www.ExploreDowntownKingsport.com

With the tremendous growth in Downtown Kingsport, there is a need to better communicate all of the offerings Downtown Kingsport has to offer the Tri-cities and surrounding communities.

To learn more about all that is going on in Downtown Kingsport, or add information about your downtown business to the listing, visit www.ExploreDowntownKingpsort.com A big thanks to CreativeTrust, who put the website together at no charge to Downtown Kingsport Businesses.

Downtown Business and Chef getting national spotlight

If you’ve not heard the recent news about Bone Fire Smokehouse, Chef Erick Soll, and “Live! with Regis and Kathy” then click www.timesnews.net for the whole story.

Summer 2009 update on Downtown Farmers Market

“Kingsport Farmers Market flourishing in new location
By Matthew Lane of the Kingsport Times News

Published July 3rd, 2009

KINGSPORT — The Kingsport Farmers Market is blossoming quite well in its new location downtown, with market officials saying they’ve never been this big, this early in the produce-selling season.

For years the farmers market was located in the Shelby Street parking lot behind the Kingsport Public Library, but when work began on the new TriSummit Bank headquarters (at the old AEP building), this forced the market to relocate a block over to Center Street.

All along though the city of Kingsport had been planning to move the farmers market to the old Quebecor facility. This year that move took place, and the market is now located in an open area at the corner of Center and Clinchfield.”

For the full story click on the following: www.timesnews.net

WM Paul’s Bakery opens in Downtown Kingsport

www.wmpaulsbaker.com

“Treat your family and friends to fresh bread and baked goods from WM Paul’s Bakery in Kingsport, Tennessee. We pride ourselves on making our baked goods from scratch daily. In addition to our mouthwatering baked goods, WM Paul’s Bakery offers commercial baking and catering services. Do you have a family recipe that you would like for a special occasion, but do not have the time to create? Bring the recipe to us and bring back your family tradition for your next gathering. Contact us today at (866) 675-7183 in Kingsport, Tennessee, to learn more about our bakery.

Fresh Baked Bread
Fill your home with the aroma of warm bread from our bakery. WM Paul’s Bakery features a variety of breads including white, sourdough, cinnamon raisin, and specially made European breads. Our bread is not only made from scratch, but it is also baked fresh daily. Any extra bread at the end of the day is donated to local charities.

Contact us at (866) 675-7183 in Kingsport, Tennessee, for information about our fresh bread and baked goods.

About WM Paul’s Bakery
Our owner’s grandfather was a master baker in Germany and the U.S., and he wanted to bring the family business back. Our executive chef has over 26 years of experience and was not only trained at the Culinary Institute of America, but has been a chef for Marriott and Disney Hotels.”

Kingsport takes education initiative to Harvard

Check out this recent article from the times news!

“Kingsport takes education initiative to Harvard
By Matthew Lane of Kingsport Times News
Published May 27th, 2009

KINGSPORT — Mayor Dennis Phillips and Northeast State Technical Community College President Bill Locke presented their case Wednesday afternoon on why Kingsport should receive a national award for governance from Harvard University.

Kingsport is among 16 finalists competing for Innovations in American Governance Awards from the Ash Institute for Democratic Governance and Innovation competition at the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard.” For the full article click www.timesnews.net

Twilight Alive 2009 begins May 28th

Lord willing and the creek don’t rise, Twilight Alive concerts start tonight, featuring Jim Lauderdale. Show starts at 7pm on Broad Street between Main and Market Streets. Just follow the crowd.
For the full listing, go to www.twilightalive.com andwww.myspace.com/downtownkingpsortconcerts

“Street rods set to roll back the years in downtown Kingsport”

“Street rods set to roll back the years in downtown Kingsport”
downtown Kingsport
By Kevin Castle

Published May 21st, 2009

The thrilling days of yesteryear and cruising on Kingsport’s Broad Street come back to Fred Dotson every time he fires up his 1956 Ford.

The car has been overhauled from bumper to bumper, but the feeling of pulling up to a red light on that long stretch still gives Dotson an itchy lead foot.

“There’s no way you could do some things now the way you did back then. But when you cruised down there, you had some competition pull up beside you at every red light,” said Dotson, describing a scene straight out of filmmaker George Lucas’ movie “American Graffiti.”

Broad Street and the street rods that used to cruise downtown will be the centerpieces of the 2009 Wilderness Trail Rod Run and SuperCruise happening this weekend in Kingsport.”

For the full article, click www.timesnews.net

Kingsport one of sixteen finalists for Innovations in American Government Awa

The nomination comes from Kingsport’s Higher Education initiative in Downtown Kingsport. For the full article, click here.

