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Highlighting Heroes: Randall Gore

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After a 29-year career with the Kingsport Police Department, Captain Randall Gore is on the cusp of retirement and about to begin a new chapter in his life.

A chapter filled with scissors, clippers, combs and a fancy chair.

Following his retirement next month, Gore plans to open Top Notch Cuts Barbershop at 143 E. Jackson Street in downtown Gate City. It’s been an ambition of Gore’s for the past two years.

“Within the last couple of years, I realized I wouldn’t be a policeman forever and I wanted something to do that I could enjoy and be my own boss,” Gore said. “I just couldn’t go home and sit around.”

Gore said he always paid close attention when people would cut his hair and when his barber retired years ago, he started cutting his own hair.

“I saw what my barber did, and I said, ‘I think I could do that.’ (My ambition) just developed from there,” he explained. “People are always going to need haircuts and there’s no barbers in Gate City.”

For the past 15 months, Gore attended the Crown Cutz Academy in Bristol, Va., to earn his barber license, all the while still working full-time as a captain at the Kingsport Police Department. The program involved 1,100 hours of hands-on work, as well as a written and practical skills test.

Gore recently completed both tests and has sent off his application to the State of Virginia, which will then issue him an official barber license – hopefully by the end of January.

“I’m more excited than nervous,” Gore said. “Twenty-nine years is enough for police work. I’m ready to start something new and I’m looking forward to it.”

Gore, 51, has spent his entire 29-year career with the Kingsport Police Department, starting off as a patrolman, then being promoted to corporal, sergeant (accreditation manager), lieutenant (records division) and finally captain about six years ago.

He and his wife Marci have been married for 28 years, and they have one son, Caleb, age 25.

“I’m so excited he can retire at this age and still be “young” enough to get to do something like this,” Marci said. “And I’m proud of all the work he’s done to get here. It was a lot of long days for him.”

Randall Gore
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A Call for Vendors for the G.O.A.T. Festival

Kingsport is pleased to announce a new arts & crafts festival debuting next spring – The Greatest of All Time (G.O.A.T.) Festival: A Celebration of the Arts. The three-day festival will be held April 21-23 at the Kingsport Farmers Market.

The festival is a partnership between the Kingsport Office of Cultural Arts, Engage Kingsport, the Kingsport Art Guild, Create Appalachia and the Inventor Center. Expect to see fine art and craft vendors at the three-day festival, including a gala, demonstrations, public art programs and more.

“We really want to make this the ‘greatest of all time’ festival that is truly a celebration of the art and talent that we find in our area,” said Hannah Powell, program coordinator for the KOCA. “We hope the best talents come out to join us and be a part of this celebration.”

If you would like to participate in this festival, applications are being accepted at https://bit.ly/3XS4fja. There is no cost to apply, and the deadline is January 13, 2023.

All applications will be reviewed by a selection committee and acceptance is by invitation only. If invited, the cost for each 10’ by 10’ booth is $115.

“Create Appalachia is really excited to be part of a festival that will bring the community together and showcase the creativity of regional artists, which is what we’re all about. It’s going to be a wonderful event,” says Katie Hoffman, Director of Create Appalachia.

For more information about the festival contact the Kingsport Office of Cultural Arts at 423-392-8416 or visit arts.kingsporttn.gov.

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Christmas in Kingsport: Awards & Trophies

Christmas in Kingsport wraps up this week with an evening of snow in Glen Bruce Park and a special awards ceremony for the most creative, most outrageous and overall best Christmas trees found in downtown Kingsport.

This is Kingsport partnered with the Downtown Kingsport Association and Visit Kingsport to bring you the best in holiday events throughout the month of December. And what a month it has been.

Folks have enjoyed the Christmas parade and tree lighting, snow and decorated trees in Glen Bruce and Centennial Park and an afternoon of fun and games at the Kingsport Carousel and Kingsport Public Library.

Wrapping up this month-long celebration will be snow once again in Glen Bruce Park from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Dec 21. In addition, awards will be given to the decorators of the Christmas trees in Glen Bruce Park and Centennial Park.

