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Christmas in Kingsport – now in its fourth year – is returning to downtown Kingsport, promising to ring in the holiday season with all your favorite, festive events for the entire family to enjoy.
Now is the perfect time to double-check your calendar and plan a month of holiday cheer for you and your family. And the best way to do so is by visiting www.christmasinkingsport.com and checking out the Christmas details.
This is Kingsport has partnered with the Downtown Kingsport Association to bring you the best holiday events this year. Here are just a few happening in downtown Kingsport this holiday season.
CHRISTMAS CONNECTION
For nearly half a century, Christmas Connection has hosted the region’s best arts and crafts vendors and celebrated their creations during the holiday season. Next weekend, the two-day event returns to the MeadowView Conference Resort and Convention Center.
The 45th annual Christmas Connection will be held in the main convention hall of MeadowView (1901 Meadowview Parkway) on November 15 from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. and on November 16 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Christmas Connection offers a variety of unique gifts including country crafts, home décor, fine wood and leather crafts, handmade soaps and lotions, jewelry, ornaments, stained glass, wheel-thrown pottery, baked goods, pet accessories and much more.
SANTA’S DEPOT
Santa’s Depot returns to Centennial Park on November 23 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. to kickstart the holiday season in the Model City.
The two-hour event will feature multiple activity and treat stations for kids, free hot chocolate, cookies, letters to Santa, Santa hats, stickers and candy canes. Children will receive an official Santa’s Depot activity passport when they arrive at the event to keep track of each booth they visit. All activities are free for children.
Then, at 3 p.m. the 82nd running of the Santa Train will roll into Kingsport and Santa will hop off to say hello to all the children and collect their letters before heading back up north to begin work for the busy Christmas season. Santa and his elves encourage attendees to share their pictures on social media using #SantasDepotKPT.
CHRISTMAS IN THE PARK
In what has become a popular tradition in downtown Kingsport, Christmas in the Park is returning this year and promises to be as festive and picturesque as ever before. Throughout the month of December, more than 100 Christmas trees – decorated by local businesses, individuals and city departments – will be on display in Glen Bruce Park and Centennial Park.
Decorated trees will go up in both parks the last week of November and will continue to shine through the first of the year. And as in previous years, don’t be surprised if you see some magical snow fall in the parks on the weekend.
So, bring your families and friends to downtown Kingsport this December and take a stroll through our bright and shining Winter Wonderland.
CHRISTMAS PARADE AND TREE LIGHTING
The Christmas season begins in earnest on December 7 with the Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting in downtown Kingsport.
The parade begins at 6 p.m. and will start at the corner of Clinchfield Street and W. Center Street, proceeding down Center to Cherokee Street, then to Sullivan Street through Church Circle and ending at Clay Street.
Expect to see decorated vehicles and floats, marching bands and even a visit from Santa Claus. Immediately after the parade, be sure to gather around Church Circle for the lighting of the Christmas Tree at 7:45 p.m., which will include a candlelight ceremony and carols.
Other Christmas events planned for December:
- Dobyns-Bennett Jazz Band & ‘The Panimals’ will perform in Glen Bruce Park: December 13
- The Grinch & Santa and Lamplight Theater Yuletide Carolers in Glen Bruce Park: December 14
- Live Nativity at Church Circle: December 15
- Christmas at the Kingsport Carousel: December 20
- Washington Elementary Choir & Jefferson Hand Bell Choir in Glen Bruce Park: December 20
- The Polar Express at the Kingsport Farmers Market: December 21
- Holloway School of Dance in Glen Bruce Park: December 21
Magical snow will be falling on December 7 for the Christmas Parade and again in Glen Bruce Park on December 13, 14, 20 and 21. “Christmas in Kingsport” shirts will be available for purchase at Hometown Cottage later this month, so stay tuned for more information about prices and availability.
For the map of all display locations and a full list of Christmas events taking place in December, visit www.christmasinkingsport.com. You can also sign up for our free email and text alerts, so you don’t miss any of the festive fun.
