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Kingsport Parks and Recreation hosting Toddler Time

The Kingsport Parks and Recreation Department will be offering parents weekly play time for their toddlers beginning in February and continuing through the end of May.

Toddler Time sessions will take place at the V.O. Dobbins, Sr. Complex every Thursday from 10 a.m. to noon from February 5 through May 21. The free play time sessions are for children ages 5 and under.

Children will enjoy self-guided play featuring age-appropriate equipment and games. Caregiver supervision is required as this program is not instructor led.

“These sessions allow children to explore, play with their friends and burn off some energy,” said Program Coordinator Renee Ensor. “Parents can enjoy a safe, welcoming space while the little ones engage in active play and social fun.”

To register, please visit https://bit.ly/45dltwW. 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 “toddler time” in the search bar.

For information about other events, activities and programs offered by Kingsport Parks and Recreation, please visit www.kingsportparksandrecreation.org.

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Paws and Hearts brings the love to our furry friends

UPDATE – This event will be held on February 14 from 11am-1pm due to forecasted weather on Sunday.

Show your dogs some love this Valentine’s Day by bringing them to Kingsport Parks and Recreation’s Paws and Hearts event.

This free holiday-themed event will take place at Kingsport’s Dogwood Park (800 Granby Road) on February 15 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. UPDATE – This event will be held on February 14 from 11am-1pm due to forecasted weather on Sunday.

Dress up your dog in their snazziest attire, connect with fellow dog lovers, and discover more about what Dogwood Park has to offer. Whether you’re a current member or considering joining, everyone is welcome to come out and share in the fun.

Your furry friends are bound to appreciate the love and affection for Valentine’s Day.

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/4qThoX9. 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 “paws and hearts” in the search bar.

For information about other classes, programs and events from Kingsport Parks and Recreation, visit www.kingsportparksandrecreation.org.

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Kingsport Parks and Recreation hosting “glow” volleyball event

Time to serve and spike with one of the more popular glow events hosted by Kingsport Parks and Recreation.

On February 27, Kingsport will host a special one-day glow volleyball event at the V.O. Dobbins, Sr. Complex (301 Louis Street). There will be three divisions of play based on skill level.

  • Division A (8 p.m. to 10 p.m.)
  • Division B (8 p.m. to 10 p.m.)
  • Division BB (6 p.m. to 8 p.m.)

The event is for anyone ages 14 and up and the cost is $100 per team. Each team can have a maximum roster of 12 players, and you may compete with four to six players on the court (though two females must be on the court at all times).

Glow events are when participants wear neon or white clothes, the lights to a gym are turned off and the black lights are turned on. Everyone then “glows” in the dark while running around and playing a game of volleyball.

“Glow volleyball has been one of our most successful events we’ve ever had, so we’re thrilled to bring it back for the community this winter,” said Program Coordinator Renee Ensor. “It’s always just a fun night of volleyball games.”

To register, visit https://bit.ly/4b07UVh. 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 “glow volleyball” in the search bar.

For information about other events, activities and programs offered by the Kingsport Parks and Recreation Department, please visit www.kingsportparksandrecreation.org.

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Registration open for spring youth baseball and softball

Kingsport Parks and Recreation is now accepting registrations for the 2026 Spring Youth Baseball and Softball Leagues.

Registration will take place from January 12 through February 12 for the following leagues – T-Ball (5-6), Coach Pitch Baseball (7-8), Machine Pitch Rookie Baseball (9-10), Junior Baseball (11-12), Coach Pitch Softball (7-9) and Junior Softball (10-12).

Children must be of age as of August 15, 2025. The registration fee is $30 per player (excluding the price of a jersey and hat). Participants must live inside the Kingsport city limits, attend Kingsport City Schools and/or own Kingsport city property to be eligible to participate.

All games will be played at Brickyard Park, Domtar Park and Miracle Park.

You can register at the V.O. Dobbins, Sr. Complex (301 Louis Street) or by going to the following website https://bit.ly/4aNfBhy. 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 “baseball” 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.

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Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Parade 2026

Tennessee/Virginia Fellowship Against Racism and East Tennessee District Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship Presents The 26th Annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Parade

The 26th Annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Parade has been scheduled to Monday, January 19, 2026 from 12:00 – 12:20 p.m.  Parade participants will need to assemble at 11:15 p.m. at the intersection of E. Sullivan Street & Center Street (Parking is available near or around the New City Hall, 415 Broad Street, Kingsport, TN 37660).

The parade route will follow E. Sullivan Street and end at the New Kingsport City Hall, 415 Broad Street.

The theme is “ANSWER TO RACISM IS THE LOVE OF CHRIST” & “LOVE MORE IN 2026; CHOOSE TO LOVE AND NOT TO HATE”.

If you would like, please enter a car, float, church/business van, bus, truck, other exhibits or take a 20 minute walk during lunch in the parade!

Monthly Service Event: January 19th thru April 30th, 2026


Diapers & Wipes $12/Baby (Putting Babies First)
Make your tax-deductible contribution payable to:
Joshua Generation Int’l, Inc. (JGII)
P.O. Box 3390, Kingsport, TN 37664-3390

 

* Following the Parade, MLK Community Unity Luncheon by New Vision Youth

Please Join Us 1:00 p.m. at the Riverview Community Room (Next to the Pickleball Courts on Wheatley Street). Sponsors: Chamber of Commerce, OLE CROW Catering, South Central, AKA Sorority, KHRA, and Dr. Rev. William Ward.

For Luncheon Information, please contact Johnnie Mae Swagerty (New Vision Youth) at (423) 429-7553

For Parade Information, please contact Bishop Ronnie Wayne Collins (JGII) at (423) 956-0675 or email: rcollins.j316@gmail.com 

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Circle Gallery showcases artistic talents of Kingsport employees

Kingsport Cultural Arts is hosting a special art exhibit in the lobby of city hall, showcasing the creativity and artistic talents of our very own city employees.

