Our hearts and doors are OPEN here in Johnson County!
- Sheila Caldwell
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- Mar 27
- 3 min read
As our area continues to be rebuilt after Hurricane Helene's impact, it has been notable to observe the perseverance and resilience characteristic of the people of Northeast Tennessee. The storm caused damage to several key destinations including Doe Mountain Recreation Area and Watauga Lake, which will require extensive recovery and restoration
efforts for the foreseeable future.
The county’s newest tourism attraction unveiled last May, the Copperhead Road Landmark, sustained no damage. However, the stage constructed for the Copperhead Road Music Fest at Watauga Lake Winery was destroyed. The destruction of trails and streams also presents additional challenges for Johnson County. Nevertheless, residents, businesses, and organizations have collaborated to focus on our unique assets and create new opportunities.
Tourism is a leading industry in our region, impacting various aspects of the community. According to the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development, visitor spending in Johnson County alone contributed $28.1 million in business sales through indirect and induced impacts from tourism activities in 2023. Visitors also directly generated $1.5 million in state and local taxes, equivalent to $212 in tax savings for each household in the county. Our annual signature events significantly contribute to these efforts, as most are hosted and managed by local nonprofits that provide long-term programs and resources funded by these events. Taxes from hospitality and retail collected from visitors also support community improvements.
Last fall, despite the challenges, the remaining planned signature events in Johnson County proceeded as scheduled. Events like the Shady Valley Cranberry Festival and Christmas on Main took place, providing a sense of normalcy to residents and visitors. Looking ahead to 2025, all annual signature events will occur except for the Copperhead Road Music Fest and Trade Mill and Native Heritage Days. Additionally, special events and programs will be held throughout the year at tourism attractions such as Doe Mountain Recreation Area, Johnson County Center for the Arts, Museum of Butler TN, Shady Rock School, Johnson County Airport, and Heritage Hall Theatre.
Through grant funding from various sources including the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development, Tennessee Arts Commission, Tennessee Entertainment Commission, Tennessee ARPA Funds, East Tennessee Foundation, and Johnson County Community Foundation, the Johnson County Tourism Office provides free marketing, advertising, and event support for tourism partners.
2025 JOHNSON COUNTY SPECIAL EVENT SCHEDULE
Shady Valley Festival of Quilts
Friday, April 11 & Saturday, April 12, 2025
10:00 am – 4:00 pm each day
Shady Rock School | 423 Highway 133 | Shady Valley, TN
Facebook: Shady Valley Festival of Quilts
Museum of Butler TN – 25th Anniversary Celebration
Saturday, May 24, 2025
10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Museum of Butler TN | 123 Selma Curtis Road | Butler, TN
MuseumofButlerTN.org | Facebook: @MuseumofButlerTN
Kettlefoot Ultrarun
Saturday, May 31, 2025
5:30 am – 6:00 pm
DMRA Adventure Center | 1203 Harbin Hill Road | Mountain City, TN
DMRA.gov | Facebook: @DoeMountainTN
Mountain City Sunflower Festival
Saturday, July 12, 2025
9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Downtown Mountain City
SunflowerFestivalMCTN.com | Facebook: @MCTN.SunflowerFestival
9th Annual “Moonshiners” PPG/C Fly-in
Tuesday, July 29 – Sunday, August 3, 2025
Johnson County Airport | 611 Airport Road | Mountain City, TN
Facebook: @JohnsonCountyAirport
Old Butler Days
Friday, August 22 & Saturday, August 23, 2025
Museum of Butler TN | 123 Selma Curtis Road | Butler, TN
Facebook: Old Butler Day Festival
Long Journey Home
Friday, August 29 – Sunday, August 31, 2025
Johnson County Center for the Arts | 129 West Main Street | Mountain City, TN
LongJourneyHome.net | Facebook: @MusicalHeritageMuralProject
Megan Griffiths Rider Clinic
Friday, September 12 – Sunday, September 14, 2025
DMRA Adventure Center | 1203 Harbin Hill Road | Mountain City, TN
DMRA.gov | Facebook: @DoeMountainTN
Mountain City Fiddlers Convention – 100th Anniversary Celebration
Friday, October 3 – Saturday, October 4, 2025
Heritage Hall Theatre | 211 North Church Street | Mountain City, TN
MountainCityFC.com | Facebook: @MountainCityFiddlersConvention
Tri-State Cross Country Series Motorcycle Race
Saturday, October 4 – Sunday, October 5, 2025
DMRA Adventure Center | 1203 Harbin Hill Road | Mountain City, TN
DMRA.gov | Facebook: @DoeMountainTN
Shady Valley Cranberry Festival
Friday, October 10 – Saturday, October 12, 2025
Shady Rock School | 423 Highway 133 | Shady Valley, TN
Facebook: @cranberryfestival99
Christmas on Main
Saturday, December 6, 2025
10:00 am – 8:00 pm
Downtown Mountain City
Yorumlar