 1984, An Appalachian Summer Festival has embraced a mission of enhancing the cultural life of North Carolina’s High Country— by bringing the world’s most accomplished and respected artists to our university while also supporting emerging artists, commissioning new works and offering educational opportunities that are accessible to all.  I invite you to join us as we celebrate the accomplishments of the past 25 years, and begin celebrating another 25 years of exceptional artistry.”

The 2009 season opens on Saturday, June 27 with a tried and true festival favorite, Leahy, a family of eight extraordinarily talented instrumentalists, singers, and dancers who bring a rare level of energy, originality and musicianship to the stage.  Leahy was last at An Appalachian Summer Festival in 2005, receiving a standing ovation and roaring applause.  The finale concert, held in the Holmes Convocation Center on Saturday, July 25, features Kenny Loggins.  In 1984, Loggins’ title track for the Footloose motion picture soundtrack spent three weeks at #1 on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart.  His expansive body of work also includes Loggins & Messina classics like Danny’s Song, signature solo tracks including Celebrate Me Home and the GRAMMY-winning This Is It.”  This is Loggins’ first appearance at An Appalachian Summer Festival.

Between June 27 and July 25, the festival will host a full slate of the finest artistic talent, including the Eastern Festival Orchestra with Sarah Chang, violin (July 12) and Horatio Gutierrez, piano (July 19); Joan Baez (July 23); the Halpert Biennial, a national juried competition and exhibition; Pilobolus Dance Theater (July 7); Melissa Manchester (July 2); Buckwhweat Zydeco (July 11); Paula Poundstone (July 17); the Broyhill Chamber Ensemble Concert Series (June 28, July 1, 6, 15 and 20); Triad Stage’s production of Oleanna (July 21 and 22); Mike Cross (July 18); the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra Pops (June 30); the 23rd Annual Rosen Outdoor Sculpture Competition & Exhibition; Paul Taylor Dance (July 14) “Dinner and a Show at Westglow” featuring Sophie B. Hawkins (July 5); films, lectures, workshops and several special events, including a history party, Family Day at the Turchin Center and a spectacular silent auction.

An Appalachian Summer Festival’s success is due in large part to generous support from loyal private donors, as well as a dedicated group of corporate and media sponsors, many of whom have supported the festival for over a decade.  Festival sponsors include: Blue Ridge Electric Membership Corporation, Westglow Resort and Spa, SkyBest Communications, Inc., McDonald’s of Boone, Mast General Store, Best Western – Blue Ridge Plaza, Allen Wealth Management, Footsloggers Outdoor & Travel Outfitters, Peabody’s Wine & Beer Merchants, Chetola Resort, the Broyhill Inn and Conference Center, WBTV, WCYB, Charter Media, the Mountain Times, All About Women magazine, the Winston-Salem Journal, the High Country Press, Mac 100.7FM, Mix 102.3FM, WHKY AM 1290 Talk Radio and WHKY-TVDT, Mountain Television Network, WDAV 89.9FM, WFDD 88.5FM, WETS 89.5FM, WNCW 88.7FM,WASU 90.5FM and WNC magazine.

Tickets to An Appalachian Summer Festival performances range from $5 - $30.  Most visual arts and educational events are free of charge. The festival offers two flexible ticket passes:  the “Pick 5” offers a 15% discount off of ticket purchases in multiples of five; the “Festival Pass” offers a 25% discount and priority seating for those who purchase a ticket to each performance.  For tickets and information, call 800-841-ARTS(2787) or 828-262-4046 (M-F, 10am-5pm) or visit http://www.appsummer.org.

