You are here: / / / June
kingsport logo

Let Kingsport help you throw your best birthday bash

Ride in circles, walk in nature or splash in water, Kingsport has something fun and exciting for children’s birthday parties that will have them talking about it for months – and looking forward to the next year.

Make a splash by having a birthday party at Kingsport Aquatic Center, the region’s most comprehensive indoor-outdoor aquatic facility.

“With multiple water slides, a splash pad, lazy river, climbing structures and play area with water cannons, there will be something fun for everyone in your group,” said Assistant Aquatic Center Manager Jessie Charlton. “We have three rentable party rooms and a party package to make your next party as fun and easy as possible.”

The Splash-tacular party package includes a room rental for two hours, admission for up to 20 guests and use of indoor and outdoor (if in season) pools and all center amenities for $285. All members receive a 10% discount on rentals. In addition, guests that have a membership will not be counted toward the 20 guests included in the party package admission. During the last two weeks of June only, non-members can also receive 10% off of a Kingsport Aquatic Center party package (Monday through Friday). Simply use the code JUNE2024 when reserving your room rental.

Awarded the Best Birthday Party Venue from the 2023 Times News Reader’s Choice, the Kingsport Carousel is the perfect place to celebrate a birthday. As joyful music fills the air, smiles will abound as the carousel spins, spreading laughter and fun to all aboard.

“As the only traditional carousel in the Tri-Cities, this unique attraction has a rich history with more than 300 local artists and volunteer carvers making the dream of a Kingsport carousel a reality,” said Special Events Program Leader Heather Buckley. “We are so proud that the Kingsport Carousel has become such a special destination for family and friends to make memories together.”

The carousel has a small party rental package that starts at $100 and includes two hours of unlimited rides for up to 20 guests, access to a party room that accommodates 20 people and one 8-foot table with 12 chairs.

Starting at $200, the next rental package includes two hours of unlimited rides for all guests, access to a 50-foot hallway space, the party room, use of on-site tables and chairs and the carousel closing its doors to the public for the private celebration.

For an incredibly special experience for any nature and animal lover, celebrate your child’s birthday at Bays Mountain Park and Planetarium. The park features a picturesque 44-acre lake, hiking trails, Nature Center with a state-of-the-art Planetarium Theater and animal habitats featuring bobcats, wolves, raptors, reptiles and more.

“Bays Mountain has something for everyone to enjoy between several hiking and mountain biking trails, animal habitats and fun programs,” said Assistant Park Manager Tyler Wicks. “We have hosted many birthday celebrations over the years and have a variety of different spaces to rent depending on your group’s size and interests.”

A popular choice for birthday parties is reserving the Discover Theater and attending a planetarium show or nature program. Currently, the Discover Theater is closed, but it will reopen in early August so be sure to mark your calendars. The theater space can be rented for $35 an hour.

In the meantime, consider renting the nearby Farmstead Museum. This large, upstairs space has more than enough room to accommodate any children’s birthday and can be rented for $100 an hour.

With so many great places to have a birthday party in Kingsport, you are sure to find somewhere wonderful to celebrate. All rentals can be conveniently reserved through the CivicRec app. And be sure to submit photos of your birthday party by tagging #ThisIsKingsport!

cultural arts logo

Kingsport unveils 14th annual Sculpture Walk

Kingsport Cultural Arts is excited to announce the 14th annual Sculpture Walk has been installed and is ready for the viewing public to enjoy.

The Sculpture Walk is a program where the city leases sculptures from artists across the country to put on display in the greater downtown area. This year, Kingsport Cultural Arts is bringing six new sculptures to the Model city.

The sculptures can be found at the following locations:

  • A Monument to Laborious Mundanity: 118 Shelby Street.
  • Circadian Rhythm: 133 Broad Street.
  • Eastern Swallowtail: Corner of Commerce Street and E. Market Street.
  • Formal-ly 2.0: Corner of W. Center Street and Shelby Street.
  • Hammerstrike: 214 Broad Street.
  • Iron Circle #6: 231 Cherokee Street.