Awards for the most creative, most outrageous, best topper and overall best Christmas tree will be awarded beginning at 6 p.m. on Dec. 21 in Glen Bruce Park. You can cast your vote in these categories by visiting https://bit.ly/3uVi5Ev.

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Christmas holiday changes in Kingsport

The City of Kingsport will not be adjusting garbage or trash/yard waste routes due to the Christmas or New Year’s holiday.

Both the garbage routes and the trash/yard waste routes will run on a normal schedule.

However, there will be changes to the city’s demolition landfill schedule.

The landfill will be closed to the public on Friday, December 23 and Saturday, December 24. The landfill will reopen on Monday, December 26. The landfill will also be closed on Saturday, December 31.

City offices will also be closed the following days during the holiday season – December 23, December 26 and January 2.

During the week of December 26, Kingsport will pick up additional holiday garbage (boxes and bags) placed outside the cart. Garbage must be placed in bags or boxed.

For more information about garbage and trash/yard waste routes, visit www.kingsporttn.gov.

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Road Closures for the Living Nativity event

The collective churches of Church Circle will present their annual Come to Bethlehem:  A Living Nativity event in Downtown Kingsport on December 18 from 6 pm – 8 pm.

Please note the attached route and road closures for the event.  The event is a drive-through event with a pedestrian path offered.

The only vehicle entrance will be East Sullivan Street from the intersection of East Sullivan and Center Streets.

All streets feeding into the event line-up route will be closed. There will be a right hand only turn exiting Church Circle and all vehicles must exit on Clinchfield Street. Parking is available at any of the Church Circle churches for those utilizing the pedestrian path. The path entrance will be on East Sullivan Street.

All road closures and traffic detours will be in place by 4:30 pm and will remain closed through the duration of the event. Directional signage for the event entrance will also be in place. 

For more information regarding the event please contact First Baptist Church at 423-247-4122.

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Christmas in Kingsport: The Polar Express

Saturday is the perfect time to don your pajamas, hop aboard a literary train and enjoy a classic Christmas tale with a cup of hot chocolate.

Christmas in Kingsport – a three-week holiday celebration in downtown Kingsport – continues this week with a special event at the library on Saturday (Dec. 17). Beginning at 2 p.m. in the main auditorium, there will be a reading of the Chris Van Allsburg classic “The Polar Express” children’s book.

After the reading, there will be a showing of a Tom Hanks animated holiday movie, along with free popcorn and a cup of hot chocolate. This event is limited to 130 guests and the library welcomes people to show up in their pajamas.

The library will also be offering Christmas crafts and a special musical gift for kids in Glen Bruce Park. Finally, guests will be able to enjoy snow in the park from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. and then again from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.

This is Kingsport is partnering with the Downtown Kingsport Association and Visit Kingsport to bring you the best in holiday events throughout the month of December. And planning your activities is easy, just visit ThisIsKingsport.com and check out the Christmas in Kingsport page.

For the full list of Christmas events taking place in December, visit www.ChristmasInKingsport.com. You can also sign up for free email and text alerts, so you don’t miss any of the festive fun.

Kingsport awards bid for new pump track

The City of Kingsport has awarded the construction bid of the Kingsport Pump Track to GRC Construction. The Board of Mayor and Aldermen approved the nearly $1.3 million bid during its regular meeting on Dec. 6.

The pump track will be built adjacent to the Scott Adams Memorial Skate Park in the Brickyard Complex. Construction will start in early 2023 and Kingsport expects the facility to open in the third quarter of 2023.

In addition to the asphalt pump truck, GRC will build an addition to the existing paver plaza, a new seat wall and seating for the skate park, a central plaza area, three shade structures, additional parking and outdoor lighting.

According to the American Ramp Company (the company that designed Kingsport’s pump track) – a pump track allows a biker or skater to move along a track without pedaling or putting their feet on the ground.

Users pump their knees up and down, following the contours of the track to move forward. ARC says pump tracks are typically safer for bikers and skaters because there’s less pedaling or pounding of feet against the ground.

