A New Year Ahead

Best wishes for the New Year to the fans of the Blue Plum Festival in Johnson City, TN! In about six months, the 2010 Blue Plum Festival will get underway. This coming festival has been extended to include an additional day of entertainment and fun!


The festival will be Friday June 4, 2010 through Sunday June 6, 2010. Last year the attendance was about 80,000 so we are expecting a record turnout for the 2010 festival! Remember this is a free music and arts festival in downtown Johnson City, TN...that's right...FREE!


Our volunteer program, "Plum Up", will kick off in January 2010..so we'll be asking some of our friends to help in planning and executing the biggest outdoor event in the Tri-Cities area!


For now, we would just like to say Happy New Year and stay safe!

I'm Dreaming of a "Blues Christmas"

Facebook Fan Page Giveaway

"I'm Dreaming of a Blues Christmas"

The Blue Plum Festival is proud to announce our newest giveway just in time for Christmas! We are teaming up with Slackjack Guitars in Jonesborough, TN to offer a one-of-a kind Cigar Box Guitar as the prize for our giveway.

To find out more about Slackjack Guitars click HERE

Pictures of the actual guitar along with more information about the contest will be posted on the evening of Wednesday Dec 16th. The contest does have limitations...

You CAN NOT BE:

A member of the Blue Plum Festival Committee

A member of the Friends of Olde Downtowne

You MUST:

Be Age 21 and over (proof will be required)

Live within the Tri-Cities, TN region (no further than 50 miles from Johnson City, TN)

Agree to take delivery no later than Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Sign a release authorize use of your photo to be used in promotional photos for the Blue Plum Festival and Slackjack Guitars.

The giveaway will be a triva based contest. The first winning answer (posted on the facebook fan event page) who meets all of the criteria, will be named the winner.

The contest will be held on Friday, December 18th..and the winner will be announced on Saturday, December 19th. So again, good luck..and Merry Christmas from the Blue Plum Festival!

Winners for the Downtown Christmas Window Display Contest

Winners Announced for the Downtown Christmas Window Display Contest

First and foremost, a big thank you to the merchants who particpated in the contest. There were so many unique windows. Also, a thank you to our judges, including those who texted their vote for the "People's Choice". We received over 800 text votes!

Congratulations to the 1ST place winner - NUMAN'S

2nd Place - ETSU Physicians

People's Choice - ETSU Arts Department

Congratulations to the winners, and once again thank you to everyone who participated!

Holiday Happenings with Jake Legg's Lost State Tours

Jake Legg's Lost State Tours, Johnson City, Tennessee's first and only bus tour and charter company, is full of holiday cheer this year! They are now offering a variety of ways for residents and visitors to take advantage of the region's seasonal celebrations.


This year, Lost State Tours will also offer tours to the Bristol Motor Speedway so that large groups can ride in comfort and style to enjoy the annual Speedway in Lights that benefit the Speedway Children's Charities. The Speedway tour has become an annual tradition for many families, and by utilizing the bus tour, you will get a vantage point and have an experience that you just can't get by riding in a lower riding passenger vehicle.


Lost State Tours can also offers options for your "Office Holiday Party." From private tours, progressive dinners, to pub crawls, they offer many packages to accommodate your needs. The bus seats 23 guests comfortably, and you are encouraged/welcome to bring your own snacks and drinks.

Looking for a special gift for that someone in your life? Let me suggest a gift certificate as a stocking stuffer. Give the gift of a memory!

Mention this BLOG POST and you will receive $10 worth of Jake's bread---valid for tour tickets or a charter.

Give the Boss Woman at (423) 557-4248 or visit the tour online at http://www.loststatetours.com/

Become a fan of Lost State tours on facebook! http://tiny.cc/LostStateToursFB

Blue Plum Festival Director Visits Daytime Tri-Cities

Mr. David Pennington visited the set of Daytime Tri-Cities today to talk about the upcoming First Friday and Christmas Parade in Downtown Johnson City, TN. Thank you to Morgan King for being such a gracious host...as always.

