June - August

Summer in Sullivan County

Summer is Sullivan County's most active season.

Summer is Sullivan County's most active season. Rocky Mount's Colonial Independence Day on July 4 is the anchor heritage event, an America 250 celebration of the first July 4th in the Southwest Territory. Fun Fest fills Kingsport with 10 days of community celebration in mid-July. The Sullivan County Fair brings livestock, rides, and funnel cakes to Blountville in August. Bays Mountain, Warriors' Path, Steele Creek Park, and South Holston Lake are at their outdoor best. Evening events, from Bays Mountain Star Parties to downtown Bristol concerts, take advantage of long summer days.

Hot and humid. Highs in the mid-80s to low 90s. Afternoon thunderstorms are common, plan outdoor activities for morning. Evenings cool into the 60s-70s in the mountains.

Top experiences this season

Colonial Independence Day at Rocky Mount (America 250 anchor event)
Fun Fest Kingsport, 10 days of community celebration
Sullivan County Fair at the Ag Center in Blountville
Swimming and boating at South Holston Lake and Warriors' Path
Bays Mountain Star Parties under dark mountain skies
Frontier Adventure Day Camp for kids at Rocky Mount
Birthplace of Country Music Museum concerts

Routes for summer

Self-guided route

Family Explorer Pass

Two days of adventure for the whole crew, nature, music, and discovery

2 days · 3 stops · From $89

Self-guided route

Where Tennessee Began Heritage Passport

Your self-guided passport to Sullivan County's founding story

2 days · 3 stops · From $35

Self-guided route

Farm to Table Sullivan County

Taste the terroir of northeast Tennessee, from soil to plate

1 day · 3 stops · From $75

Self-guided route

Sullivan County After Dark: Paranormal History

Ghost stories rooted in real history, Friday and Saturday evenings

1 day · 2 stops · From $45

Events this summer

Plan it

Plan a summer itinerary