Mayor Patrick W. Shull has proclaimed the week of August 4 as National Farmers Market Week in Kingsport!
Kingsport Farmers Market joins markets across the country in celebrating National Farmers Market Week from August 4 to 10. The Kingsport Farmers Market will be celebrating the week with all week long with at our regular markets , Evening at the Market, and Tomato Fest. Come by to try our Farmers Market Scavenger Hunt!
After our regular market on Wednesday, join us for another Evening at the Market on August 8 at 5:30 p.m. Visit with your favorite vendors while Matlock & Company plays a concert—and don’t forget to stop and get your “I Heart Farmers Markets” temporary tattoo! Tag the Kingsport Farmers Market in a picture on Facebook or Instagram for the chance to win a KFM swag bag.
The 15th Annual Homegrown Tomato Fest will take place during our Saturday market on August 10 from 8 to 11 a.m. at the market. This celebration of the juicy, red fruit features tomato contests, free tomato tastings (including many heirloom varieties), free tomato refreshments, tomato-growing advice, tomato recipes, activities for kids and fun for the whole family.
Gather your finest and/or funkiest tomatoes and enter them in the contests for Best Tasting, Biggest, Prettiest, Ugliest, Most Bizarre and/or Best Dressed Tomato. Make an extra batch of your favorite salsa recipe and compete for bragging rights in the Best Salsa Contest. Admission is free and there are no entry fees. Entry forms may be downloaded from the SAPS website, www.saps.us. Entries will be accepted from 8 to 9 a.m. for all contests, winners will be announced after 10 a.m. Homegrown Tomato Fest is sponsored by the Southern Appalachian Plant Society (SAPS).
Kingsport Farmers Market merchandise—shirts, hats, mug and canvas totes—are all on special this week to celebrate, too. Show your love for the market with some merch!
The Kingsport Farmers Market began in 1977 and currently hosts over 110 farmers and crafters selling a wide variety of products. National Farmers Market Week is a celebration of these farmers and the benefits of having local produce and goods available to the Kingsport community.
“Farmers markets play a vital role not just in generating real income for farmers, but in forming a healthy, prosperous food systems,” says Jen Cheek, Executive Director of the Farmers Market Coalition. “By providing the opportunity for farmers to connect directly with consumers, markets serve as education centers. Vendors are teaching customers about agriculture and sharing recipes and new foods with their neighbors. Markets are making people and communities stronger and healthier.”
For more information on Homegrown Tomato Fest, contact Dennis Marshall at 423-288-3675 or dmarshall@chartertn.net. For more information on the Kingsport Farmers Market, or to sign up for our monthly newsletter, please visit kingsportfarmersmarket.org.
Eastman Road Lane Closure
NoticesStarting Sunday, August 25 at 7:00 p.m., Summers-Taylor, Inc. will be doing sidewalk work for the city on Eastman Road near Stone Drive that will result in a lane closure.
Work will be done at night after 7:00 p.m. and is expected to be completed by Tuesday, August 27. Traffic control will be present during this time and motorists are asked to use caution in this area.
If you have any questions, please contact the City of Kingsport Engineering Division at 229-9475. Thanks for your cooperation during this improvement project.
Road Closures – Unashamed Event
NoticesThe Unashamed event will take place on August 24 in downtown Kingsport at 4:00 p.m. at the Kingsport Farmers Market with a walk to follow. Road closures will be in place by 4:00 p.m. and will be lifted at the conclusion of the event.
The following streets will be closed for the walk.
Detours will be in place for the road closures and motorists should expect short delays. Traffic will be worked through the closures by police as needed and when it is safe to do so.
For more information, please call 423-224-2821.
Storm Drain Art Contest Winners
City NewsThe winning storm drain art entries have been chosen! After receiving over a dozen entries, the Stormwater Department has selected five winners.
Meet your winners!
“I would like to thank everyone who entered the contest,” said Amanda McMullen, stormwater quality control technician for Kingsport Public Works. “What I like most about this project is the use of art to educate the public about environmental concerns.”
Each of the winners will receive $100 and paint to bring their art to life. The artists will begin painting the first week of September and finishing as weather and time allow. To follow along with the progress of the storm drain art and to meet the artists, check out and like the Kingsport Public Works Facebook page. The public is encouraged to check out the drains, both in progress and when complete, and snap their own photos of their favorite drain.
Sponsors for this contest are all local businesses and include Bank of Tennessee, Kingsport Imaging, Inc., Now or Never Tattoo Gallery, Bishop & Company and VIPSeen Magazine.
A special thanks to Engage Kingsport for partnering with the city on this contest.
What is Stormwater?
As Kingsport grew, the ground became covered with asphalt, concrete and buildings. Without realizing it, an important part of the water cycle was disturbed. Instead of rain naturally filtering into the ground, it flows over roofs, driveways and streets as stormwater. Stormwater can pick up pollutants and transport them into local waterways via the storm drain system. Pollutants include everyday items like pesticides or fertilizers in our yards, oil in our cars, and even soap. When introduced into the waterway, pollutants have a harmful effect on aquatic life and the health of our rivers.
