What do you like to do for fun in the area? (Johnson City: theatre, camping)

[deselle]

I recently moved to Johnson City. I was wondering, what do you like to do for fun in the area? I'm looking to expand my experiences. For example, I recently went to a class on Appalachian Square Dancing and Clogging at ETSU. Didn't know what to expect. I've done Western Square Dancing before and a bit of clogging but not Appalachian style. And it was great! I had a wonderful time.

Got me thinking that maybe there's other fun, new experiences in the area that I might like. So I thought I'd ask all you good folks on the forum, what do you like to do for fun? It can be absolutely anything; an activity, place, festival, etc. If it's something I already know isn't my cup of tea, like base jumping, I won't try it but I will still appreciate you taking the time to answer.

[Serious Conversation]

I'm not into the traditional Appalachian arts/crafts scene at all. I grew up in the area and didn't have that much connection to it, neither do any of my family. With that said, if you enjoy that kind of thing, Bristol offers the birthplace of country music, the Carter fold is fine, etc. I do think there is a lot of "hamming it up" on the traditional Appalachian stuff when most of the population is just like anywhere else nowadays.

Tri-Cities has excellent outdoor opportunities - hiking, boating, fishing, hunting, camping - about anything you would want, most of the year. The dining/shopping/drinking scene is improving, but still nothing like a major city.

[Rangerred]

Obviously outdoor activities are going to be huge: hiking, fishing, camping, rafting, etc. Increasingly biking is becoming quite popular. The Tweetsie trail is fun to ride and there is a large group ride called the Taco Trek every Tuesday night. It's free and starts at the Trek store downtown and is about a 30 minute ride around downtown and through the Tree Streets. There are over 100 participants every week and it has been so successful it's become a model for Trek stores nationwide.

The new Silverball City retro arcade downtown is loads of fun as it Just Jump trampoline park. I'm huge into craft beer so visiting the local breweries is always a good time. ETSU usually always has something going on whether its sports, lectures, plays, or whatever. The Gray Fossil Site and Bright's Zoo are also pretty cool.

[Serious Conversation]

There is also Creation Kingdom zoo in nearby southwest VA.

[Ted Bear]

Let us know when you get to the top of the Bays Mountain Fire tower. Must provide picture as proof!

[deselle]

Thanks for all the suggestions! Ted Bear may be waiting a bit for the picture from the top of Bays Mountain Fire Tower. It looks stunning but heights and I aren't exactly friends.

[rccrain]

Here is a good list of festivals:
Festivals

Appalachian Fair, Gray, TN (August)
Appalachian Festival of Plays and Playwrights, Abingdon, VA (July/August)
Appalachian Trail Days, Damascus, VA (May)
Apple Festival, Erwin, TN (October)
Asheville Cinema Film Festival, Asheville, NC (November)
Asheville Fringe Arts Festival, Asheville, NC (January)
Bakersville Creek Walk Arts Festival, Bakersville, NC (September)
Big Stone Celtic Festival, Big Stone Gap, VA (September)
Blue Plum Festival, Johnson City, TN (June)
Bristol Rhythm and Roots Reunion, Bristol (September)
Covered Bridge Festival, Elizabethton, TN (June)
Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands, Asheville, NC (July and October)
East Tennessee Celtic Festival, Sycamore Shoals State Park, Elizabethton, TN (September)
Festival of the Arts, SWVCC, Richlands, VA (April)
Fun Fest, Kingsport, TN (July)
Grandfather Mountain Highland Games, Linville, NC (July)
Grayson Highlands Fall Festival, Mouth of Wilson, VA (September)
Hungry Mother Arts and Crafts Festival, Marion, VA (July)
Iris Festival, Greeneville, TN (May)
Jonesborough Days, Jonesborough, TN (July)
Mountain Dance and Folk Festival, Asheville, NC (July/August)
Music on the Square, Jonesborough, TN (June-September)
National Storytelling Festival, Jonesborough, TN (October)
Old Butler Days, Mountain City, TN (August)
QuiltFest, Jonesborough, TN (July)
Plumb Alley Day, Abingdon, VA (May)
Radford Highlanders Festival, Radford, VA (October)
Roan Mountain Rhododendron Festival, Roan Mountain, TN (June)
Shady Valley Cranberry Festival, Shady Valley, TN (October)
Shindig on the Green, Asheville, NC (June, July, August)
Sycamore Shoals Native American Culture Festival, Elizabethton, TN (May/June)
Toe River Storytelling Festival, Spruce Pine, NC (July)
Umoja/Unity Festival, Johnson City, TN (August) (423) 439-7863
Virginia Highlands Festival, Abingdon, VA (July/August)
Wooly Worm Festival, Banner Elk, NC (October)

First Friday in JC
Here is the schedule for the FUN* FREE* FIRST FRIDAY of the month series!
Remember: there is ALWAYS a First Friday celebration downtown, these are the dates where we take it to the streets!

April 1: Corazon Latino
May 6: Jazz Jam & Buzz Fest
August 5: Beach Music with Outdoor expo
September 2 & 3: Umoja Festival
October 7: Blues Little Chicago Style
November 4: Country Music Heritage
December 3: Christmas Parade – 12 Days of Christmas
New Year’s Eve, December 31: Hello Downtown 2017

I'm guessing that June is missing because that is Blue Plum weekend and July may conflict with something 4th of July related.

[Pinoke]

If you enjoy dancing, you might check out the Contra Dances in Jonesborough. They meet in the Visitor's Center near the library in Jonesborough. I've only been a couple times, but know a few who go regularly. It's a very active group. If you're interested, check out the Historic Jonesborough Dance Society online for more info.

[DaveinMtAiry]

Originally Posted by Serious Conversation

I'm not into the traditional Appalachian arts/crafts scene at all. I grew up in the area and didn't have that much connection to it, neither do any of my family. With that said, if you enjoy that kind of thing, Bristol offers the birthplace of country music, the Carter fold is fine, etc. I do think there is a lot of "hamming it up" on the traditional Appalachian stuff when most of the population is just like anywhere else nowadays.

Tri-Cities has excellent outdoor opportunities - hiking, boating, fishing, hunting, camping - about anything you would want, most of the year. The dining/shopping/drinking scene is improving, but still nothing like a major city.

We are big campers and found a few along one of the rivers south of JC (can't remember the name). But it appeared too shallow for fishing. Is there camping along larger rivers maybe further away? Camping on a lake where I can fish?

[rccrain]

Jonesborough Soda Fest --- Saturday 6/4/16

There’s a new event coming to Tennessee’s Oldest Town June 4 and it’s guaranteed to spark the interest of both young and old.

Soda Fest is designed to expand your taste buds with exposure to flavorful soda pop while providing a different festival style experience bringing generations together while sampling a variety of different sodas, some you’ve heard of and some that will make your taste buds ask for more.

Jonesborough’s downtown is already Alive after 5 on Saturday evenings with food, outdoor movies and theatre performances, and the Jonesborough Area Merchants & Services Association wanted to make an effort to give the community somewhere to eat, shop and be entertained in their hometown during the summer months.

Soda Fest will take place from 4 to 8 p.m. with soda stop tastings all along Main Street and Jonesborough’s Historic District. Each soda stop will include a soda jerk who will be pouring the samples in 2 oz. cups for festival goers to enjoy. Beginning at 7 p.m. there will be live music and a sock hop. At 8 p.m., Bottle Cap Bingo will take place in front of The Lollipop Shop, followed by the popular Movies on Main featuring a family friendly outdoor movie at 8:45 p.m.

Town of Jonesborough - Jonesborough Soda Fest