Allandale Mansion is transforming into a whimsical world of faeries next month with an evening of fairy games, costumes, photos and more.
The event is called “Fairy Tingo” and is being hosted by Faeriefoots and the Cozy Cottage. Fairy Tingo will take place from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on July 11 at Allandale Mansion. The event is for children ages 5 and up and the cost to register is $40 per person.
Fairy Tingo will feature an inside and outside scavenger hunt for faeries and photos in the fairy realm. Costumes and wings are highly encouraged and grants participants entry to a fairy parade for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place prizes.
Afterwards, folks can wind down the visit with the Cozy Cottage’s handcrafted snacks and a variety of teas while playing Bingo with a fairy.
The hosts for Fairy Tingo are Laura Webb and Lindsey Nivens.
Webb, owner and creator of Faeriefoots’ Fauxtoes and Gifts in Johnson City, is an eco-artist with a fairy/cottage core aesthetic. Most of her art has been recycled in some form with purpose to offer endearing and creative solutions to mass disposal.
Nivens, owner of the Cozy Cottage in Elizabethton, offers homemade trinkets and flavorful baked goods from scratch allotting for natural ingredients and dietary customization.
To register, please visit https://bit.ly/405spJL. 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 “fairy tingo” 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.
The City of Kingsport is inviting residents to participate in a virtual community workshop from now until July 12.
Kingsport is currently in the process of crafting a new comprehensive plan and as part of that process, in-person community workshops were held earlier this spring. Now, to ensure all residents have the opportunity to engage with the city, the workshop content has been adapted to an online format, allowing those who were unable to attend in person to contribute their feedback towards the comprehensive planning initiative.
“This plan will illustrate the community’s desired vision for the future, including strategies for housing, transportation, economic development and quality of life,” said City Manager Chris McCartt. “In addition, the plan will help guide public investments in infrastructure and outline actionable items to achieve the community’s goals.”
This virtual workshop will provide the public with an overview of the comprehensive planning process and an opportunity to review preliminary findings of current conditions.
Participants will be asked to share their vision for Kingsport’s future and be guided through a series of activities designed to gather input on various topics including land use, housing, infrastructure, economic development, and quality of life.
“We are updating the comprehensive plan to respond to changing conditions and changing community desires,” McCartt added. “The updated plan will allow the city to respond to current challenges like population growth, infrastructure demands, and take advantage of economic opportunities while preserving the city’s unique character and resources.”
To learn more and share your vision for Kingsport, visit the Kingsport Comprehensive Plan Virtual Community Workshop webpage at https://bit.ly/4lloUar.
Kingsport’s Parks and Recreation Department is offering a special Outdoor Camp next month for children and teenagers who are eager to enjoy the outdoors, embrace nature and learn about the flora and fauna of our region.
Outdoor Camp will take place the week of July 7-10 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Borden Park. Children ages 6 through 12 can register and the cost is $50 per person for city residents and $60 per person for non-city residents.
Come spend the week exploring the outdoors at one of Kingsport’s most popular parks. Campers will learn to identify trees, birds and insects while playing games of disc golf and corn hole.
For information or to register, please visit https://bit.ly/44nooRS. You can also register by clicking on the CivicRec link in the Connect Kingsport app or by going to www.kingsporttn.gov and clicking on the “CivicRec” link, then searching for “camp” in the search bar.
For more information about other events, activities and programs offered by Kingsport Parks and Recreation, please visit www.kingsportparksandrecreation.org.
This content has restricted access, please type the password below and get access.
Bays Mountain Park is excited to announce the unveiling of a new, interactive exhibit in the Nature Center.
The exhibit is titled Discover Our Appalachian Highlands Home and features a large lake diorama with various mammals, reptiles, birds and aquatic life native to our region. The exhibit also includes information panels and interactive sensory stations.
“Our region is a landscape of resilience, balance, and deep ecological connections—where forests, waterways, and wildlife have evolved together in a dynamic and interdependent system,” said Park Manager Megan Krager. “Our new exhibit is designed to bring this story to life, offering visitors an immersive experience that fosters appreciation, understanding, and stewardship of our unique region.”
Park staff began developing the concept and design for the new exhibit about a year ago, with construction starting on the $53,000 project this past March. Exhibits Designer Cassy Rose designed the exhibit and along with Exhibit Supervisor Allen Davis, the two completed the diorama last week.
The diorama features many animals from our region, including black bear, turkey, chipmunk, beaver, blue heron, coyote, raccoon, bobcat, woodpecker and otter. Children can also crawl into the beaver lodge and look at the animals from beneath the water.
New sensory stations have been installed where visitors can feel the difference between six different types of fur, touch various types of replica mammal scat and smell the scents of the beaver, raccoon and white-tailed deer.
“This new exhibit is designed to captivate children and adults alike, making ecological concepts relatable and inspiring,” said Exhibits Designer Cassy Rose. “By including Interactive components—such as touchable models, scent stations, and sound displays—our new exhibit will ensure an inclusive experience for visitors of all abilities.”
For more information about Bays Mountain Park and its programs, events and activities, visit www.baysmountain.com.
This content has restricted access, please type the password below and get access.
The Kingsport Parks and Recreation Department wants you to unleash your inner artist and enjoy an afternoon of decorating the sidewalks of Borden Park.
Join us on June 26 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. for our Chalk the Park event in at the George Bradly Jr., shelter at Borden Park (901 Lamont Street). Sidewalk chalk will be provided (until supplies last).
“We’re encouraging families to come down, unleash their inner artist and decorate the sidewalks with vibrant chalk art,” said Program Administrator Laura Williams. “Whether you’re a pro or just someone who loves to doodle, Chalk the Park promises to be a colorful, creative event for all ages.”
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/4enJgxE. You can also register by clicking on the CivicRec link in the Connect Kingsport app or by going to www.kingsporttn.gov and clicking on the “CivicRec” link, then searching for “chalk” in the search bar.
Kingsport Cultural Arts is exploring many ways to celebrate the Kingsport Carousel’s 10th Birthday this year.
One noteworthy way has been through the creation of a history exhibit showcasing the story behind the development of this iconic downtown attraction.
The Kingsport Carousel History Exhibit is an interactive and education exhibit that will be on display in the second floor main gallery of the Kingsport Renaissance Center (1200 E. Center Street) beginning July 14 and running through August 15.
In addition, a special preview carousel history exhibit is currently on display in the first floor Circle Gallery at Kingsport’s City Hall (415 Broad Street) through July 3.
“Kingsport’s community of painters, carvers and designers came together to create a traditional carousel in our downtown and the iconic attraction still elicits a strong sense of community 10 years later.” said Cultural Arts intern Alyssa Lindsey.
The Kingsport Carousel opened its doors to the first riders in July 2015 and since then more than 500,000 riders of all ages have taken a spin on our carousel. Now the Kingsport Carousel serves as a beacon for residents and visitors alike. It’s often the first place that visitors go and is an anchor in the downtown area.
“The Carousel History Exhibit is a story of how dreams come true, success overcomes adversity and by sharing your talents you can be a part of great things,” said Bonnie Macdonald, retired Coordinator for Kingsport Cultural Arts.
The Kingsport Art Guild will have original paintings for display during the exhibit. Artists from the Plein Air Painting group have held special painting sessions several times this year to paint scenes related to the Kingsport Carousel. The public will be able to view and potentially purchase these original works of art.
The Carousel History exhibit will have interactive sections, as well as activities for younger visitors to contribute.
This content has restricted access, please type the password below and get access.