Pepsi Independence Day Celebration at Freedom Hall Civic Center

Following is the schedule for the evening:

3:00 pm - Food Service begins
3:00-3:45 pm - Entertainment- Johnson City’s Dance Company
4:00-4:45 pm - Jessica Nixon (Miss Johnson City)
5:00-5:45 pm - Brinley Addington
6:00-6:45 pm - Greenbriar Bluegrass Band with Jimbo Whaley
7:00-7:45 pm - Brinley Addington
8:00 pm - Armed Forces Color Guard
8:05 pm - Military Flyover (Depends on military personnel availability)
8:00-8:10 pm - Tribute by Jessica Nixon
8:10-9:15 pm - Greenbriar Bluegrass Band with Jimbo Whaley
9:15-9:40 pm - Drawings on stage for Bristol Race Tickets and Food City Gift Certificates
9:40-9:50 pm - Special tribute to all Armed Forces on stage
9:50-9:55 pm - Welcome by Mayor Jane Myron and WXBQ musical introduction to fireworks
9:55-10:15 pm - Fireworks by Pyro Shows of LaFollette, TN, WJHL-TV 11 Live Remote and WXBQ-FM 96.9 Live Broadcast
10:20-11:00 pm - Brinley Addington

5:00-7:00 pm - On-Site Registration for the Great Smoky Mountains Super Pack Vacation Getaway
5:00-7:00 pm - WXBQ-FM on-site registration for chance to win one of the Pepsi, Freedom Hall, Food City, WJHL, WXBQ, Johnson City Press and Dixie Stampede Giveaway - (3) $3500 Food City Grocery Gift Cards and Bristol Race tickets from Bristol Motor Speedway

6:00-8:15 pm - Free Park & Ride shuttle bus pickup from ETSU and Winged Deer Park begins
8:15 pm - Park & Ride - Last bus shuttle departs from ETSU and Winged Deer Park
10:20 pm - Free Park & Ride service to ETSU and Winged Deer Park resumes

Event times: 4 Jul 2009 (Sat)
9:55 PM
Additional Information: - Alcoholic beverages prohibited
- Charcoal grills or any other incendiary devices prohibited
- Service animals allowed on transit buses - no household pets
- Lawn chairs and coolers are allowed on transit buses
- Handicap parking passes are available at Freedom Hall through July 3rd or call 423-461-4884
- Lift equipped buses will be available at ETSU and Winged Deer Park to bring patrons to the event
- Handicap restrooms will be available on site for the event

Sponsored by: Pepsi Bottling Group
Freedom Hall / City of Johnson City
Food City
WJHL-TV 11
WXBQ-FM
Johnson City Press
Dixie Stampede

A world-class line-up of bluegrass and Americana bands and musicians are scheduled to appear on stage at the Third Annual Song of the Mountains Festival-Smyth County Celebration at the beautiful Davis Valley Winery’s amphitheatre in Groseclose, Virginia June 25th through 27th. The Davis Valley Winery is just off exit 54 of Interstate 81 near Marion, Virginia.

“It is hard to say who is “headlining” the event,” states Tim White the executive coordinator of Song of the Mountains, “Practically every band we have booked are headliners!”

The Dan Tyminski Band will appear on Thursday the opening day of the festival. Dan is the voice of George Clooney in the movie “Oh Bother, Where art Thou?” when Clooney sings the song “Man of Constant Sorrow”.  Also appearing on Thursday will be local legend Wayne Henderson, the Farewell Drifters and the Carolina Travelers.

Goose Creek Symphony along with the John Cowan Band and Lou Reid and Carolina will be headlining on Friday, June 26th. All of these bands are high-energy bands who have many faithful followers. Also on Friday the festival will include Michael Reno Harrell with his distinct style of singing and songwriting, and the unique old time and bluegrass music of West Virginia’s Hillbilly Gypsies.

On Saturday, June 27th the festival will help Jesse McReynolds of the world famous Grand Ole Opry celebrate his 80th birthday. Jesse and his late brother Jim McReynolds were originally from nearby Coeburn, Virginia and became members of the Grand Ole Opry in the mid 1960s. Jesse continues to perform on the Opry to this day. “We plan to help Jesse celebrate his 80th birthday with a special tribute to his life and music.” says Tim White. “I’m sure he will enjoy his day with us in Smyth County at the Davis Valley Winery.”

