Short Takes: Kingsport’s Fun Fest, Outdoor Drama ‘Liberty!‘ and Great on State on This Week’s List

FUN FEST
Ride a balloon. Hear a song. Pedal a bike. Eat lots of food. Or just sit back and watch it all.
Dozens of activities fall under the banner of Fun Fest.
Scheduled to run from July 11-19 in Kingsport, Fun Fest begins per tradition with a parade through downtown. Festivities conclude on July 19 with a fireworks show.
In between, folks can see a play (“Keep on the Sunny Side” at the Eastman Auditorium on July 11), participate in an 8K run on July 12, take in a car show on July 19 and chow down on food from local eateries via Taste of Tri-Cities.
Participate in volleyball, softball or golf tournaments. Watch a dog show on July 14 at Allandale Mansion, marvel as wrestlers grapple on July 16 at the Civic Auditorium and then participate in the Moonlight Hike in Bays Mountain Park on July 17.
Hear music. Boogie on the bayou with Chubby Carrier and his distinctly Louisianan zydeco sound on July 11. Aim high on July 12 with the classical leaning gospel of Dino Kartsonakis. Take your pick.
Now how much Fun can you handle?

IF YOU GO
What: 28th Annual Fun Fest
When: July 11-19
Where: Fun Fest, Kingsport
Info: (423) 392-8809
Web: http://www.funfest.net

LIBERTY!
Roll back to 1772. History took strong root in Sycamore Shoals as the site of the first permanent American settlement beyond the 13 colonies.
Settlers warred with the British for freedom and with Native Americans for land. Catch the drama of the local struggle via “Liberty! The Saga of Sycamore Shoals.”
Scheduled for each Thursday through Saturday from July 11-26 at Sycamore Shoals State Historic Area in Elizabethton, the play features locals in the roles of pioneers and patriots in what was then the hub of activity in the region.
See America in its infancy when rights were fought for and liberty was not a given. Watch as freedom takes root and fuels a drive toward independence. Look around for it happened in part here, the birthing of America’s liberty.

IF YOU GO
What: “Liberty! The Saga of Sycamore Shoals”
When: July 10-26, Thursday-Saturday, gates open at 6:30 p.m.
Where: Sycamore Shoals State Historic Area, Fort Watauga Amphitheater, 1651 W. Elk Ave., Elizabethton
Tickets: $10 for adults, $9 for senior citizens, $8 for students, children ages 5 and under admitted free
Info: (423) 543-5808
Web: http://www.sycamoreshoals.org
And: http://www.tnstateparks.com/sycamoreshoals

GREAT ON STATE
Downtown Bristol thrives on music. And downtown Bristol, that’s State Street.
So head for State Street on July 10 for the summer’s second installment of It’s Great on State. Featuring music by four acts including Ras Alan and Catbird Seat, the 800-block encompassing event includes non-stop music and as much food and fun as a person can digest.
Amid America’s sagging economy and soaring gas prices, such free-of-charge events add to the draw. Bring your family. Follow your neighbors. Escape the economy and mortgage if but for a few hours among friends.
Then, end the evening by walking down State Street to hear more music inside one of several restaurants and nightclubs. Great on State – without a doubt.

IF YOU GO
What: It’s Great on State, featuring Ol’ Dogs New Tricks, Catbird Seat, Ras Alan and The Lions
When: July 10, 5-9 p.m.
Where: Downtown Center, 800 block of State Street, Bristol
Tickets: Free
Info: (423) 764-4171
Web: http://www.believeinbristol.org

TOM NETHERLAND is a freelance writer. He can be reached at .