Looking for something to do close to home this weekend? Johnson County has a little bit of everything on tap September 25–27 — Friday night football, local art, living history, live music, cars, an outdoor movie and plenty of reasons to get outside and enjoy the beginning of fall.
Friday Night Lights
The Johnson County Longhorns are home Friday night, September 25, taking on Chuckey-Doak at Johnson County High School. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.
And if you’re looking for a more laid-back Friday evening, Villa Nove Vineyards is open from 4–9 p.m. Friday, with weekend hours continuing Saturday from 1–9 p.m. and Sunday from 1–6 p.m.
Start Saturday at the Farmers Market
The Johnson County Farmers Market continues its Saturday season at Ralph Stout Park from 9 a.m.–noon, with locally grown produce, meats, handmade items and other goods from area producers.
Create Something at the Arts Center
The Johnson County Center for the Arts, 129 W. Main Street, will host Pressed Flower Greeting Cards with Barbara Gerber Saturday from 11 a.m.–1 p.m.
The $15 hands-on workshop teaches participants to use pressed flowers and 3-D elements to create one-of-a-kind greeting cards. Young people and teens are welcome, and no previous experience is needed.
Then on Sunday, Sept. 27, the Arts Center Education Center at 127 College Street hosts an End of Summer Glaze Workshop with Paige Janeri from 2–4 p.m.
Participants can choose one of Janeri’s locally handmade pottery pieces, select their glaze colors and learn techniques for decorating it. The workshop fee is $15, plus $5–$30 for the pottery piece selected.
Even if you’re not taking a class, downtown visitors can stop by the Arts Center gallery and take a walk along Mountain City’s Music Mural Mile.
International Overdose Awareness Day
The rescheduled International Overdose Awareness Day event hosted by the ACTION Coalition and ACTION Recovery Resource Center will take place Saturday from 11 a.m.–2 p.m. at Ralph Stout Park.
The community event focuses on awareness, remembrance, prevention and connecting people with support and recovery resources. Information about the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline will also be available.
Step Back in Time at the Museum of Butler
Saturday’s Living History Saturday at the Museum of Butler features historical interpreter Robert Rambo portraying his ancestor, Abraham Nave, from noon–2 p.m.
The program gives visitors an opportunity to experience the region’s early history through first-person interpretation and storytelling.
The project is funded under an agreement with the State of Tennessee and administered by the Tennessee Commission for the United States Semiquincentennial.
Meet the Animals at Villa Nove Farm & Vineyard from 1–7 PM
Looking for something a little different this weekend? Head to Villa Nove Farm & Vineyard for a private animal experience featuring an adorable baby Highland cow, goats and more! Villa Nove is also open Friday from 4–9 PM, Saturday from 1–9 PM and Sunday from 1–6 PM.
Visitors can book a session for an up-close encounter with the vineyard’s furry residents. It’s a fun opportunity for animal lovers of all ages. GET TICKETS
Live Music with Noah McKinney at Villa Nove
If your idea of a perfect Saturday evening includes live music and mountain views, Villa Nove has you covered, Local musician Noah McKinney will be picking and singing at the vineyard beginning at 5 PM.
Spend the afternoon meeting the farm animals, then stick around for music and an evening overlooking the beautiful Appalachian High Country.
Cruise-In, Food & a Movie
Ralph Stout Park becomes the place to be again Saturday evening.
The weekly Mountain City Cruise-In runs from 5–9 p.m., weather permitting, welcoming all makes and models.
Beginning at 5 p.m., Mountain City Parks & Recreation will also host Movies in the Park, with a car-themed evening featuring food, music, cornhole and other activities before a free showing of Disney-Pixar’s Cars at sundown.
Bring your lawn chairs and settle in for an easy family night under the stars.
A Little Beatles Magic at Heritage Hall
If live music is more your speed, The WannaBeatles take the Heritage Hall Theatre stage Saturday at 7 p.m.
It’s a different kind of Beatles experience that combines great Beatles classics with hilarious antics! These talented musicians thoroughly enjoy what they do and you will too!
$30 advance and $35 at the door – youth $10
Support the Imagination Library on Dolly Day -9/25!
Keep an eye out this weekend for the Johnson County Imagination Library raffle, with tickets priced at $1. Proceeds help put books into the hands of Johnson County’s youngest readers. See flyer below!
Or Just Get Outside
No special event required.
Doe Mountain Recreation Area offers miles of trails and mountain scenery for anyone who would rather spend the weekend outdoors. And downtown Mountain City makes an easy afternoon outing with the Arts Center, Music Mural Mile, local shops and restaurants all within walking distance.
And one more calendar reminder: the Mountain City Fiddlers’ Convention returns October 2–3, kicking off the historic event’s second century of old-time and bluegrass music.
Know of something we missed? The Johnson County Line wants to help residents find things happening across the county each week. Send us your upcoming community events so we can add them to future weekend roundups.