To help celebrate Jesse’s birthday will be the legendary 89-year-old Curly Seckler. Originally from North Carolina, Seckler performed over the years with Charlie Monroe, Flatt & Scruggs, the Bailey Brothers and Jim and Jesse. Longtime friend and fellow band member Willis Spears will accompany Seckler on the show. Spears and Seckler traveled and performed together during the time Curly took over the Nashville Grass from the late Lester Flatt. Curly and Willis will perform their high lonesome tunes and will be backed during the festival by Big Country Bluegrass.

Also on Saturday the festival will include music from another living legend, Paul Williams and his band, the Victory Trio. Paul has written many bluegrass songs which have became standards in the bluegrass world. He performed in the late 1950s and early 1960s with the late Jimmy Martin and the Sunny Mountain Boys. Paul was also a member of the Lonesome Pine Fiddlers in the early 1950s. Paul and his band perform bluegrass gospel music now and are always a crowd favorite.

The Moron Brothers will offer “comedy relief” during the Saturday line-up with their unique style of music and humor. From Kentucky the Moron Brothers have performed all over the southern United States and beyond. They blend “joke telling” with humorous songs many of which they write themselves.

During the weekend there will be free workshops by Bill and Maggie Anderson from nearby Fancy Gap, Virginia. Bill is an authorized Martin Guitar repairman and will offer workshops on guitar maintenance. His wife Maggie will offer free workshops to children on proper “jam etiquette” when performing and learning to play music. Bill and Maggie will also appear on stage on Saturday. The Appalachian Cultural Music Association (ACMA) is sponsoring Bill and Maggie Anderson’s workshops. Also the ACMA will be sponsoring the “Bluegrass Bus Museum”. For the last two decades the Bluegrass Bus Museum has educated and inspired the future generations of American music. From the deserts of California to the heart of the south, Don Clark has made it his personal mission to spread the joy of American music through his Bluegrass Bus Museum. The bus is a hands on interactive museum that allows children and adults to become immersed in the history of country and bluegrass music.

Leading up to the Song of the Mountains Festival-Smyth County Celebration June 25th thru 27th three towns in Smyth County will offer pre-festival festivities. The town of Chilhowie will have a special Smyth County Jam night on Monday June 22nd, Saltville will have a special concert in town on Tuesday, June 23rd and Marion will follow with a town event on Wednesday, June 24th. Details can be found at http://www.songofthemountains.org.

There will be several huge tents set up on the grounds for shade and shelter and the festival will go on rain or shine!
“Our ticket prices are very affordable!”, says White. “This is a great opportunity for an entire family to take a “day trip” and enjoy the music which was born in our region”. Children under the age of 12 years are admitted free with a paying adult. Many motel and hotel accommodations are available nearby and camping is available on site. No coolers or outside alcohol are permitted. Jammers and parking lots pickers are welcome and urged to attend. Daily passes are available and special rates offered for three day passes. Pets must be kept on a leash.

This event is underwritten in part by Smyth County Virginia, the town of Marion and the town of Rural Retreat. Additional support by the Bank of Marion and Bryant Label Company of Blountville, Tennessee and Alpha Natural Resources.

Tickets are available at all Bank of Marion locations, the Lincoln Theatre in Marion, Virginia, the Davis Valley Winery in Groseclose, Virginia or online at http://www.songofthemountains.org. Tickets will also be available at the gate.

For more information call 276-783-6093 or 276-686-8855. For all details visit http://www.songofthemountains.org.

“Song of the Mountains/The Lincoln Theatre and Smyth County Celebration are non-profit organizations.“ 

GRANDFATHER MOUNTAIN HIGHLAND GAMES JULY 9-12

GRANDFATHER MOUNTAIN, NC – The 54th Annual Grandfather Mountain Highland Games and Gathering of Scottish Clans brings the color of hundreds of tartan plaids and the clamor of half a dozen bagpipe bands to the North Carolina Highlands Thursday through Sunday, July 9-12.

