Southwest Virginia and Northeast Tennessee host a number of fairs and festivals throughout the year that offer fun for the whole family.
From traditional fairs featuring carnival rides and contests to star-packed NASCAR events where folks can mingle with their favorite drivers, there is always something going on.
Fun Fest
This activity-packed festival draws hordes of people to Kingsport, Tenn., every summer for nine days of music, food, contests, art and games.
The festival has grown since it started in 1981. In recent years, nearly 200,000 people have attended. Music is the backbone of the event, which also lures families who take part in scavenger hunts, art exhibitions, food vendors and more.
This year, Fun Fest is scheduled for July 11-18. For information, visit www.funfest.net.
Jonesborough National Storytelling Festival
Thousands descend upon Tennessee’s oldest town the first weekend of October to take part in the Jonesborough National Storytelling Festival, a three-day extravaganza featuring the world’s best. The festival was named one of the top 20 events by the Southeast Tourism Society, and has gained so much notoriety since it began in 1973 that it sparked something of a storytelling renaissance.
The festival will be held Oct. 3-5 this year and tickets are available at www.storytellingcenter.com.
Virginia-Kentucky District Fair
This summer, the 95th annual fair will be held June 2-7 in Wise, Va. Sticking to a successful tradition, the fair will feature carnival rides, music entertainment, a demolition derby and horse show. Added to the activities are a number of food vendors who offer an array of carnival fare. As many as 30,000 attend the event each year at $6 per ticket. For information, call (276) 328-9772.
Appalachian Fair
One of the biggest events of its kind in the region, about 230,000 people flock to Gray, Tenn., each August for a week of competitive fun and festive exhibits. This year, the fair will be Aug. 18-23 and will feature carnival rides, livestock competitions, pageants, country music and a demolition derby. Entry is $8 for adults, $3 for children 6 to 11 and free for children under 5.
For information, visit www.appalachianfair.com.
Race Night
The streets of downtown Bristol are packed with about 60,000 people each year for Race Night, a charity event that kicks off Race Week in August. Fans get a chance to meet and get pictures and autographs of their favorite NASCAR stars. Folks also can enjoy show cars, souvenir trailers and free food. For information, visit www.bristolmotorspeedway.com.
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