For more information on storm water in Kingsport, please visit www.kingsporttn.gov.
Jessica Fry
Joel Hammitt
Juanita Mitchell
Lauren Whipple
Lydia Pruett
Fall Swim Lessons at Kingsport Aquatic Center
City NewsThe Kingsport Aquatic Center is our region’s year-round swim facility—and since swimming is year-round at the KAC, so are swim lessons! Fall is a great time to get into the pools and learn. Classes are smaller, which means more one-on-one time for you or your child with the KAC’s American Red Cross-certified swim instructors.
All swim lessons at the Kingsport Aquatic Center are American Red Cross courses. The KAC offers group, private, semi-private and adaptive classes to suit you or your child’s unique needs. Weekday classes include eight sessions, either Monday/Wednesday or Tuesday/Thursday, and Saturday classes are four sessions. Not sure about your skill level? Don’t worry—we’ll conduct a swim test.
Fall swim lessons begin September 9. If you are an Aquatic Center or YMCA member, weekday lessons are $50 for the first child and $45 per additional child; Saturdays are $25 per child and $22.50 per additional child. For non-members member, weekday lessons are $60 for the first child and $55 per additional child, while Saturdays are $30 per child and $27.50 per additional child.
Registration begins in person and online at 8 a.m. on Saturday, August 24. To make online registration easier, please create an account before the day of registration. If an account is created after 5 p.m. on Friday and before 8 a.m. on Monday, you will not receive a password until Monday at 8 a.m. Google Chrome and Firefox are compatible web browsers. YMCA members who plan to register online need to show their YMCA card to the KAC front desk staff in order to update the system to reflect your YMCA membership.
Fall Schedule
For a detailed description of our classes, to set-up an account or register, visit www.swimkingsport.com or call the Aquatic Center at 423-343-9758.
Bays Mountain Road Paving & Park Closure
City News, NoticesRepaving of Bays Mountain Park’s main entry road will begin tomorrow, Thursday, August 15. As part of this project, the park will be closed to the public Monday through Wednesday of next week, August 19-21.
Here’s a detailed timeline:
Thursday & Friday – Pave-Well Paving Co. work crews will begin milling the road and installing the leveling course in preparation for the actual paving. The park will be open to the public per normal operations as traffic control will be present directing traffic during this time to conduct proper passage for visitors and to ensure the safety of the workers.
Monday thru Wednesday (August 19-21) of next week – Paving of the entry road will be underway daily from roughly 6:30 a.m. until sundown. The Park will be closed to the public during this time due to the nature of the work being performed. Although the park will be closed to the public, park staff will be present, including at the gatehouse.
Thursday and Friday (August 22 & 23) of next week – The Park will reopen to the public on a normal operating schedule as crews complete paving. If paving is completed on time and without weather delay, restriping of the entry road may take place during this time and possibly into the following week.
As always, Bays Mountain Park would like to thank our park guests for their amazing support and patience with us as we make these much needed improvements to the park.
For more information on Bays Mountain Park please call 423-229-9447 or visit http://www.baysmountain.com/.
Asphalt Project Happening on Bays Mountain Road From August 15-29
NoticesThe City of Kingsport will begin an asphalt pavement resurfacing project on Bays Mountain Park Road starting on Thursday, August 15. It is expected that the work will be completed by Thursday, August 29. Pave-Well Paving Co. will be the contractor performing this work for the city.
The construction zone will be marked by signs and flaggers will be directing traffic. Drivers are asked to use extreme caution in the area during this time. If you have any questions, please contact Hank Clabaugh with the City of Kingsport Engineering Division at 229-9324. Thanks for your cooperation during this road improvement project.
Kingsport joins civic engagement project
City NewsCurrent Kingsport Mayor Pat Shull and previous Mayor John Clark have joined an effort to increase civic engagement with nonpartisan think tank ThinkTennessee.
According to a release from ThinkTennessee, the state “once led the way on civic engagement,” but today voter turnout in the state is almost always near the bottom of the pack — in 2014 the state came in last in voter turnout and in 2016, Tennessee ranked 49th. Local elections almost always have lower voter turnout than national elections.
From the release:
Aside from Shull, the following cities and mayors are also participating:
Kingsport Farmers Market Celebrates National Farmers Market Week
City NewsMayor Patrick W. Shull has proclaimed the week of August 4 as National Farmers Market Week in Kingsport!
Kingsport Farmers Market joins markets across the country in celebrating National Farmers Market Week from August 4 to 10. The Kingsport Farmers Market will be celebrating the week with all week long with at our regular markets , Evening at the Market, and Tomato Fest. Come by to try our Farmers Market Scavenger Hunt!
