Racks by the Tracks

One of the region’s most popular festivals, Racks by the Tracks, returns to the Kingsport Farmers Market on Saturday, May 17^th to celebrate its 17^th year. This year’s festival will feature the original Tri-Cities’ tasting event, a BBQ competition, the Racks by the Tracks 10K and 5K Race (featuring the Boss Hog Challenge) and a full day of great music.

We are SO EXCITED to announce that The Kentucky Headhunters will be joining us to headline this year’s concert! Music City Stones Rolling Stones Tribute and Smokey Jones and The 3 Dollar Pistols will also be joining us!

The tasting event, presented by Allandale Package Store, will feature around 100 unique craft beers, wines, seltzers and sangrias. Tickets for this year’s tasting event will be an all-inclusive ticket to sample all of the available beverages. Attendees will also place votes for their favorite libations and receive a souvenir glass.

Returning for its 12^th year is the Racks by the Tracks 10K and 5K Race/Walk presented by Powell Valley National Bank. Along with the energizing environment, one of the draws of this race is that its course is considered the fastest course in the region because of how consistently flat it is. This year’s race course will once again give runners the opportunity to compete on different sections of Kingsport’s Greenbelt. Runners seeking a challenge can sign-up for the Boss Hog Challenge. In this unique test of stamina, participants will run both the 10K & 5K races and receive an exclusive Boss Hog Challenger gift. Racers are encouraged to register early for the best pricing during the “First 72-Hour Online Sale” that runs from March 7 until March 10 when prices increase.

First 72-Hour Online Sale Prices:

5K – $20

10K – $30

Boss Hog Challenge – $45

Beginning March 10, the prices will increase to:

5K – $25

10K – $35

Boss Hog Challenge – $50

For those looking to enjoy great food, the BBQ Competition will give attendees an opportunity to taste the best barbecue from restaurants and teams from across the region. Each attendee can cast their vote for People’s Choice awards. No ticket is required to access this section of the festival. Non-barbecue food vendors will also be on-site. Food is not included in ticket cost and must be purchased separately.

Entertainment on the Honda Kingsport Stage will feature headliner, The Kentucky Headhunters. Declared ‘the great American rock ‘n’ roll band’ by Billboard magazine, The Kentucky Headhunters began their professional journey in 1968, when brothers Fred and Richard Young and cousins Greg Martin and Anthony Kenney formed the Southern blues-rock band Itchy Brother. The band morphed into The Kentucky Headhunters in 1986. Their first album, 1989’s Pickin’ On Nashville, was released by Mercury Records and surprised the world, becoming a hit and selling more than two million copies. The album won a Grammy Award, three Country Music Awards, an American Music Award and an Academy Of Country Music Award. It spawned four consecutive Top 40 Country hits. Currently, the band is made up of Richard Young, Fred Young, Greg Martin and Doug Phelps.

Music kicks-off on the Honda Kingsport Stage at 12:30 p.m. with country cover band, Smokey Jones & The 3 Dollar Pistols. At 3 p.m., Music City Stones, a Rolling Stones Tribute band, will take the stage. The Kentucky Headhunters kick off their show at 6 p.m.

Racks by the Tracks tickets go on sale on Friday, March 7 at 10 a.m. and will be available for purchase online at www.racksbythetracks.com. Individuals are again encouraged to purchase early for the best pricing during the “First 72-Hour Online Sale” that runs from March 7 until March 10 when prices increase.

First 72-Hour Online Sale Prices:

Beverage Tasting/Concert Ticket Combo – includes Craft Beers, Seltzers and Wines and access to the concerts – $35

Concert Ticket – $10

Beginning March 10, the beverage tasting ticket price will increase to $45 and the concert-only ticket will increase to $15.

Racks by the Tracks prides itself on giving back each year and to-date has contributed over $100,000 to local non-profits. Proceeds have benefited the following organizations throughout the years: Second Harvest Food Bank, Sullivan County Humane Society, Boys & Girls Club, Girls Inc. of Kingsport, Blue Star Moms, West Ridge High School Band, Eastman Foundation, Kingsport Chamber, Downtown Kingsport Association, PEAK Young Professionals, Relay for Life, Skin Cancer Foundation, Kingsport Ballet, Rotary Clubs of Kingsport and St. Jude Children’s Hospital.

Racks by the Tracks is sponsored by AccuForce, Action Rentals, Allandale Package Store, Athens Distributing, Barberitos of Kingsport, Bristol Broadcasting, Cherokee Distributing, Daytime Tri-Cities, Express AV, Fleet Feet, Frank Merendino, DDS, Honda Kingsport, Lipman Distributing, Powell Valley National Bank, The Regional Eye Center and Visit Kingsport.