PHOTOS: Fun Fest prepares for thousands with weekend block party event

KINGSPORT, Tenn. (WJHL) — As Kingsport prepares for its annual week-long festival, many people are already setting up their chairs on Friday to help kick off the Fun Fest Block Party Weekend.

The weekend’s itinerary includes more than just one party. On Friday, festival-goers attended a 90s party and a Toadally Pets Fun Fest block “pawty.” There was live music from Flatline Band and it was also the sixth week of Twilight Alive.

News Channel 11 spoke with Emily Thompson, the director of Fun Fest, who said this year’s festival is a blast from the past.

“So, this is kind of just an added bonus night where we combine Fun Fest Block Party Weekend with [the] Twilight Alive series,” said Thompson. “And we’ve been lucky enough to have Peak Young Professionals here in Kingsport come on with us as a partner tonight and support the event and bring a little extra 90s flair. There’s some face painting, balloons, a little bit of everything down here to celebrate all your favorite 90s items.”

Thompson said Fun Fest is all about bringing the community together.

“Events like this are bringing people downtown,” Thompson said. “So, we’re excited to see people out walking around, checking out the businesses down here. We have quite a few businesses that have opened up that are new.”

There will be parties all throughout the weekend. For a list of Saturday and Sunday’s events, visit this schedule.

Visit the official Fun Fest website to view a complete list of all events. The 2024 festival will be from July 19 through 27.

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