No changes to the garbage or trash routes next week
City offices will be closed on Monday, November 11 for the Veterans Day holiday.
The city will not be adjusting garbage or trash routes during the week of November 11-15. All garbage and trash routes will run as normal next week. However, there will be changes to the city’s demolition landfill schedule.
Kingsport’s demolition landfill will be closed on November 11 and reopen November 12 on its regular schedule.
For more information about Kingsport’s sanitation services, visit www.kingsporttn.gov.
SUBJECT: Wise County, VA Man In Custody Following Crime Spree
DATE: November 6th, 2024
CASE #: Multiple
GENERAL NARRATIVE
On November 5th, 2024, at approximately 4:44 am, Kingsport Police responded to an SUV crashed into the front of Price Less Foods (4320 W. Stone Drive). Arriving officers located a 2014 gray Jeep Grand Cherokee which was driven through the front wall of the store. During their investigation, officers learned the Jeep Grand Cherokee was stolen from the parking lot of the business. While investigating the stolen vehicle and crash, officers were dispatched to a gas line rupture at Scooter’s Coffee (105 Port Drive) which is located directly across from Price Less. It was discovered the Jeep Cherokee in the crash was driven by a white male to the location where he damaged the gas line. Upon rupturing the gas line, the male then proceeded to fire a flare gun toward the leaking gas to catch the building on fire. Kingsport detectives were called to both scenes to investigate.
At approximately 7:27 am, officers were dispatched to the area of Watterson Street in reference to vandalism to a vehicle. Responding officers learned that a white male had broken the windows on a 2003 white Pontiac Grand Am, a 2003 white Buick Le Sabre, and a 2007 red Mercury Montego. Various items were taken from two of the three vehicles. While officers investigated the incident, a white male later identified as, Tristan Sexton, put purple paint on a Kingsport Police Car and wrote obscene messages on the car. Officers obtained a description of Sexton from witnesses, which also matched the description of the male who had burglarized the vehicles on Watterson Street.
At approximately 8:32 am, officers located Sexton near McDonald’s (4300 W. Stone Drive). As officers approached Sexton, he fled on foot. Sexton was apprehended after a foot chase and was detained. Officers observed purple paint on Sexton’s right hand and located property from the auto-burglaries on Watterson Street in his backpack. A marijuana grinder was also located on Sexton’s person.
After reviewing video from Scooter’s and Price Less Food’s, Kingsport detectives determined that Sexton was the same individual who stole the 2014 gray Jeep Grand Cherokee, attempted to set fire to Scooter’s, and drove the stolen Jeep Grand Cherokee into Priceless Foods. Sexton was arrested and booked into the Kingsport City Jail before being taken to the Hawkins County Jail. Sexton was charged with two counts of felony vandalism, attempted arson, motor vehicle theft, misdemeanor vandalism, evading arrest, two counts of auto-burglary, attempted auto burglary, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
This is still an active and ongoing investigation, and other charges are pending.
SUSPECT INFORMATION
Name: Tristan Sexton
Age: 24
Gender/Race: Male/White
Residency: Wise, VA
Charges: Felony vandalism x2, attempted arson, motor vehicle theft, misdemeanor vandalism, evading arrest, auto-burglary x2, attempted auto burglary, drug paraphernalia
RELEASING OFFICER
Corporal Brandon Johnson
Kingsport Police Department Professional Standards Unit
Office (423) 229-9339, Fax (423) 343-9749
BrandonJohnson@KingsportTN.gov
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The Kingsport Parks and Recreation Department is hosting an inclusive talent show and show & tell event later this month at the V.O. Dobbins, Sr. Complex.
The one day event will be held on November 23 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the Douglass Room of V.O. Dobbins (301 Louis Street). The event is free and open to people ages 5 and older.
The evening is promised to be one of talented individuals of all ages, showing off their singing, dancing or musical talents. Participants can also bring a special, personal item to show off and tell a story about.