You can also use the online Sculpture Walk Trail at www.artskingsport.org/trails. Here, you will find out the location of each sculpture, information about the artist and some insights into each creation.

A Monument to Laborious Mundanity – Created by Kevin Vanek. Vanek was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio and was drawn to sculpture as an outlet for his creativity. Vanek received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Bowling Green State University and a Master in Fine Arts degree from East Carolina University. Currently, Vanek is the Foundry Director and Professor of Metal Arts at UNC Greensboro, N.C.

Circadian Rhythm – Created by Michael Waller. Waller is a Kinston, N.C. native and has been a professional sculptor for more than 20 years. He received his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from East Carolina University and currently runs WallerFoushee Studios in Hillsborough, N.C. with his wife Leah.

Eastern Swallowtail – Created by Cricket Forge. Cricket Forge is a sculpture fabrication company located in Durham, N.C., and is comprised of seven artists. The studio is a design/build business that specializes in robust, interactive butterflies made with mild steel plate and rod with hand-forged vines, antennae and leaves.

Formal-ly 2.0 – Created by Joseph Bigley. Bigley is a native of North Carolina and holds a Master of Fine Arts degree from Alfred University and a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Appalachian State University. Currently, Bigley is a full time lecturer of art at ASU and is the founder of the Western North Carolina Sculpture Center and Park in Lenoir, N.C.

Hammerstrike – Created by Jessica Bradsher. Bradsher is a visual artist specializing in metal sculpture and painting, living and working in Greenville, N.C. Bradsher earned her Master of Fine Arts from East Carolina University and currently teaches visual arts and sculpture at John Pall II Catholic High School in Greeneville.

Iron Circle #6 – Created by Carl Billingsley. Billingsley was born in Oklahoma City, O.K. and earned a Master of Fine Arts from the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee in 1985. Billingsley taught sculpture at the School of Art and Design from East Carolina University and his works can be found on permanent display in Norway, Israel, Estonia, Japan, China and Brazil.

The Sculpture Walk was made possible through a grant from the Tennessee Arts Commission. For more information on the Sculpture Walk, please visit https://bit.ly/3KDVGn1 or call 423-392-8414.

KPD e-News Release: Officers Arrest Man For Attempted 2nd Degree Murder

SUBJECT: Officers Arrest Man For Attempted 2nd Degree Murder

DATE:  June 13th, 2024 

CASE #: 24-008966

GENERAL NARRATIVE

On June 12th, 2024, at approximately 6:13 pm, Kingsport Police Officers responded to a stabbing at 805 Lynn Garden Drive (Travel Inn). Arriving officers located Brandon Fields with severe lacerations consistent with a knife injury. Fields was alert and informed officers that he had been in a verbal altercation with Paul McDowell over a female. Fields said that during the argument, McDowell stabbed him in the back with a knife. Fields was transported to a local hospital by Sullivan County EMS and was treated for his injuries.

 

A short time later, Officers located McDowell on Dahila Street and arrested him for attempted 2nd degree murder and evading arrest. McDowell was taken to the Kingsport City Jail where he was booked and processed.

 

This was an isolated incident and there was no threat to the public at large.

SUSPECT INFORMATION

Name: Paul McDowell

Age: 25

Gender/Race Male/White 

Residency: Kingsport, TN 

Charges: Attempted 2nd Degree Murder, Evading Arrest

A picture containing text, person, person, indoor Description automatically generated

VICTIM INFORMATION

Name: Brandon Fields 

Age: 37 

Gender/Race: Male/White 

Residency: Kingsport, TN 

Injuries: Severe lacerations

 

RELEASING OFFICER

Corporal Brandon Johnson

Kingsport Police Department Professional Standards Unit

Office (423) 229-9339, Fax (423) 343-9749 

BrandonJohnson@KingsportTN.gov

 

 

 

kats logo

KATS offers free rides to celebrate “Dump the Pump” Day

The Kingsport Area Transit Service (KATS) will offer free rides on all bus routes on June 20 to celebrate National “Dump the Pump” Day.

“Dump The Pump Day” is meant to encourage people to use public transportation instead of driving. When the economy is tight and gas prices are high, using public transportation is a great alternative, providing people with an excellent way of saving money.

