About the Guest:

Emily Thompson brings a festive spirit to her vital role as the Director of Funfest and Special Events with Visit Kingsport. Born and raised in Kingsport, Tennessee, Emily has a deep-seated love for the community event that she has been part of since her childhood. With her profound commitment and enthusiasm, she orchestrates the intricate details of organizing the celebrated festival, ensuring it remains a beacon of community unity and joy. Her contributions have been vital in sustaining the festival's over 40 years of legacy in Northeast Tennessee.

Episode Summary:

In this captivating episode of "Meet Me in Tennessee," host Allie Bynum sits down with Emily Thompson to explore the vibrant heart of Northeast Tennessee's community through the lens of Funfest, a celebrated local festival. The show delves into the festival's rich history, its goal to bring people together, and the thrilling events that take place over the course of nine lively days.

The conversation kicks off with Emily sharing her lifelong connection to Funfest, the challenges and joys of planning a festival of this magnitude, and some of the festival's staple events, including the hot air balloon glow and the 8K race. The discussion then transitions to the Sunset Concert Series lineup, detailing the blend of local and widely renowned performers set to grace Funfest stages this year. All throughout, the importance of community involvement and the incredible volunteer support that brings Funfest to life are highlighted as essential components of the event's success.

Key Takeaways:

• Funfest, now in its 44th year, is anchored in the theme of community unity and features a vast array of activities over nine days.
• The festival is a combination of tourist attractions, family reunions, local business involvement, and community events for all ages, including iconic hot air balloon displays.
• Emily Thompson emphasizes the significance of volunteer involvement and how the entire community comes together to support Funfest.
• The 2023 Sunset Concert Series lineup boasts a diverse range of performers, including Crowder, Tyler Hubbard, Philip Phillips, and the Goo Goo Dolls.
• Funfest's significance goes beyond the events themselves—it serves as a symbol of shared experiences, bringing joy and creating lifelong memories for the Northeast Tennessee community.

Notable Quotes:

• "It means you don't take vacations in the summer." – Emily Thompson jokingly describes her commitment to Funfest.
• "It truly is about that unity piece and really just saying, everybody come together." – Emily on the vision behind Funfest.
• "I waited my whole life thinking one day I want to be over Funfest, and here we are." – Emily expressing her passion for her role.
• "I love when the weather lets them all get off the ground because it's so neat to watch and it's a staple." - Emily on the magic of hot air balloons during Funfest.
• "And there's that split second after it ends when the fireworks drop that it's like, whoa. You see the chaos, all the trash, and literally just moments later, it's like a clean slate." – Emily on the remarkable cleanup efforts by volunteers post-festival.

Resources:

• Northeast Tennessee Tourism Association website: northeasttennessee.org
• Visit Kingsport website: visitkingsport.com
• Funfest website for event information and tickets: funfest.net

To enjoy the full palette of stories and insights shared by Emily Thompson, tune in to this episode and be reminded of the simple yet profound joy community events like Funfest bring to our lives. Stay connected for more episodes of "Meet Me in Tennessee" that paint a vivid picture of the culture, events, and people that make Northeast Tennessee truly unique.