Kingsport Parks and Recreation is now accepting registration for the 2021 Fall Adult Softball Leagues.

Leagues offered this year include Church, Coed, Men’s Open and 35+ Open. The registration deadline is Monday, August 16, and the registration fee is $350 per team with a non-city resident fee of $10 per player (with a cap of $50). Teams can register online at www.kingsportparksandrecreation.org or on-site at the Civic Auditorium, located at 1550 Fort Henry Drive, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For more information, please visit www.kingsportparksandrecreation.org, email JasonWilburn@KingsportTN.gov or call 423-229-9459.

Everyone gather around the campfire, and let Bays Mountain Park tell you a tale. This September, visit the Bays Mountain Amphitheater for “Campfire Tales,” a free storytelling event sponsored by Knoxville TVA Credit Union.

Each Friday night of the month, BMP welcomes tellers from Jonesborough Storyteller’s Guild, who belong to one of the oldest continuing groups of storytellers in the nation. You’ll hear two exciting stories each night, with a different lineup of tellers every Friday.

“’Campfire Tales’ is one of the most exciting events in our 50^th Anniversary lineup,” said Bays Mountain Park Manager Rob Cole. “We hope families and folks of all ages will come up to enjoy a great night at the park.”

For more than 50 years, and even well beyond that by those early settlers and families who lived here, Bays Mountain’s history has been filled with storytellers spinning yarns about topics related from mountain living in the olden days or, more recently, tales about animals found throughout our region or even the wonders found in the night skies above us.

Today, as educational interpreters, BMP park naturalists and astronomy staff have developed wonderful storytelling skills to the benefit of thousands of students and visitors who come to the park seeking to grow their knowledge in any of those areas.

“We have a rich tradition of storytelling on Bays Mountain,” Cole said. “So it seems very fitting to have Jonesborough’s Storytellers at the park for some good, ol’ fashioned, creative fun as told by those who do it best.”

“Campfire Tales” begins at 7 p.m. on September 3, 10, 17 and 24. This program is free with park entry, and each night will last about an hour and a half. The first 50 kids will receive swag bags, and Knoxville TVA Credit Union will give out lanterns while supplies last.

The amphitheater is bench seating, and you are welcome to bring stadium chairs for your comfort. Bag/lawn chairs and outside food/drink are not allowed.

The Jonesborough Storyteller’s Guild have told stories live every Tuesday night in Jonesborough for over 25 years. After a year on Zoom, they are now back to live performances. You can find information on their shows on their website at storytellersguild.org or by calling 423-730-8977. Tellers are available for private shows and events.

To learn more about Bays Mountain Park, visit baysmountain.com or call 423-229-9447.

Friends of Allandale (FOA) will present its 7^th season of August concerts beginning August 5 at the Allandale Amphitheater. All shows are free and present a great opportunity for family entertainment.

“After having to cancel our 6^thseason because of the pandemic, Friends (of Allandale) is very excited to bring our series back to the Tri-Cities regional community,” said FOA President Jan Stapleton. “We are also very fortunate that our sponsors stuck with us and provided us with their support.”

All concerts will be on Thursday evenings during August with the first concert featuring Folk Soul Revival. Concerts begin at 7 p.m. and food services open at 6 p.m. This year, the food trucks for each concert include Oppie’s Pizza and Backdraft BBQ, with Bays Mountain Brewing returning as the beer vendor for adults 21 and older.

“We were fortunate to be able to keep three out of four of our entertainers from the canceled 6^th season, including Folk Soul Revival (August 5), Benny Wilson with Ivey Road (August 12), and SPANK – The 80s (August 19),” said FOA Vice President Colette George. “We are also excited to have Beth Snapp and her band (August 26) return after an absence of several years. It should be a very exciting season.”

Eastman Credit Union and Visit Kingsport have been sponsors for all seven seasons and Eastman is sponsoring for their third year. Other major sponsors include: Citizens Bank, Allandale Package Store, Champion Chevrolet, Bank of Tennessee and Blue Ridge Properties. On-site signage is provided by MYCROFT Signs. Parking is free and supervised by Kingsport Police officers.

“If you want to see how a concert comes together, come early and watch as Express AV sets up the sound system and the groups do their sound checks and musical warm-up,” recommended Master of Ceremonies Ken Maness. ”You can see the singers and musicians in a very casual atmosphere, relaxing and enjoying themselves before the concert begins.”

Those attending are encouraged to bring chairs, blankets and a picnic dinner, or take advantage of some great food from vendors on-site. In case of rain, the concert will be held in the Brooks’ Pavilion at the rear of the property.

For more information, please visit http:///augustunderthestars.com.

Kingsport Parks and Recreation is now accepting registration for the 2021 Fall Youth T-ball, Baseball and Softball League.

Children ages 5 to 15 can now register for T-ball, baseball, or softball. The registration deadline is Friday, August 6, and the registration fee is $20 (excluding the price of a jersey and hat). Parents can register their child online at www.kingsportparksandrecreation.org or on-site at the Civic Auditorium, located at 1550 Fort Henry Drive, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Participants must live inside Kingsport city limits, attend Kingsport City Schools and/or own Kingsport city property to be eligible to participate.

For more information, please visit www.kingsportparksandrecreation.org or call 423-229-9460.

School will soon be back in session for the Kingsport area, but the summer season isn’t over just yet. The Kingsport Aquatic Center still has plenty of options for fun and fitness!

The KAC is a year-round facility, so the swimming never has to stop. Beginning on Monday, August 2, here’s how you can enjoy the pools at the KAC:

Indoor Pools incl. HMG Pool, PCF Warm Pool and Indoor Play Pool
Monday – Friday
6 – 11 a.m. – Lap swim, swim team practice; only one lane in Warm Pool starting at 8:30 a.m.
11 a.m. – 7 p.m. – Open swim, some lap lanes available; low diving board and rock wall
available; water slide in Indoor Play Pool available at 4 p.m.
Saturday
8 a.m. – 11 a.m. – Lap swim
11 a.m. – 6 p.m. – Open swim; low diving board, rock wall and water slide available
Sunday
Noon – 6 p.m. – Open swim; low diving board, rock wall and water slide available

Outdoor Lap Pool                     
Monday – Friday
6 – 11 a.m. – Lap swim
11 – 7 p.m. – Open swim, one lane available until 4 p.m.; basketball hoops available at 4 p.m.
Saturday: 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. – Open swim
Sunday: Noon – 6 p.m. – Open swim

Outdoor Water Park
Saturday: 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Sunday: noon – 6 p.m.

The Kingsport Aquatic Center also has a full calendar of water aerobics classes this August, where you can hop into the water with the KAC’s instructors for some aquatic exercise that’s easy on the joints but fun for all. Plus, stay tuned for more details on the KAC’s Rock Wall Challenge on August 21. Do you have the best time to the top?

To learn more about everything the KAC has to offer, visit swimkingsport.com or call 423-343-9758.