Blue Plum looks forward to appearing on the show again to update the area on the activities slated for the 2010 Blue Plum Festival!

First Friday December 4, 2009

The Johnson City, TN Christmas Parade returns to Downtown!

• That's right folks, the parade is back where it belongs...on Main Street! The festivities will get underway at 5:00pm with food and merchandise vendors on East Main Street.
• At 5:30pm in Fountain Square, by Freiburg's, witness the beauty and awe of the Tree Lighting Ceremony. Carolers from First Presbyterian Church will be on-hand to add even more Holiday Spirit to this event!
• Stop by and enjoy a winter wonderland in Majestic Park. At 6:00pm the Celebration Show Choir of the Tri-Cities will perform in the park gazebo. Talk about feeling festive!
• The PARADE will get underway at 6:30pm with a the route heading up State of Franklin, turning onto Buffalo, and coming straight through downtown on Main Street! Makes me smile just typing it!
• Several events will be going on downtown on December 4, 2009 including an art exhibit at Nelson Fine Art featuring the artist Sammie Nicely.
• 7:30pm (approximately) SANTA returns to the King Centre. In a nostalgic turn of events, Santa is back where he once hosted the multitudes of children (and adults). Parents make sure to bring your camera for this important photo opportunity.

Thanks to all of the merchants who will participate in decorating their store windows! This again will be another nostalgic addition to the evening. So bring your families and come downtown to Johnson City, TN to enjoy the First Friday/Christmas Festivities!

Site For the 2010 Blue Plum Festival Cornhole Tournament

Wanted to share a bird's eye view for the proposed location of the 2010 Blue Plum Festival Cornhole Tournament. The Buffalo Street Parking Lot, during the paving process.

Back by Popular Demand, A Tuna Christmas

The Blue Moon Theatre brings back the madcap holiday favorite A Tuna Christmas. Perfomances begin on Friday November 20, 2009 and run through January 2, 2010. The Broadway-style live performance includes a candlelit five course meal. The Blue Moon Dinner Theatre is located at 215 E. Main Street in downtown Johnson City, TN. Reservations can be made by calling (423) 232-1350 or by visiting the theatre online at http://www.bluemoondinnertheatre.com/. Back at the theatre through popular demand, A Tuna Christmas is suitable for the entire family! Whether it is their first or fifth time seeing A Tuna Christmas, audiences will love this laugh filled evening!



A Tuna Christmas, by Joes Sears & Jaston William, and Ed Howard is the second in the beloved quad-rilogy of plays about the citizens of Texas' third smallest town, Tuna, Texas. Two actors, and some split-second costume changes, portray all 24 citizens of Tuna, TX, where the Lion's Clun is too liberal and Patsy Cline never dies. In this hilarious sequel to Greater Tuna, it's Christmas Eve and all comic mayhem is about to break loose as the delightfully eccentric characters attempt to cope with seasonal traumas, including hot competition in the hot lawn display contest that is being sabotaged by a mysterious Christmas Phantom or the Tuna Little's ill fated production of "A Christmas Carol" that is jeopardized by unpaid electric bills.


All tickets for perfomances are $39.99 (plus tax) and includes the performance and dinner. Group rates are available for groups of 10 or more. Many dates are sold out, so make your reservations now!

http://www.bluemoondinnertheatre.com/

The Forgotten Victims...

Please Help Us Feed the Forgotten Victims....

When you hear the words recession and economic crisis, do you ever conjure up images of a family's beloved beagle or playful gray kitten and think VICTIM? Well, that is unfortunately the situation that is happening all too often to pets throughout our communities. Families have been impacted with additional financial burdens throughout this area and because of their current financial state they are being forced to give away their pets because they can no longer afford to feed them.

Many of these once loved pets will be placed in shelters throughout the area. And the sad fact is, that they might not ever be a part of another loving home.

Join us in helping feed these pets keep families together by donating dog and cat pet food.