The Grandfather Games are considered America’s grandest Games because of the spectacular mountain setting that is so reminiscent of Scotland. The deep blue peaks of 6,000-foot Grandfather Mountain tower above a grassy green meadow ringed by 167 red, blue, yellow and green striped tents. The color is augmented by thousands of Scots luxuriously costumed in tartan plaids, and the energy is amplified by the sounds of bagpipes and kettle drums echoing across the moor.

The Highland Games begin Thursday afternoon, July 9, with a piping concert, sheep herding exhibition, the running of “The Bear,” and the opening ceremonies. Many people choose to bring a picnic dinner or buy concessions at the Meadows to enjoy during the evening events.

The opening ceremonies begin at dusk with a torchlight ceremony where representatives of each of the 92 clans announce their families’ participation in the gathering. This “raising of the clans” proclaims that they have once again come together to celebrate their heritage.

Prior to the torchlight ceremony, 945 runners will participate in a 5-mile footrace called “The Bear” that climbs 1,568 feet in elevation from the town of Linville to the summit of Grandfather Mountain.

Returning this year on Friday, July 10 is the Grizzly Bike Ride, a challenging route with 7,000 feet of climbing completed over 65 miles. The ride begins at Grandfather Mountain with cyclists traveling throughout Avery County, including a two mile dirt road up the backside of Beech Mountain.

Completing the trifecta of extreme physical challenges is the 42nd running of the Grandfather Mountain Marathon on Saturday, July 11. A special prize will be awarded to athletes who complete all three grueling events.

Friday, Saturday, and Sunday are filled with competition in heavy-weight Scottish athletic events; highland dancing competition; bagpipe band parades; piping, drumming and harp competitions; sheep herding demonstrations by Scottish border collies and concerts featuring a wide variety of Celtic music.

At the center of the activity, the nation’s top Scottish athletes clash in traditional heavyweight events such as “Turning the Caber” and “Tossing the Sheaf.” The first requires an athlete to flip a telephone-pole-sized tree trunk end-over-end and the second challenges athletes to loft a 16-pound sack of hay over a cross bar more than 20 feet above the ground. Other ancient tests of strength awaiting the brawny professionals are highland wrestling, putting the stone, the hammer throw and various weight throws.

On Friday night, the Celtic Jam highlights traditional and contemporary Celtic music at MacRae Meadows and on Saturday night the Celtic Rock Concert serves up encore performances from some of the higher energy bands.

Among performers at the Celtic Jam and Celtic Rock Concert on Friday and Saturday nights, and in the Celtic Groves each day, is a percussion group named Albannach who delivers a heart-pounding tribal rhythm that makes people get up and dance. Other Celtic groups include The Killdares, Mother Grove, Barleyjuice, Coyote Run, Teribus, Clandestine and Scythian.

More traditional Appalachian and Celtic folk musicians appearing at the Games include Alex Beaton, Ed Miller, Jim Malcolm, Colin Grant Adams, Blessed Blend, R.G. Absher & Celtic Connection and George Hamilton IV.

Other evening activities include a concert of Scottish folk music and dance called a Ceilidh (pronounced kay-lee) held both Friday and Saturday nights at Lees-McRae College in Banner Elk; a Friday night Scottish Country Dance Gala at Lees-McRae College; a Saturday night piping concert at the Broyhill Inn in Boone; and a Saturday night concert by Alex Beaton and Friends, also at the Broyhill Inn.

Among the many sights and sounds of Scotland to be found on MacRae Meadows throughout the weekend is the popular bazaar set up adjacent to the parade grounds. Merchants sell Gaelic and tartan gift items while concessionaires sell Scottish meat pies to give visitors a taste of the highlands. There is also a tent set up to help guests trace their Scottish roots and learn more about their heritage.

Adult tickets are $15 Thursday, $20 Friday, $30 Saturday and $15 Sunday and cover all activities in the meadows, which on Friday and Saturday last from early morning to midnight. Tickets are $5 dollars each day for children ages 5-12 with children under five free. Tickets are available at the field on the day of the event.

