Kingsport's Fun Fest July 11-19 - Come join in the fun! (Central: home, elementary school)

[Beretta]

Come join in the fun at Kingsport's Fun Fest! It runs this year from July 11-19th. I was the very first t-shirt vendor back in 1981 and we sold out of t-shirts. We had no idea it would be such a big hit! Look how far this home grown festival has come!

Fun Fest 2008 - July 11-19 - Kingsport,TN

[jjbradleynyc]

Originally Posted by SmokyMtnGal

Come join in the fun at Kingsport's Fun Fest! It runs this year from July 11-19th. I was the very first t-shirt vendor back in 1981 and we sold out of t-shirts. We had no idea it would be such a big hit! Look how far this home grown festival has come!

Fun Fest 2008 - July 11-19 - Kingsport,TN

I have great memories of Fun Fest in the '80s. I love the rubber duck race and the fireworks, parades, and best of all "taste of tri-cities."

[dcommander]

On Tuesday, July 15th at 8:00 pm there will be a screening of the locally produced film, Freedom. This film was written, produced, directed and stars actors from the Barter in Abingdon. It is based on a true story about the Underground Railroad in NE Tennessee. The cost is $3. It's an interesting film and well worth the admission cost.

[dcommander]

Oooops, forgot to say where Freedom will be playing!!!! It will be at the Renaissance Center in Kingsport.

[pamperedrachel]

I went to the fun fest website... It looks like a whole week of different stuff... what are the highlights... I think that's the word I'm looking for... I saw there's a parade and kids activities at Johnson Elementary school... is everything pretty much centered around downtown Kingsport?

[Beretta]

Let the fun begin!!!!

[jkmiller]

FYI: chairs and blankets were set up along Sullivan St. and Church Circle when I was out at 8am. Glad I live walking distance to parade! Mardi Gras started at 11am today and I think the parade is around 6pm. Come join the fun!!

[mbmouse]

I just came down East Center St myself and boy is that place jumping!
Hope to see everyone along the parade route. If you want an inside window seat come see me and the family at 200 E. Center hahahahahha Be sure to bring a chair.

[MooksterL1]

And it's sooooo hot today! Mardi Gras was quite toasty earlier. LOL

Pamperedrachel,
For us the highlights are Kid Central at Johnson Elementary, the Little Eight's race tonight, the Zydeco guy tonight after the parade, the concerts (where can you see a known artist in concert for $9??), Showtime and the geology event at Bays Mountain.

[mbmouse]

Well, I scooted out of downtown before Marti Gras (have to work ya know hahahha) but was able to get out of the office early enough to go pick up one son and his girl friend and we made it to the parade and did some walking around by the kid activities. Everyone seemed to be having a great time. Some of the vendors were handing out beads and we got some there. The the parade started and a lot of the floats were throwing out candy, pencils, cup holders and more beads. All three of us left with a neck full of Marti Gras beads hahahahahah. The parade lasted about two hours, the batteries in my camera lasted about 15 minutes . Forgot to bring back ups so I only got a few pictures but wanted to share.

East Center Street lined with spectators before the parade started.







Then the runners of the 1k run came by to start it all off.





Then came the "Fun Fest Band" Which is made up of Central, Sullivan South and Sullivan North High School with the cadets and flag twirlers. They were all very good!



Then came all the great floats from lots of different companies and organizations from all around the city.