Donations can be brought to:

Nibbles and Kibbles Pet Food Pantry

located in Downtown Johnson City@

Everything Under One Woof

318 E. Main Street

Johnson City, TN 37601

*Store Hours Monday-Saturday 12pm to 5:30pm

For donation pick ups please contact:

Kathy

(423) 946-7376

The Official Southern Railroad Depot Collector's Ornament 2009

For a limited time participating downtown Johnson City merchants will offer this 2009 Commemorative Ornament for sale. With only 400 in existence, this is sure to become a collector's item! At a cost of only $10 this 24k gold on solid brass ornament includes a Certificate of Authenticity issued by the Charleston Mint. The Certificate details the history of the Southern Railroad Depot from 1912 to 1972, and is one of Johnson City, Tennessee's prominent landmarks.

In addition to being sold at retail locations, the ornaments will be sold during the monthly First Friday celebration to be held on December 4, 2009. A list of participating merchants is coming soon!

Remember the ornament is being offered in a limited quanitity of 400. This makes a great Holiday gift, souvenir, and a beautiful addition to your Christmas tree!

Second Harvest Food Bank Food Drive Continues!

Just a reminder that collection barrels will be placed downtown for the Second Harvest Food Bank. The barrels will be placed at the following locations in Johnson City, TN now through December 4, 2009:

• Atlantis on 242 E. Main Street
• Beadworks on 257 E. Main Street
• Nelson Fine Art on 324 E. Main Street
• Under One Woof on 318 E. Main Street
• Unique Treasures on 232 E. Main Street

During a season when we are paying thanks and celebrating love, remember to give back to your community. The barrels are for nonperishable food items only. To find out about ongoing programs and more information about the organization. Please visit the website for the Northeast Tennessee Second Harvest Food Bank.

First Friday November 2009

First Friday in November 2009 was dedicated to the ETSU Bucs...it was Homecoming week afterall! There were so many great things going on downtown that night! From the introduction of the Homecoming Queen and King candidates, to a pep rally for the ETSU Ladies Basketball team. You can't have a pep rally without the ETSU Mascot and Cheerleaders!!!

Festivities included art auctions, live body art shows, and Unique Treasures had an art showing as well as belly dancing! It was one busy night downtown!!

Thank you to all who came out to support the Bucs, as well as First Friday!

Make sure to mark your calendars for December 4, 2009. First Friday will celebrate the holidays in style! With a tree lighting service on Fountain Square, Jonesborough Children's Choir in Majestic Park, the Christmas Parade which will come down State of Franklin Street, Buffalo, and then up Main Street.

The downtown merchants are also getting into the spirit by decorating their store windows. And remember Santa returns to the King Centre as well. The Second Chance Harvest Bank collection bins will also be in various stores throughout downtown.

JC First Friday

Tonight is the First Friday Celebration in downtown Johnson City, Tennessee! It's homecoming week at ETSU and they are having a pep rally to show the city's ETSU Buc Pride! The festivities begin at 6:00pm and will continue throughout the downtown and into the evening.

Some of the events will include art exhibits, free yoga classes, homemade doughnuts for sale, bluegrass, and much more! For more information on this event, please visit the downtown site at http://jcfirstfriday.com/

The downtown is also collecting nonperishable food items for the Second Harvest Food Bank. Look for the collection barrels which will be located on E. Main Street.

The Blue Plum is Going Social

The Blue Plum Festival has decided to get social! What does that mean??? Well, that means you can find us on Facebook now by becoming a friend or fan, and follow us on twitter!

This blog will be dedicated to informing it's visitors on the ongoing events in the downtown area of Johnson City, Tennessee. If you're looking for things to do, places to visit, food, and drink...then follow our blog!

Over the next few months before the Blue Plum Festival, I will be hitting the social scene to give you the scoop on the latest information concerning events that help promote the festival.

Remember to share us with your friends..it's all about being sociable!

Find us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/blueplumfest

And on Facebook with username Blue Plum. We also have a fan page that will be an interactive experience in the months to come!