“We have many people in our A.S.P.I.R.E. program who can dance and sing, play a musical instrument or play sports. This event is aimed at them, to let them show off their amazing talents,” said Program Coordinator Renee Ensor. “It should be an enjoyable evening, filled with some great performances.”
This event is part of the department’s A.S.P.I.R.E. (Adaptive: Sports Programs Inclusive Recreation Experiences) program. Adaptive programs are for people with disabilities or physical limitations and are designed to ensure fair and equal competition among participants.
Though the event is free, parks and recreation staff is asking for participants to register in order to know how many people plan to attend. To register, visit https://bit.ly/48aJIft. 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 “talent show” in the search bar.
For information about other events, activities and programs offered by the Kingsport Parks and Recreation Department, visit www.kingsportparksandrecreation.org.
There will be a Public Meeting of the Kingsport Metropolitan Transportation Planning Organization (MTPO) Executive Board on Thursday, November 14, 2024 at 1:30 pm in the Kingsport City Hall Montgomery-Watterson Boardroom at 415 Broad Street in Kingsport, Tennessee. The agenda and supporting documentation can be found here. The primary items for this meeting include the presentation of the FY24 Federal Funds Obligation Reports, discussion of the upcoming Metropolitan Planning Area update, and discussion of the upcoming Statewide Household Travel Survey. Time is also allotted for the Executive Board to receive public comments on items pertaining to the Kingsport Metropolitan Transportation Planning Organization. The meeting will be in-person and members of the public are welcome to attend. All public meetings are held in accessible locations. For a reasonable accommodation request, or if you require language assistance, please notify the MTPO three business days in advance of the meeting and we will be glad to work with you in obliging any reasonable request.
We also plan to offer live public access to the meeting through a Zoom webinar. Members of the public who are interested in attending remotely should register in advance using this link: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_le7Xdj05S7-H-CG_hfVi9g
Build a seven-member team and participate in this one-day flag football tournament
The country is at the height of the football season with high school, college and professional games being played almost every single day. Though you may not be able to play with your favorite team, you can still hit the gridiron later this month in a special one-day football tournament.
Kingsport Parks and Recreation is hosting a special Turkey Bowl flag football event at J. Fred Johnson Stadium on Saturday, November 23. Kickoff begins at 10 a.m. and games will continue until 6 p.m.
The cost is $150 per team and each team is limited to 18 players. All players must be at least 16 years of age to participate and anyone under the age of 18 must have a parent’s consent to play.
The double-elimination tournament will include 8 teams and games will have two, 20-minute halves. Kingsport Parks and Recreation will hold a blind draw on Facebook Live at 12 p.m. on November 20 to determine the initial matchups.
The winning team will receive one store-bought turkey and T-shirts for all of the players.
“Since we’re in the middle of football season and we’ve not held this type of event in more than a decade, we thought now is the perfect time to bring back flag football,” said Program Leader Garrett Sherer. “So, round up your football buddies, sign up and see if you can claim victory in our first-ever Turkey Bowl.”
To register, visit https://bit.ly/3YyffVo. 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 “turkey bowl” in the search bar.
For information about other programs, activities and classes offered by the Kingsport Parks and Recreation Department, please visit www.kingsportparksandrecreation.org.
The Kingsport Parks and Recreation Department is looking for reliable, impartial and enthusiastic sports fans to serve as scorekeepers and referees for its upcoming youth and adult basketball leagues.
Positions are now available through late March and the pay varies by position. All games will be held in the evening during the week at various city facilities across town.
No experience is necessary, and the positions are open to anyone 16 years or older.
“If you have a love of basketball, are looking for a challenge and want to give back to the community, then consider applying for one of these positions,” said Program Coordinator Nate Williams. “We appreciate the work our referees and scorekeepers do to keep our athletic programs running throughout the year.”
For more information about the positions, please contact Nate Williams at 423-229-9460. For information about other classes, programs and events from Kingsport Parks and Recreation, visit www.kingsportparksandrecreation.org.