“Kingsport’s pump track will be a great compliment to the skate park and expand our recreational offerings, making us a more attractive destination for outdoor activities,” said Kitty Frazier, manager of the city’s parks and recreation department.

For more information about other recreational facilities in Kingsport, visit www.kingsportparksandrecreation.org.

Holiday Tea at Allandale Mansion

Due to the popularity of last year’s event, Allandale Mansion is bringing back and expanding its Holiday Tea event for the 2022 Christmas season.

This year, the event will be held on two days – December 20 and December 21 – from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Tickets are $25 and advance registration is required. The event is recommended for ages 10 and under and guests are encouraged to wear their best holiday outfit.

During the event, guests will enjoy a catered snack from Food City, a glass of fruit “tea,” beautiful Christmas decorations with photo opportunities, time to make an ornament to take home and even a dance in the parlor.

An adult must remain with the child during the event. There is no ticket charge for the accompanying adult, but they will not receive a snack nor do a craft.

To register visit www.kingsporttn.gov and click on the “CivicRec” link. Then enter “Holiday Tea” in the search bar.

For more information about Allandale Mansion visit www.allandalemansion.com

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Christmas in Kingsport: A Carousel Christmas

Christmas in Kingsport continues this week with holiday fun at the Kingsport Carousel, snow returning to Centennial Park and a special showing of a classic Christmas movie at the library.

It’s everything you need to get you and your family into the Christmas spirit.

This is Kingsport is partnering with the Downtown Kingsport Association and Visit Kingsport to bring you the best in holiday events throughout the month of December. And planning your activities is easy, just visit ThisIsKingsport.com and check out the Christmas in Kingsport page.

Events coming up later this week include:

DECEMBER 15

Downtown Walking Tour (6 p.m. to 8 p.m.) – Take a self-guided tour of Downtown Kingsport’s most cheerful holiday spots. Begin at the nativity scene and take your time strolling through downtown while listening to songs from the Lamplight Theatre crew.

DECEMBER 16

Christmas at the Kingsport Carousel – Free rides with Santa from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., reindeer games with Parks and Recreation and snow is coming to the playground beginning at 1 p.m.

Centennial Park – Beginning at 7 p.m., snow is coming back to Centennial Park for another evening of festive photograph opportunities.

DECEMBER 17

Kingsport Public Library – Bring the family to a special Tom Hanks animated holiday movie showing at 2 p.m. (limited to 130 guests). Library staff will also offer crafts for kids in Glen Bruce Park. Finally, enjoy snow in the park from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. and then again from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.

For the full list of Christmas events taking place in December, visit www.ChristmasInKingsport.com. You can also sign up for free email and text alerts, so you don’t miss any of the festive fun.

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A Call for Vendors for the G.O.A.T. Festival

Kingsport is pleased to announce a new arts & crafts festival debuting next spring – The Greatest of All Time (G.O.A.T.) Festival: A Celebration of the Arts. The three-day festival will be held April 21-23 at the Kingsport Farmers Market.

The festival is a partnership between the Kingsport Office of Cultural Arts, Engage Kingsport, the Kingsport Art Guild, Create Appalachia and the Inventor Center. Expect to see fine art and craft vendors at the three-day festival, including a gala, demonstrations, public art programs and more.

“We really want to make this the ‘greatest of all time’ festival that is truly a celebration of the art and talent that we find in our area,” said Hannah Powell, program coordinator for the KOCA. “We hope the best talents come out to join us and be a part of this celebration.”

If you would like to participate in this festival, applications are being accepted at https://bit.ly/3XS4fja. There is no cost to apply, and the deadline is January 13, 2023.

All applications will be reviewed by a selection committee and acceptance is by invitation only. If invited, the cost for each 10’ by 10’ booth is $115.

“Create Appalachia is really excited to be part of a festival that will bring the community together and showcase the creativity of regional artists, which is what we’re all about. It’s going to be a wonderful event,” says Katie Hoffman, Director of Create Appalachia.

For more information about the festival contact the Kingsport Office of Cultural Arts at 423-392-8416 or visit arts.kingsporttn.gov.

Link to: City of Kingsport
City of Kingsport, Tennessee