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The Kingsport Parks and Recreation Department is hosting its second Cycling on the Glow event this Saturday at the Kingsport Greenbelt.
The free event will take place on November 18 at 4:30 p.m. at the Indian Trail Drive Trailhead. The event is sponsored by Just Ride and Reedy Creek Bicycles.
Participants will need to bring their own helmet and bike and riders are encouraged to decorate their bikes with “fun” lights. A helmet must be worn during the event and your bike must have a front light and rear reflector.
Though the event is free, Kingsport Parks and Recreation officials are asking folks to register to know approximately how many people will be showing up.
To register, visit https://bit.ly/3PXtTkA. You can also click on the CivicRec link in the Connect Kingsport app or go to www.kingsporttn.gov and click on the “CivicRec” link, then search for “cycling on the glow” in the search bar.
For more information about other events and programs offered by Kingsport Parks and Recreation, visit www.kingsportparksandrecreation.org.
Engage Kingsport was awarded a $272,400 grant from the Tennessee Arts Commission to help address the impact the COVID-19 pandemic had on the arts and the arts community in Kingsport.
The grant funds will go to assist several partner organizations in Kingsport for projects and programs they were unable to do during the pandemic. Kingsport also plans to use a portion of the funds on several of its initiatives, including the Sculpture Walk and a new arts festival in 2024.
Engage Kingsport is a non-profit organization that works with Kingsport Cultural Arts to connect, coordinate and engage the public with a creative community. This project is being supported, in whole or in part, by federal award number SLFRP5534 awarded to the State of Tennessee by the U.S. Department of Treasury.
“Receipt of this grant is a huge boost to the ability of Engage Kingsport and Kingsport Cultural Arts to promote and support the arts in our region,” said Jim Begley, President of Engage Kingsport. “We have plans to create a marketing focus on active participation in the arts, provide much needed maintenance to public art and continue to provide unique art experiences throughout the year.”
A reception will be held in the lobby of City Hall (415 Broad Street) at 5 p.m. on November 15 to announce how the grant funds will be dispersed to various arts organizations and arts related initiatives. The event is free and open to the public.
During next week’s reception, Kingsport officials are also planning to make two special announcements regarding the arts.
- The unveiling of the new website, logo and branding materials for Kingsport Cultural Arts.
- The results of a recent economic impact study on the arts by Americans for the Arts.
Founded in 1960, Americans for the Arts is the nation’s leading non-profit organization for advancing the arts and arts education. The organization recently released its latest study – Arts & Economic Prosperity 6, which illustrates the economic and social impact of the nation’s non-profit arts and culture industry.
According to the study, in the Greater Kingsport area, the arts industry generated $30.3 million in economic activity in 2022 – $7.4 million in spending by arts and culture organizations and an additional $22.9 million in event-related expenditures by their audiences.
That economic activity supported 521 jobs, provided $16.3 million in person income to residents and generated $5.4 million in tax revenue to local, state and federal governments.
“The study confirmed what we have known for a long time. The arts are a significant driving force in Kingsport’s economy,” said Kristie Leonard, special events and cultural arts manager for the city.
To view the entire Arts & Economic Prosperity 6 study, visit aep6.americansforthearts.org.
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To curb automobile break-ins at your home, the Kingsport Police Department and the Kingsport Neighborhood Commission wants to remind everyone to perform these four simple acts before going to bed each night.
Be sure to get into your “9 p.m. Routine” by doing the following every night:
- Make sure your driveway is well lit
- Remove all valuables from your vehicles
- Lock your vehicle doors
- Secure your garage doors
By performing these four easy steps, you greatly improve your chances of not being a victim of auto burglary and vehicle theft.
“It only takes a few minutes and could make the difference between keeping your valuables and losing your vehicle,” said Corporal Brandon Johnson with the Kingsport Police Department.
The KPD reported 551 vehicle break-ins during 2022 and 447 within the past year. Nearly every auto burglary and vehicle theft reported to KPD, the vehicle had been left unlocked, often with the key inside and valuables left in plain sight.
If the door is locked, thieves will move on to another vehicle and will only break a window if they can see valuables inside the vehicle.
