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Fun Fest Origins

Contributed by: Will Akard
Date: July 14, 2026

By: Will Akard

In Kingsport, when the calendar flips to July, that means it’s Fun Fest season. Since 1981, the Model City has spent the last weeks of July partying and making the most of the final moments of summer before school starts back up. Fun Fest has become a summer staple in Kingsport and the most anticipated event of the year across the city. Now, Fun Fest is approaching year 46 and is one of the most successful award-winning festivals in Tennessee, but how did Fun Fest grow into the spectacle it is today?

In 1981, Fun Fest was introduced as a way to showcase the “Kingsport Spirit,” with the first-ever theme being “Community Unity.” That original theme of unity is consistently echoed each year the festival is renewed, and this is especially true as the festival routinely draws crowds of more than 100,000 from Tennessee and surrounding regions, including visitors from 32 different states.  For over 46 years, Fun Fest has continued to grow and evolve, becoming larger every year; however, one thing has remained the same. Unity. This is the message that is at the heart of the festivities every year, and is the foundation of Fun Fest laid back in 1981. 

Fun Fest continued to grow through the 80s, becoming longer and drawing bigger crowds. By the 90s, the events of Fun Fest were a yearly expectation. Concerts became larger, and anticipation for Fun Fest began to soar. A major reason for this is the most unique event on the Fun Fest schedule, the Medallion Hunt. The Medallion Hunt has been a part of Fun Fest since the beginning and allows participants to explore the community through clues, competing to find the same prize. The hunt instills collaboration, competition, and fun for the whole community and beyond; the tradition of searching for the medallion has now been passed through generations. There is a new hunt each day of Fun Fest, and it is easily one of the most anticipated and most popular events each year. 

One more event that is a staple of Fun Fest began in 1982. This would be the famous balloon glow. Each summer, a collection of hot-air balloons fills the Kingsport skyline and attracts massive crowds for the final few days of Fun Fest. When people think of Fun Fest, they think of balloons, and each year, as the balloons glow and soar into the air, the streets of Kingsport are flooded with people from all over, united under the canvas of colorful hot-air balloons. 

For 46 years, Fun Fest has served as a pinnacle event in the Kingsport community. The festivities and joy that Fun Fest brings each year have an immeasurable impact on not only Kingsport but also the surrounding areas. As the festival grows year by year, generations to come will continue to enjoy celebrating Fun Fest, and the impact and fun will continue to shine. As we celebrate another year of Fun Fest in 2026, let’s continue to embody the original theme of Fun Fest – unity. 

For more information on Fun Fest, visit: https://funfest.net/ 

Stay up to date on current Fun Fest announcements and social posts by following the official Fun Fest Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/KingsportFunFest