The curtain rises on a milestone weekend for Johnson County Community Theatre as it opens Once Upon a Mattress at Heritage Hall—and celebrates 40 years of bringing community theatre to Johnson County.
The Johnson County Line has another reason to celebrate: JCL’s own Dan Cullinane plays King Sextimus the Silent! This is a great play for the whole family! Get ready for a lot of deep belly laughs.
Beyond the theatre, the weekend offers fall foliage walks, photography and pottery classes, LEGO building, lifesaving skills and a sweet pairing of wine and artisan chocolate.
Here’s what’s happening Around the County from Thursday, Oct. 15, through Sunday, Oct. 18.
Thursday, October 15
Autumn Leaves Educational Walk & Talk
1–3 p.m.
Mountain City/Johnson County Community Center
214 College Street, Mountain City
Certified Tennessee Naturalist Jen Skarsuane will lead a guided fall walk exploring leaf colors, why leaves change and the natural beauty of the season.
Kids are welcome, and participants can enjoy hot cider, tea or cocoa following the walk.
Preregistration is not required but is helpful. Call 423-727-2942 to sign up.
Friday, October 16
LEGO Club
Noon–1:30 p.m.
Mountain City/Johnson County Community Center
214 College Street, Mountain City
The rescheduled LEGO Club invites children ages 6–11 to enjoy themed activities and LEGO-building fun.
Snacks will be provided, and parents and caregivers are welcome to participate.
Longhorn Football Former Players & Coaches Reunion
5–7 p.m.
Former Johnson County Longhorn football players and coaches are invited to reconnect, share memories and enjoy light refreshments.
Check the Johnson County community calendar for updated location information or additional details.
Opening Night: Once Upon a Mattress
7 p.m.
Heritage Hall Theatre
211 N. Church Street, Mountain City
Johnson County Community Theatre opens Once Upon a Mattress as it celebrates its 40th anniversary of bringing live community theatre to Johnson County.
The musical comedy is based on the classic fairy tale The Princess and the Pea. When Queen Aggravain declares that no one in the kingdom can marry until Prince Dauntless finds a suitable bride, frustration, romance and plenty of royal chaos follow.
Watch for The Johnson County Line’s own Dan Cullinane as King Sextimus the Silent—a king who may not have any lines, but still has plenty to say!
Tickets are $15 in advance, $20 at the door and $5 for youth.
Saturday, October 17
Johnson County Farmers Market
9 a.m.–Noon
Ralph Stout Park, Mountain City
Start Saturday morning by shopping for locally grown produce, baked goods, handcrafted items and other products from area farmers and makers.
Heartsaver CPR, AED & Basic First Aid Certification Class
9 a.m.–Noon
Mountain City/Johnson County Community Center
214 College Street, Mountain City
Instructor Brad Gentry will lead an American Heart Association Heartsaver certification class covering CPR, AED use and basic first aid.
The class fee is $65, and only 10 spaces are available. Preregistration and payment are required.
Register at the Community Center with cash or a check made payable to Brad Gentry. Call 423-727-2942 for more information.
Fall Leaf Walk at Doe Mountain
10–11 a.m.
Doe Mountain Recreation Area
Take in the changing colors of the season during a guided Leaf Walk at Doe Mountain.
Participants should check the official event listing for meeting instructions and any registration requirements. Visit DMRA.gov/events for details.
Beyond Auto: Advanced Photography Skills with Chris Durney
11 a.m.
Gallery on Main Classroom
129 W. Main Street, Mountain City
Photographer Chris Durney leads the first session of a two-part intermediate-to-advanced photography class designed to help participants move beyond automatic camera settings.
The course will explore digital camera functions, lenses, manual controls, exposure, depth of field, composition, lighting and developing a more intentional artistic approach.
Participants should bring a DSLR or mirrorless camera with manual controls. The second session will be held Saturday, Oct. 24.
Registration is $135 for the two-session course. Register through the Johnson County Center for the Arts classes page.
Explore the Town That Wouldn’t Drown
11 a.m.–4 p.m.
Museum of Butler
123 Selma Curtis Road, Butler
Explore the story of Old Butler and the families whose town was relocated before the creation of Watauga Lake.
Exhibits include the history museum, W.S. Stout General Store, American Veterans Memorial Walk and the new America 250 digital exhibit.
Admission is $5, and children under 12 are admitted free. Parking is free.
Centering Saturdays with Tara Belk
1–4 p.m.
Johnson County Center for the Arts Education Center
127 College Street, Mountain City
Slow down, work with your hands and reconnect through creativity during this relaxing clay series with artist Tara Belk.
The class is open to ages 16 through adult, and no previous clay experience is necessary. Single-class, senior and multi-class registration options are available.
Scholarships are also available by using coupon code ARTFORALL at checkout.
Register through the Center for the Arts.
Sips & Sweets Guided Tasting
4 p.m.
Villa Nove Farm & Vineyard
1877 Dry Hill Road, Butler
Villa Nove Farm & Vineyard and Paris Mountain Sweets come together for an intimate guided pairing experience featuring five curated wine tastings and five handcrafted artisan truffles.
Tickets are $45 per person.
Mountain City Weekly Cruise-In
5–9 p.m.
Downtown Mountain City
Cars, food and an evening downtown are on tap for the Mountain City Weekly Cruise-In. All makes and models are welcome.
The cruise-in is held weather permitting.
Once Upon a Mattress
7 p.m.
Heritage Hall Theatre
211 N. Church Street, Mountain City
Johnson County Community Theatre returns for its second performance of opening weekend—and another opportunity to see JCL’s Dan Cullinane as King Sextimus the Silent.
The production is part of the theatre’s 40th-anniversary celebration.
Tickets are $15 in advance, $20 at the door and $5 for youth.
Sunday, October 18
Explore the Town That Wouldn’t Drown
1–4 p.m.
Museum of Butler
123 Selma Curtis Road, Butler
Experience the history of Old Butler and discover how the community was moved to higher ground before Watauga Lake covered the original town.
Admission is $5, and children under 12 are admitted free.
Sunday Matinee: Once Upon a Mattress
3 p.m.
Heritage Hall Theatre
211 N. Church Street, Mountain City
Finish the weekend with the Sunday matinee of Johnson County Community Theatre’s musical comedy Once Upon a Mattress.
Come support the local cast, celebrate four decades of Johnson County Community Theatre and see whether our own Dan Cullinane can rule the kingdom without saying a word!
Tickets are $15 in advance, $20 at the door and $5 for youth.
Additional performances are scheduled for Friday and Saturday, Oct. 23–24.
Whether you want to enjoy the fall colors, learn a new skill, support local theatre, explore our history or simply spend time with friends and neighbors, there are plenty of reasons to get out and enjoy Johnson County this weekend.
Schedules and availability may change, so check with event organizers before heading out.
Know of something we missed? Send your upcoming Johnson County event to The Johnson County Line for consideration in a future Around the County roundup.
