Kingsport, TN

One of my "non-paying" jobs is with an organization I've been a member of for many years. This year, I am Co-Chair of our annual fundraiser. If you live in or will be visiting our area, you'll find information below about Holiday Market 2008. Join us! It will be a fun weekend in the Tri-Cities.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR THE SHOPPING EVENT OF THE SEASON!

October 9-11, 2008 (Thursday evening through Saturday)

The Junior League of Kingsport is preparing to host the Second Annual Holiday Market October 9-11, 2008, at the MeadowView Marriott Conference and Convention Center in Kingsport, TN. This event will be an unprecedented holiday shopping experience for the Tri-Cities region. All proceeds will benefit the community and citizens through various Junior League of Kingsport sponsored programs. Previous projects of Junior League include Rascals Teen Center, Children's Advocacy Center, Girls Inc., and many others.

Once again, the Holiday Market will feature fine art, clothing, jewelry upscale gifts, collectibles, home decor items and gourmet foods. National, regional, and local vendors have been hand-selected for the quality, variety and uniqueness of their merchandise.

Several special events are planned in association with the Market (special ticket prices apply, and limited tickets are available for each event).

• Thursday, October 9, 2008, 6pm-10pm - Ladies Night at the Market will feature a special fiesta to open the 2008 Market with an exclusive ladies shopping night. There will be fun, shopping, food and drinks, and a silent auction with items chosen especially for ladies.
• "Beat the Rush" Breakfast, held Friday morning, October 10, 2008, 8:30am - 10:00am, will allow shoppers to snack on breakfast nibbles and coffee while shopping before the crowd arrives for General Shopping hours.
• Friday, October 10, 2008, from 7:00pm-Midnight, An Evening at the Market will feature hors d'oeuvres, fantasy casino games, dancing to favorite tunes along with silent and live auctions.
• "Muffins at the Market" Breakfast, held Saturday morning, October 11, 2008, 8:30am - 10:00 am, will allow shoppers to have a light breakfast with us while shopping before the crowd arrives for General Shopping hours.
• "Art at the Market" Cafe will be open during the special events and general shopping hours. Work by local and national artists will be displayed and available for purchase, of course!

General shopping hours are Friday, October 10, 2008, from 10:00am to 6:00pm and Saturday, October 11, 2008, from 10:00am to 6:00pm. Tickets for general shopping are $5 and may be purchased at the door. A package-check service with door side pick-up will be available, however, no strollers will be allowed in the Market.

For more information, please visit www.jlkingsport.org or call (423) 245-1321.

Well, here goes. This is my first post to Active Rain.

FABULOUS FALL IN NORTHEAST, TN - Each year at this time, I'm reminded of one of the reasons my husband and I moved our young family here 13+ years ago -- the beauty of the area and 4 true seasons. And, my favorite season is here -- autumn. Just in the last few days, I've felt that familiar crispness in the air that signals that fall weather is just around the corner. Soon, the green leaves of summer will begin their change to fall's orange and gold. And, then they'll float down from the trees to reveal the fabulous mountain views found here in northeast TN. In fall, you can see God's breathtaking handiwork for miles and miles.

FALL MEANS HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL AND A TRUE SENSE OF "COMMUNITY" - Autumn in Kingsport means high school football games. There's no better place to see the community come together than at J. Fred Johnson Stadium on Friday nights in the fall. Kingsport's Dobyns-Bennett High School boasts the largest band (high school or college) in the state of TN, marching about 400 students, and the football program has a long history of success and accomplishments, including regular appearances in post-season playoffs. Then, there are the cheerleaders and the dance team, both groups with their own list of accomplishments. Almost 1/3 of the D-B student body is represented within these student groups! And, these kids perform and compete in front of sell-out crowds, with the seats filled with Kingsport residents of all ages. Many have held the same seats for decades and wouldn't think of being anywhere else on a home game night. It's truly a place where community comes together.

FALL FESTIVALS - Autumn also means area festivals of all kinds. There's the annual Rhythm and Roots Reunion in next-door Bristol, which celebrates the region's musical heritage as "The Birthplace of Country Music." And, there's the Apple Festival in nearby Erwin, TN, which started 31 years ago as a way to celebrate the local apple crop. It's grown into a festival that celebrates and presents the unique heritage, foods, crafts, and culture of this Appalachian region. And, of course, October brings the 36th National Storytelling Festival in Jonesborough, TN, Tennessee's oldest town and home of the International Storytelling Center.

FALL - A WONDERFUL TIME TO ENJOY OUTDOOR ADVENTURE - Fall is one of the best times to enjoy any of the countless outdoor activities found in our northeast TN and southwest VA region. Here, you'll find beautiful state parks, lush mountains, and rushing rivers. Autumn is a great time to hike, enjoy whitewater rafting, trout fishing and more.

As I close this, my first, post to Active Rain, I do it by inviting you to visit my hometown of Kingsport, TN, and to experience first hand our region's picturesque beauty and charming people.