Many Kingsport residents use public transportation every day to visit family members, run errands, and commute to and from school and work.

“Using public transportation is not only a great way to save money on fuel, but it also provides a way to avoid costly vehicle ownership,” said Transit Director Chris Campbell. “Next week is the perfect time to re-think the way you travel on a daily basis.”

Dump the Pump Day first started in June of 2006 and its purpose has been to present public transportation as a convenient travel option that helps people save money.

For more information about KATS’ services, call 423-224-2613 or visit www.kingsporttransit.org.

Media Report

This content has restricted access, please type the password below and get access.


kingsport logo

Consider volunteering to help make a difference in Kingsport

If you’d like to make a difference in your hometown, the City of Kingsport is interested in hearing from you. The city is now looking for volunteers to serve on various boards and commissions to help make Kingsport an even greater place to live, work and raise a family.

Kingsport has nearly two dozen boards and commissions that provide oversight, advice and expertise for a variety of city functions. Boards and commissions in need of new members include:

  • Bays Mountain Park Commission
  • Board of Zoning Appeals
  • Emergency Communications District / E-911 Board
  • Employee Dependent Scholarship Program
  • Historic Zoning Commission
  • Kingsport Higher Education Commission
  • Neighborhood Advisory Commission
  • Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee
  • Public Art Committee
  • Regional Planning Commission
  • Senior Center Advisory Council
  • Tree Advisory Board

Simply visit ServeKingsport (www.servekingsport.com) and answer the short questionnaire. Here you will be asked why you wish to volunteer, your previous volunteering experience and what boards and commissions interest you.

Completing the survey does not guarantee an appointment. However, the city loves hearing from citizens and strives to help them find a board or commission that matches their skills and interests.

“Volunteering may seem like a simple thing to do, but the benefits go well beyond the task at hand,” said Adrienne Batara, Public Information and Communications Director. “Not only do you help your community, but you also learn new skills, make new friends and gain a sense of purpose.”

To take the ServeKingsport survey, visit www.servekingsport.com.

Media Report

This content has restricted access, please type the password below and get access.


library logo

Kingsport’s summer movie series continues this Saturday

The Kingsport Public Library’s summer movie series continues this month, offering families a free Saturday afternoon matinee of high adventure, animated fun and a free bag of popcorn.

The free movies will be shown from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. in the first-floor auditorium of the library on June 15 and July 6, so be sure to mark your calendars.

On June 15, the library will be showing a 2023 animated movie about a young girl who makes a wish upon a star and gets more than she bargained for when a trouble-making star comes down from the sky to join her. The film stars the voice-talents of Ariana DeBose, Chris Pine, Alan Tudyk and Angelique Cabral.

Then, on July 6 the library returns to the world of archaeology with the classic 1981 film about an adventuring professor in a race against Nazis to find the Ark of the Covenant. The film stars Harrison Ford, Karen Allen, Paul Freeman and John Rhys-Davies.

For information about other events, programs and activities at the library, please visit www.kingsportlibrary.org or call 423-229-9489.

Parks and Recreation Logo

Kingsport Parks and Recreation offering Youth Pickleball lessons

The Kingsport Parks and Recreation Department is offering Youth Pickleball lessons this summer for children interested in learning the basics.

Classes will be held every Monday from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. from July 8 through July 29 at the Riverview Pickleball Courts at the V.O. Dobbins, Sr. Complex (301 Louis Street).

During this four-week course, children will learn the rules of pickleball from a certified instructor, including hitting and dinking, while performing drills for speed, footwork and agility. All equipment will be provided.

The registration fee is $60 per person for city residents and $65 per person for non-city residents. The course is open to children ages 8 to 14.

To register, visit https://bit.ly/3Qp2DeZ. 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 “pickleball” in the search bar.

For information about other programs, activities and classes offered by the Kingsport Parks and Recreation Department, visit www.kingsportparksandrecreation.org or call 423-229-9460.

Media Report 06/11/2024

This content has restricted access, please type the password below and get access.


Link to: City of Kingsport
City of Kingsport, Tennessee