More than 750 employees work for the City of Kingsport and many of them have the talent and ability to create beautiful works of art in a variety of mediums, including pencil sketches, paintings, mixed media, digital art, fiber art, photography and graphic design.

Beginning this week and continuing through March 30, our employees’ creations will be on display in the Circle Gallery, located in the first floor lobby of Kingsport City Hall (415 Broad Street).

This year, 10 employees participated in the exhibit, putting on display such creative works in the medium of camera and drone photography, acrylic/oil painting, watercolor painting, knitting and metalsmithing.

“We showcased the talents of city employees back in 2024 and the exhibit was a success, so we’ve decided to do it again this spring,” said Cultural Arts Manager Kristie Leonard. “This is just our way to highlight our artistic employees and to share their works with the rest of the Kingsport community.”

For information about other classes, programs and activities offered by Kingsport Cultural Arts, please visit www.artskingsport.org.

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Learn more about your local government with BMA Highlights

Start the new year by taking more of an interest in your local government and the decisions city leaders make every month at the Board of Mayor and Aldermen meetings.

The BMA is the elected governing body of the City of Kingsport and is responsible for approving such things as the annual budget, city ordinances, and major projects.

The seven-member board includes Mayor Paul W. Montgomery, Vice Mayor Darrell Duncan, and Aldermen Morris Baker, Betsy Cooper, Colette George, Gary Mayes and James Phillips.

Kingsport’s Public Information and Communications Department wants to remind residents that the best way to learn more about what the BMA votes on each month is by signing up for the BMA Highlights newsletter.

Simply go to www.kingsporttn.gov and enter your email address at the bottom of the page. Then after each BMA meeting, you’ll receive an email newsletter with a wealth of information, including:

  • The agenda with vote tallies
  • Photographs of major projects currently underway
  • Updates on active projects within the city
  • Copies of presentations given to the BMA
  • The latest sales tax report
  • Special awards, recognitions and proclamations
  • Announcements on upcoming special events and activities.

“The BMA Highlights newsletter is a free resource that makes keeping up with your local government easy,” said Public Information and Communications Director Adrienne Batara. “You receive valuable and accurate city information delivered right to your inbox for reading at your convenience.”

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Nature Center Roof Repairs at Bays Mountain Park

Access to the Nature Center at Bays Mountain Park will be limited or rerouted beginning later this month in order to accommodate necessary roof repair work.

The work is scheduled to begin January 20 and continue through April 10 (weather depending). GRC is the city’s contractor on this project.

During the course of the project, access to the nature center will be limited for the public or rerouted depending on the specific area of the work taking place. In addition, the skylight in the bee exhibit will be removed and replaced with sheeting. When that take places, a section of the ramp will be closed.

Public access to the balcony will also be restricted during construction. Any changes or adjustments to the construction timeline will be announced to the public prior to starting.

For more information about Bays Mountain Park visit www.baysmountain.com.

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Kingsport Parks and Recreation hosting Glow Dodgeball event

The Kingsport Parks and Recreation Department is hosting a Family Fun Night event on January 17 at the Lynn View Community Center (257 Walker Street).

The glow dodgeball event will take place from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. and feature multiple games of glow dodgeball. Cost is $5 per person, and the event is for anyone ages 5 and older. Children ages 5 to 10 will play from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. and participants ages 11 and older will play from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Glow events are when participants wear neon or white clothes, the lights of a gym are turned off and the black lights are turned on. Everyone then “glows” in the dark while playing a game of dodgeball.

To register, visit https://bit.ly/49TSnFY. 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 “glow dodgeball” in the search bar.

For information about other events, activities and programs offered by the Kingsport Parks and Recreation Department, please visit www.kingsportparksandrecreation.org

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Bays Mountain Park takes us on a journey to the Sun

Bays Mountain Park and Planetarium is pleased to announce its latest planetarium show – “The Sun: Our Living Star” – where viewers will discover the amazing secrets of our closest star.

“The Sun: Our Living Star” will debut January 2 and continue showing as the main feature in the Planetarium Theater through April 30. The 40-minute program is being shown Tuesday through Friday at 4 p.m. and on Saturdays and Sundays at 12 p.m. and 4 p.m.

The Sun has shone on our world for four and a half billion years and the light that warms our skin today has been felt by every person who has ever lived. It is our nearest star and our planet’s powerhouse, the source of the energy that drives our winds, our weather and all life.

And don’t be fooled by the terminology. Although our star is a typical dwarf star, the Sun consumes 600 million tons of hydrogen each second and is 500 times as massive as all the planets combined.

“Discover the secrets of our star in this captivating show and experience never-before-seen images of the Sun’s violent surface in immersive full-dome format,” said Planetarium Director Jason Dorfman.

This program will be followed by a brief tour of the current evening sky using our Zeiss ZKP-4 optical star projector.

The alternate planetarium feature showing Saturdays and Sunday at 2 p.m. through February 28 will be “Appalachian Skies.”

“Appalachian Skies” takes visitors on a majestic tour of the current evening sky using the Zeiss optical star projector. This live presentation is enhanced with additional content from our VELVET LED projectors for a wonderful, immersive experience.

Each presentation is guaranteed to be unique, due to the live nature of the program, and the natural progression of the changing night sky throughout the seasons. Learn what fascinating mythological constellations, from Ancient Greece and other cultures, will be easily visible. Find out what planets are easily seen as well. Visitors will take this knowledge home and be able to locate these celestial sights for themselves.

For more information about Bays Mountain Park and its programs, events and activities, visit www.baysmountain.com.

Link to: City of Kingsport
City of Kingsport, Tennessee