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Jonesborough Days June 30 – July 2

Historic Jonesborough, Tennessee’s Oldest Town, will celebrate the 47th annual Jonesborough Days Festival on June 30 through July 2 with family activities, regional music, parade, fireworks, storytelling and more!

The 2017 Jonesborough Days Festival will begin Friday, June 30 at 10 a.m. and continue through Sunday, July 2 at 10 p.m. as it goes out with a bang during the annual fireworks display. The parade will take place on Saturday, July 1 at 10 a.m. throughout downtown.

Festival hours include Friday and Saturday, June 30 and July 1 from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday, July 2 from Noon to 10 p.m.  Admission to the festival is free and open to the public.

The festival has been voted as one of the top events in the southeast and is known for its community patriotism and nostalgic atmosphere. Various entertainment and activities will take place throughout the historic district on all three days. Doc’s Front Porch will feature a variety of storytellers and musicians on the plaza at the International Storytelling Center during the day. The Main Stage will also feature entertainment each evening including The Beach Nite Band, The WannaBeatles, Southern Accents- Tribute to Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers and more. Shop over 70 vendors, showcasing local handmade crafters with a variety of wares. And of course, there will be a variety of great festival foods with everything from BBQ to funnel cakes being offered.

Last year we debuted the First Tennessee Discovery Park located behind the Storytelling Center and we are excited to bring it back with even more activities. There you will find lots of hands-on ways to experience activities only found in Jonesborough including McKinney Center Art and Performance classes, Oak Hill School sessions, Heritage Games from the Heritage Alliance and more. Visit Discovery Park each day and see what all Jonesborough has to discover!

The Jonesborough Repertory Theatre will also present South Pacific with performances scheduled all weekend long. Visit their website, jonesboroughtheatre.com for show times and tickets. Parking and shuttles are available at the Jonesborough Middle School for $5 per car.

 

Jonesborough Days  Main Stage Line-up

The Jonesborough Days Main Stage sponsored by the Johnson City Power Board will feature the sounds of some regional favorites along with some fun tribute bands during the 47th annual patriotic summer event June 30 – July 2.

The Main Stage entertainment kicks off at 7 p.m. on Thursday, June 30 on the steps of the downtown Courthouse. The Main Stage welcomes the return of a few familiar faces to the Jonesborough Days activities, The Beach Nite Band. Formally known as the Collegians, the Beach Nite Band combines a summer feel to popular R&B, soul, disco blues, classic pop and boogie music guaranteed to appeal to all ages.  Known for their “Carolina Beach Music,” they offer a wide variety of music styles for dancing and listening, along with comedic showmanship from the group’s four members. Their performance will continue until 10 p.m. when the festival wraps up for the day.

Then on Saturday, Jonah Riddle and Carolina Express make their debut to the Main Stage from 5:30-7 p.m. From the mountains of Western North Carolina, brothers Jonah and Grayson joined by their dad, Benjie bring their banjo, guitar and upright bass together to form a bluegrass experience they like to call, Carolina Express. From 8-10 p.m. we welcome back a crowd favorite to the stage, The WannaBeatles. They are an award-winning group featuring four talented performers who use their multi-instrumental skills to re-create all eras of the Beatles song catalogue. Get ready for a different kind of Beatles experience that combines great Beatles classics with hilarious on stage antics, audience involvement and award winning entertainment.

On Sunday, July 2 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. join us as heartfelt Appalachian folk songs meet heavy country blues with 49 Winchester. From Castlewood, VA the band originally formed in 2013 and recently reunited for a resurgence of great music and good times. 49 Winchester’s sound takes the poetic lyrics of singer/guitarist Isaac Gibson & combines acoustic traditional instruments with modern day influences to create an energetic and melodic blend of high energy folk rock. Then from 8-10 p.m., we welcome Southern Accents- A Tribute to Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers to the Main Stage. Assembled from an entire team of talented ace-musicians from the Nashville studio & touring circuit, Southern Accents recreates the music, style & sound of Tom Petty professionally with immaculate precision and wildly contagious enthusiasm. From their uncanny resemblance to the original band and the way they move onstage to the note-for-note, stunning recreations of Petty’s music from throughout his entire catalog – Southern Accents showcase the best of the best of his songs. Then stick around as the festival wraps up with the annual fireworks show starting at 10 p.m.

 

Jonesborough Days Annual Fireworks Show 

One of the most anticipated aspects of the annual Jonesborough Days Festival is the fireworks show.  Now in its 47th year, the Festival will host the fireworks show on Sunday, July 2 at 10 p.m. The show is expected to be seen throughout most of Jonesborough, as the fireworks will be assembled and projected from the Library parking lot which is in between downtown and 11-E.

Festival goers are expected to witness a large number of the fireworks along portions of Highway 11-E and throughout downtown Jonesborough. “The annual fireworks show has become a tradition for many and this location works well to accommodate the crowds in the downtown area as well as along 11-E” said Melinda Copp, Main Street Director.

The Main Stage will feature music from the regional band 49 Winchester as well as Nashville natives Southern Accents- A Tribute to Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers just prior to the fireworks display. Come enjoy the show while grabbing some of great festival food or treats offered from downtown businesses.

 

 

Moonpie Eating Contest, Dog Costume Contest and a Watermelon Social

Jonesborough Days is excited to offer some new contests this year along with a cool, summer social. Each day during the festival, 2 p.m. in front of the courthouse is where you will want to be. On Friday, June 30 join us along with Ingles Market for a Watermelon Social. Free watermelon will be provided until it’s all gone, so come gather ‘round with friends and family and beat the heat with a taste of summer.

On Saturday, July 1 at 2 p.m., join us for the MoonPie Eating Contest. We are excited to share the story of the MoonPie by celebrating their 100 year anniversary with the snack known for being “as big as the moon”. There will be 3 categories including: 12&under, 13-17 years and adult. Contestants will be challenged to see who can finish their MoonPies the fastest. Registration is free and begins at 1:30 p.m. at the Courthouse Tent, limited space available. The winners of each category will receive a free shirt and MoonPies for a year.

Jonesborough Days will then be howling with summer fun on Sunday, July 2nd starting at 2 p.m. in front of the Courthouse as we present the first annual Dog Days of Summer Contest. We’re looking for the best dressed pets to show off their summer wardrobe with categories including Best Swimsuit, Best Trunks, Most Patriotic, Coolest Shades and Hippest Headwear. This is sure to be a tail-wagging, good time for all that you can’t miss! Entry is free and prizes will be awarded in each category. Those interested in participating, please come to the Courthouse Tent by 1:45 p.m. Water, cooling stations and treats will be available for all participants.

 

More Information

For a complete event schedule or for more information on the 47th Annual Jonesborough Days Festival, call 423.753.1010 or visit www.jonesboroughdays.com

 

Photos by Whitney S W Creative.