“Harvard Kennedy School Announces Innovations in American Government Finalists
Contact: Kate Hoagland
Email: kate_hoaglandSPAMFILTER@harvard.edu
Phone: 617-495-4347
Date: May 18, 2009

The Ash Institute for Democratic Governance and Innovation at the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University today announced the finalists for the 2009 Innovations in American Government Awards. These 16 programs represent innovations at the city, county, state, and federal levels of government and were selected from a pool of over 600 initial applicants after rigorous rounds of evaluation. Winners of the 2009 Innovations in American Government Awards will be announced in the fall.

The Bus Pit by BONE FIRE Smokehouse is open!

Bus and Pit reunited

The Bus Pit by Bone Fire is open and I just wanted to quickly give you all the link to their web site.

They have national acts booked every Wed, Fri, and Sat through the end of June – to see the entire schedule, please visit:
http://www.TheBusPit.com

Here is their press release:

Sneak Preview Week at The Bus Pit by BONE FIRE Smokehouse
The garage doors are up and the bus is parked, time to unveil the highly anticipated music venue in Downtown Kingsport, The Bus Pit by BONE FIRE Smokehouse. The 6000 square foot building, which was a former bus garage for the city, has been converted to a special event and music venue. While live music fills the air, servers will pour beverages from a city transit bus that has been converted into a bar. A city bus has been parked over the “pit” of the garage and will serve as pass through for patrons from BONE FIRE Smokehouse. The bus will serve as the main focal point while a permanent stage has been constructed to play host to various style bands making their way through Kingsport.

Additionally, The Bus Pit is available to rent for private events and corporate gatherings. From wedding receptions to fundraisers to class reunions, The Bus Pit can accommodate up to 250 guests.
The Bus Pit by BONE FIRE Smokehouse will open on Wednesday, May 6th, with Greensky Bluegrass. Winners of the 2006 Telluride Bluegrass Festival Band Competition, Michigan’s own Greensky Bluegrass is earning recognition nationwide as a growing force in acoustic roots music. On Friday, May 8th, James Intveld will take the stage. Have Faith, only the third studio record from multi-talented singer songwriter James Intveld, may just as well be a metaphor for his life; a life that has been blessed with both the highs and the lows. Closing out the opening week on Saturday, May 10th is Pierce Edens & the Dirty Work – one of “Western North Carolina’s Best Alt-Country Band”.

For more information, visit www.thebuspit.com or call 423-578-2336.

Great American Cleanup in Downtown Kingpsort, May 9th 8am-noon

Help cleanup the downtown area with
Keep Kingsport Beautiful and KNETIC

KINGSPORT, Tenn. – The appearance of a city’s downtown area speaks volumes about the value residents place on their community. Keep Kingsport Beautiful and KNETIC is offering an opportunity for Kingsport residents to join together and help clean up their downtown streets during the Kingsport Downtown Cleanup on Saturday, May 9th from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Civic, school and church organizations, boy and girl scout troops, families, individuals, and any other group are encouraged to participate in this 2009 National Great American Cleanup event. Volunteers are needed to help pickup trash, pull weeds and remove debris from the alleys. Sign in will be located at the corner of Market and Broad Streets.

“Each year the enthusiasm for downtown’s revitalization grows,” says Paul Vachon, KNETIC President and chair of the event. “Being part of the cleanup helps send the message that we value our downtown community and recognize the importance of its growing vitality. The cleanup helps to show off how beautiful Downtown Kingsport is to all those visiting.”

Last year, over 19 tons of trash was removed from the downtown area to prepare for the city’s summer community events such as Twilight Alive and the Blue Grass on Broad concert series.

To register for the cleanup or for more information, please call Keep Kingsport Beautiful at 423-392-8814 or Paul Vachon at 423-276-4879.

Downtown cleanup participants are eligible for 50% discount at 12 Bones Smokehouse on lunch items (offer excludes ribs), ½ Stir Fry Café’s buffet, and ½ lunch at Kaffe Blue this Saturday only.

KNETIC is a civic and social organization for young leaders and professionals in Kingsport. The organization’s goal is to build a critical mass of 20-40 year old professionals, and then to engage that group in making Kingsport a better place.

Keep Kingsport Beautiful is a partnership of the City of Kingsport and the Kingsport Area Chamber of Commerce. An affiliate of Keep America Beautiful, Keep Kingsport Beautiful has won more than 55 national, state and environmental awards.

Racks by the Tracks coming May 16th

Looking for a festival that includes, ribs, microbrews, and blues music. Then you’ll definitely want to check out Racks by the Tracks in Downtown Kingsport.

Click on www.racksbythetracks.com for all the information you’ll need.