Kingsport Aquatic Center: Drool Party

Event offers dogs a chance to play and swim in the Outdoor Water Park

The Kingsport Aquatic Center is once again hosting a two-day Drool Party later this summer for all our furry friends, offering dogs of all breeds and sizes a chance to run, play and socialize in the outdoor water park.

And to top things off, the KAC is offering a new, special session for just small dogs (weighing 25 pounds or less).

“We’re excited about adding a third session to this year’s Drool party, one specifically aimed at small breeds, such as Terriers, Dachshunds and Chihuahuas,” said Aquatics Program Coordinator Madison Gump. “Many folks have suggested this idea in recent years, saying their dogs are afraid of the larger dogs, so we’re happy to be able to offer this special session just for them.”

For more than 10 years the Kingsport Aquatic Center has ended its summer season by inviting dogs of all breeds and sizes to come down and enjoy an afternoon of running, jumping and playing in the toddler play area of outdoor water park.

The Drool Party will take place from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on September 6 and from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on September 7. The small dog session will take place from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on September 7. This will be the final swim of the season before the outdoor facility is “winterized” by the staff.

Admission is $5 per dog and free to owners. Limit two dogs per person, and the dogs’ handler must be over 18 and bring leashes with them.

Your dogs must be up to date on all vaccines, including Parvo, Distemper and Rabies. Bordetella is highly recommended, but not required for this event. Vaccination records are required for entry to the Drool Party.

Bark Avenue and Toadally Pets are expected to be onsite during the event. Dog-related vendors (groomers, boarding, treats) and food trucks interested in setting up at the Drool Party, should contact Madison Gump at madisongump@kingsporttn.gov for more information.

To register for the Drool Party, visit https://bit.ly/3P2HNBD. You can also register by clicking on the CivicRec link in the Connect Kingsport app or by going to www.kingsporttn.gov and clicking on the “CivicRec” link, then search for “drool party” in the search bar.

For information about other Kingsport Parks and Recreation programs, please visit www.kingsportparksandrecreation.org.

About Kingsport Aquatic Center

The Kingsport Aquatic Center is the region’s most comprehensive indoor-outdoor public aquatic and recreation facility. Located in Kingsport’s Meadowview district at the base of iconic Bays Mountain, the center provides area residents and visitors with the best in health, fitness and recreation features in a safety-focused environment. The Kingsport Aquatic Center features the area’s only indoor Olympic-sized pool, the HMG Competition pool, plus year-round swim courses and American Red Cross-certified water safety and lifeguard training. A seasonal outdoor water park offers recreational activities from mid-May to early September. Seasonal, annual and daily rates are available. For more information, visit www.swimkingsport.com.

About the City of Kingsport

Founded in 1917, the City of Kingsport (pop. 55,400) is located on the Tennessee-Virginia border at the crossroads of I-81 and I-26 near the geographic center of the eastern United States. The city is widely known as a planned community, designed by renowned city planner John Nolen and wrapping around the foot of Bays Mountain – a 3,750-acre park, nature preserve, planetarium and observatory. Kingsport is recognized as an International Safe Community by the National Safety Council, a Healthier Tennessee community, and won the 2009 Harvard Innovations in American Government Award for its higher education initiatives. While many city names are duplicated throughout the U.S., there’s only one Kingsport – a fact that invokes community pride, known locally as the “Kingsport Spirit.” For more information, please visit www.kingsporttn.gov.