After our regular market on Wednesday, join us for another Evening at the Market on August 8 at 5:30 p.m. Visit with your favorite vendors while Matlock & Company plays a concert—and don’t forget to stop and get your “I Heart Farmers Markets” temporary tattoo! Tag the Kingsport Farmers Market in a picture on Facebook or Instagram for the chance to win a KFM swag bag.
The 15th Annual Homegrown Tomato Fest will take place during our Saturday market on August 10 from 8 to 11 a.m. at the market. This celebration of the juicy, red fruit features tomato contests, free tomato tastings (including many heirloom varieties), free tomato refreshments, tomato-growing advice, tomato recipes, activities for kids and fun for the whole family.
Gather your finest and/or funkiest tomatoes and enter them in the contests for Best Tasting, Biggest, Prettiest, Ugliest, Most Bizarre and/or Best Dressed Tomato. Make an extra batch of your favorite salsa recipe and compete for bragging rights in the Best Salsa Contest. Admission is free and there are no entry fees. Entry forms may be downloaded from the SAPS website, www.saps.us. Entries will be accepted from 8 to 9 a.m. for all contests, winners will be announced after 10 a.m. Homegrown Tomato Fest is sponsored by the Southern Appalachian Plant Society (SAPS).
Kingsport Farmers Market merchandise—shirts, hats, mug and canvas totes—are all on special this week to celebrate, too. Show your love for the market with some merch!
The Kingsport Farmers Market began in 1977 and currently hosts over 110 farmers and crafters selling a wide variety of products. National Farmers Market Week is a celebration of these farmers and the benefits of having local produce and goods available to the Kingsport community.
“Farmers markets play a vital role not just in generating real income for farmers, but in forming a healthy, prosperous food systems,” says Jen Cheek, Executive Director of the Farmers Market Coalition. “By providing the opportunity for farmers to connect directly with consumers, markets serve as education centers. Vendors are teaching customers about agriculture and sharing recipes and new foods with their neighbors. Markets are making people and communities stronger and healthier.”
For more information on Homegrown Tomato Fest, contact Dennis Marshall at 423-288-3675 or dmarshall@chartertn.net. For more information on the Kingsport Farmers Market, or to sign up for our monthly newsletter, please visit kingsportfarmersmarket.org.
Notice of Public Meeting and Public Hearing
KMTPO Notices & AnnouncementsNOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN to all citizens of the Kingsport Tennessee-Virginia area and the public at large, there will be a Public Meeting of the Kingsport Metropolitan Transportation Planning Organization (MTPO) Executive Board on Thursday, August 8, 2019 at 1:30 P.M. EDT in the Kingsport City Hall Council Room at 225 West Center Street in Kingsport, Tennessee. Copies of the agenda and supporting documentation can be found in the MTPO office in the Improvement Building, City Hall, and the Kingsport Public Library in addition to the following website: https://www.kingsporttn.gov/city-services/kmtpo. The primary items for this meeting include adoption of the Tennessee FY20-FY21 Unified Planning Work Program, approval of the bi-state planning agreement, adoption of the updated Public Participation Plan, and an amendment to the FY17-21 Transportation Improvement Program. A public hearing will also be held in order to receive comments and questions on these or other items pertaining to the Kingsport Metropolitan Transportation Planning Organization. Disabled citizens wishing to attend and needing special accommodations or anyone seeking further information on the MTPO meeting should contact William A. Albright at (423) 224-2677. For persons with disabilities or limited English proficiency, contact VDOT’s Civil Rights Division at 804-786-2085 or by mail 1401 E Broad St, Richmond, Virginia 23219. In Tennessee you may contact TDOT’s Civil Rights Office at (615) 714-3169. If you have a hearing or speech disability or use a TTD please use the FCC 711 dialing code to access a Telecommunications Relay Service to forward your comment. Kingsport MTPO ensures nondiscrimination and equal employment in all programs and activities in accordance with Title VI and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Si usted necesita la traducción por favor entre en contacto con el MTPO en por el teléfono en 423-224-2677.
Back to School Movie Night at Kingsport Aquatic Center
City NewsDon your super suit and assemble at the Kingsport Aquatic for an amazing Back to School Movie Night!
On August 3, join in on the KAC’s annual tradition where you’ll get to watch a movie right from the pool. Pools will remain open during the movie, and fresh popcorn, candy bars and drinks–all your essential movie treats–will be for sale.
Gates open at 7:30 p.m., and the movie will begin at nightfall around 8:40 p.m. Attendees may bring lawn chairs and blankets to set up to watch. The movie runs for 117 minutes.
Tickets are $3 per non-member and will be available at the KAC outdoor gate. KAC and YMCA members get in free.
Back-to-school hours start Monday, August 5. The indoor hours will remain the same, but the outdoor water park hours will be altered. The KAC’s half price admission will be offered Monday – Friday after 4 p.m.
Back-to-school hours:
For more information about the Kingsport Aquatic Center, visit www.swimkingsport.com or call the Aquatic Center at 423-343-9758.