“These criminals did not use any specialized tools, skills or high-tech gadgetry to access these vehicles. They simply opened unlocked doors,” Johnson added. “Which is why we’re asking everyone to follow their 9 p.m. Routine. It can make a huge difference in making sure you’re not a victim of a crime.”
The City of Kingsport held a ribbon cutting and dedication ceremony for its new pump track Wednesday afternoon at the Brickyard Complex.
The new facility includes a traditional pump track with rollers, berms and transfer opportunities, along with a few standout features like the progressive bike ramps wall-ride and an integrated asphalt jump line for a full bike experience.
The Kingsport Pump Track is designed for open use riding and racing and can accommodate a wide range of rider skill levels, abilities and ages. The pump track was designed by former Swiss World Cup Downhill mountain biker Claudio Calouri and built by Velosolutions USA and American Ramp Company.
“We’re excited to offer this new, outdoor amenity to our cycling community,” said Parks and Recreation Manager Kitty Fraizer. “Pump track riding offers an enjoyable adventure that fosters well-being and fitness by encouraging physical activity while enhancing balance and coordination skills.”
A pump track is a type of course that allows a biker or skater to move along a track without pedaling or putting their feet on the ground. Users pump their knees up and down, following the contours of the track to move forward. Pump tracks are typically safer for bikers and skaters because there’s less pedaling or pounding of feet against the ground.
The $1.3 million project also includes an expansion of the paver plaza, additional seating and parking, a central plaza area, three shade structures and Musco lighting.
For more information about Kingsport’s parks, visit www.kingsportparksandrecreation.org.
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The Kingsport Parks and Recreation Department is partnering with local yoga instructor Monica Case-Harman to offer a special event along the Kingsport Greenbelt later this month.
A Yoga Walk will take place on the greenbelt at 11 a.m. on November 18. Participants will need to wear exercise clothing and meet outside Fleet Feet (1880 N. Eastman Road).
The walk features a 1.8-mile section of the greenbelt, yoga included. Portions of the greenbelt are utilized to teach standing yoga poses while challenging your strength, flexibility and balance.
The cost is $6 per person and the class is limited to 15 people. All yoga levels are welcome.
To register, visit https://bit.ly/3PTwECf. You can also register by clicking on the CivicRec link in the Connect Kingsport app or go to www.kingsporttn.gov and click on “CivicRec,” then search for “yoga walk” in the search bar.
For information about other events, activities and programs offered by Kingsport Parks and Recreation, visit www.kingsportparksandrecreation.org.
The Kingsport Senior Center will be hosting its annual Old-Fashioned Christmas Fair on Nov. 17-18 at the Kingsport Renaissance Center.
Come out and browse through the works of more than 60 crafters from across the region. Baskets, wreaths, jewelry, greeting cards, woodworking crafts, hand-sewn and crocheted items and much more can all be found at the Old-Fashioned Christmas Fair.
Entertainment will be provided by:
- Lightnin’ Charlie from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. on Nov. 17.
- Harpist Martha Painter from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. on Nov. 18.
- Tammy Martin on the Hammer Dulcimer from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. on Nov. 18.
- The violins of the Suzuki School of Music from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Nov. 18.
Refreshments will be on hand from the following food trucks:
- Nacho Average on Nov. 17
- Cornucopia on Nov. 17 & 18
- Tri-Cities Roadhouse on Nov. 17 & 18.
The Old-Fashioned Christmas Fair is sure to get you in the holiday spirit. We hope you’ll join us.
- Free admission
- Friday, November 17 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Saturday, November 18 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- First floor of the Kingsport Renaissance Center (1200 E. Center Street).
“Come out and get your Christmas shopping done early at our Old Fashioned Christmas Fair,” said Michelle Tolbert, branch coordinator for the Kingsport Senior Center. “Not only will you find a wide variety of handmade items to choose from, you’ll also be supporting our local senior artisans and the amazing work they do.”
For more information on The Old-Fashioned Christmas Fair, visit seniors.kingsporttn.gov or call the Kingsport Senior Center at 423-392-8400.
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