Parking is available on site at the Games field Thursday and Friday on a first-come, first-serve basis with overflow parking at shuttle lots in Linville, but public parking is not available at the field on Saturday and Sunday. Shuttle service is provided between MacRae Meadows and satellite parking areas in Linville, Newland and Boone. Shuttle fees vary depending on the distance between the lots and MacRae Meadows.

Tickets to the off-mountain evening events vary by event. For more information call 828-733-1333 or visit online at http://www.gmhg.org.

For lodging and other travel information, contact North Carolina High Country Host at 800-438-7500 or http://www.mountainsofnc.com.

The American Legion Post number 3 of Kingsport ,TN is happy to announce the return of the 4th of July Carnival after a one year absence. This year the carnival will have a new midway, location, and live entertainment line up.
The celebration opens Tuesday June 30 at the Kingsport Town Center (formally Fort Henry Mall) and will run through Sunday July 5th.
Along side the rides, food, and games there will be live entertainment. The midway opens Tuesday June 30 at 5 PM special unlimited ride armbands till close. At 7 PM the stars of Southern States Wrestling will be in action with a great line up. Admission for wrestling is free.
Wednesday night is “Fellowship and Fun Night” midway opens at 5 p.m.. All church groups are invited to come out after church service. Once again there will be special unlimited ride armbands and live gospel singing at 8 p.m.
Thursday Night the midway opens at 5 p.m. and its “Stereo Joe Night” come show off your car stereo.At 7 p.m. its live bluegrass music with Short Hill Ramblers.
Friday is Family Night Out. Bring your the entire family for a great night on the midway.
Saturday will be a full day of family fun and excitement. The 4th of July Parade starts at 10 a.m. on center street. The midway opens at 11 a.m. At 1 p.m. the hotrod and antique car shows opens.There will be a water melon eating contest with prizes at 2 PM on the midway. The stars of Southern States Wrestling return at 5 p.m.  with another great line of action and free admission. The midway will be open until last customer is served.
The midway will be provide for the first time by a local carnival The Nicely Family Midway of Kingsport. The midway will feature something for every one from the Kiddie Coaster to the large Himalaya. This is Nicely’s first season and we hope that everyone will come out and support our locally owned business and the veterans of the American Legion. For more info call 423-817-5346.

The Town of Unicoi is popping with summertime fun on the 4th of July!

The 7th annual Freedom Fest celebration is scheduled to begin at 5:30 p.m. on the grounds of the Unicoi Elementary School Field, located at 404 Massachusetts Avenue in Unicoi. The spectacular fireworks display will hit the sky at 9:45 p.m.

This old-time, patriotic community celebration of the 4th grew from a local gathering of citizens in Unicoi Alderman Mark Ramsey’s front yard a number of years ago to the current healthy gathering of folks which fill the grounds of Unicoi Elementary School, all eager to experience the down-home feel of Freedom Fest in the Town of Unicoi.

Leading up to the fireworks show at dusk is an evening of bluegrass & classic country music by The Rhythm Brewers, Adam Larkey & Mountain Time, The Country Classics, and The Two Step Bluegrass & Country Band. The Unicoi Ruritan Club will offer a tasty barbecue supper.  Kids can play on the Unicoi Elementary School playground and visitors can pick just the right spot for their lawn chair or beach blanket on the grass under the stars.

Come on out to the party for a firecracker of a good time!

Take exit 32 off I-26.  At the end of the exit, turn right on Unicoi Drive, then right again on Massachusetts Avenue.  For more information, call Unicoi Town Hall at (423) 743-7162.

Schedule of Events:

5:30 p.m. Opening Ceremonies
• Mayor’s Welcome
• Invocation
• Pledge of Allegiance
• National Anthem – sung by 13-year old Lacy Church

5:45 p.m. Concert Begins
• Adam Larkey and Mountain Time

6:30 p.m.
• Country Classics

7:30 p.m.
• Mountain Man Storyteller “Old Jonah”  (Tentative)

7:45 p.m.
• Two Step Bluegrass and Country Band

8:45 p.m.
• Rhythm Brewers

9:45 p.m.    FIREWORKS DISPLAY BEGINS