PARENTING SWEET OCTOBER 2023

Welcome to Parenting Sweet! Parenting Sweet is a resource for parents and caregivers, featuring all the great opportunities in our region that make parenting sweet!

This issue features spook-tacular Halloween activities, autumn festivities, fall break camps, upcoming parenting opportunities, and more!

Appalachian Promise Alliance is Making Parenting Sweet

We have tips, information, practices, and parenting classes, sessions, workshops, support groups, seasoned educators, and friendships that can help lighten some of your load and make parenting easier. Wish you had an extra hand? A little help? A hack that makes things a little easier? Wondering if doing something different would help? Check out the Parenting Educator Network opportunities below in the October 2023 Highlights.

Monthly Fun Poll

How do you celebrate Halloween?

Parenting Sweet helps us keep our five promises of caring adults, safe places, a healthy start, effective education, and opportunities to serve.

Trick or Treat On The Street

Saturday, October 28th from 12PM – 2PM

Downtown Kingsport, Broad Street, Kingsport, TN 37660

Kick-off Halloween with Trick or Treating in Downtown Kingsport! Merchants will hand out candy throughout downtown from 12PM – 2PM. Crafts and treats with Kingsport Public Library at Glen Bruce Park 12PM – 2PM. Howl-o-ween Dog Costume Contest with PEAK at Centennial Park at 1PM.

Pumpkin Palooza & State Street Trick-or-Treat

Oct 28, 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM

Downtown Bristol, 810 State St, Bristol, TN 37620, USA

Hosted by Bristol Tennessee Parks & Recreation Department and Believe in Bristol — there will be treat bags for kids to take home with a pumpkin to decorate (while supplies last).

The fun continues as downtown merchants are open for trick-or-treating at various shops along State Street from 10AM until 1PM or until the candy runs out.

In addition to the ongoing traditions, there will be a new tradition starting this year, a Halloween parade. The parade will start at 6:30PM. The parade route will begin at the municipal lot in front of Bristol, Tennessee City Hall (801 Anderson Street) and will conclude at the intersection of State Street and Lee Street/5th Street. That route is approximately 0.5 miles.

Trick-Tour-Treat

Tuesday, October 31 from 3PM – 5PM

Johnson City Public Library

Join the second annual Trick-Tour-Treat for candy and fun! Dress up and enjoy a full tour of the Library’s departments (complete with treats), then vote for your favorite department’s decorations. No registration required.

Pharoahs Car Club Trunk-or-Treat

October 29th, 2023 from 4PM – 8PM

For $10 or a donation of 5 nonperishable canned goods, you and your family can enjoy the Pharoahs Car Club Trunk-or-Treat in Southwest Virginia! A food truck, door prizes, and trophies will all be available during the event.

Super Spooky Saturday

Saturday, October 28th, 2023 from 4PM to 7PM

Freedom Hall

Mark your calendars for the 2023 Super Spooky Saturday! Walk along the treat trail, collect candy at the ghostly games, and check out the Haunted Hallways if you dare!

Porsche Club Trunk or Treat

Saturday, October 28th, 2023 at 12PM-2PM in Downtown Kingsport

Boos and ghouls are invited to wind their way through our Trunk-or-Treat! Bring the kids for a Spooktacular Trunk-or-Treat with sport cars! There will also costume contests for adults and children! The prize? A ride on a Porsche! The event will be part of Kingsport’s Downtown Halloween events.

Porsches are asked to arrive at 11:45AM (or sooner) to setup the display.

Downtown Elizabethton Trick-or-Treat

Tuesday, October 31, 2023 at 3:30PM – 5:30PM

Celebrate Halloween by trick-or-treating in Downtown Elizabethton! Downtown merchants, civic clubs, and other organizations will hand out candy throughout downtown.

Johnson City Trick-or-Treat

Downtown Johnson City

Tuesday, October 31st, 2023 from 4PM to 8PM

Be prepared for the second annual Downtown Halloween Trick or Treat! Many businesses downtown will be here for you and your kiddos again! Last year was OUTSTANDING!! Let’s make this year even bigger!

Little Daydreamers Mini Pumpkin Party

Halloween from 11AM – 12:30PM

The Mini Pumpkin Party is planned especially for littles 5 and under. They will paint mini pumpkins, have fun with sensory bins, and play in the play room! There will also be Halloween treats. Costumes are encouraged. Two adults are included with one child’s ticket for this event.

Little Daydreamers Halloween Party

October 14th from 5PM to 7PM

Pizza dinner will be served to everyone in your family and decorating festive cupcakes for dessert. After dessert, children will enjoy coloring their own Halloween treat bag and filling it up at the treat bag filling station! There will also be spooky games and of course – play time! Don’t forget to wear a costume! For a dinner headcount, each person attending will need to purchase a ticket – even adults. Please type in the notes section how many children are in your party.

Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office Trunk or Treat

Tuesday, October 31, 2023, 5PM – 8PM

Old Blountville Middle School Campus (1651 Blountville Blvd., Blountville, TN 37617)

Join this family-friendly event with the Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office!

Stories from the Pumpkin Patch at Tipton-Haynes State Historic Site

Saturday, October 14, 2023 at 3PM – 8PM

Tipton-Haynes State Historic Site (2620 South Roan Street Johnson City, TN 37601)

Enjoy a family friendly evening with fun crafts and great stories. Halloween crafts for kids will be offered during daylight hours. Story tellers will be within the mid-1800s barn. Take a spooky hayride around the historic grounds.

Admission is $6 for adults and $3 for children 12 and under while members of Tipton-Haynes are FREE!

Halloween Movie in the Park

Friday, October 20th, 2023 at 6:30PM

The Covered Bridge Park

Join the City of Elizabethton Parks and Recreation for a FREE community movie (not very spooky, but altogether kooky!) to celebrate your Halloween festivities! Settle into a cozy spot on the grass with a blanket or lawn chair for a screening of the Addams Family beginning at dusk.

Dress to impress for the Halloween costume contest starting at 6:30PM or channel your inner Addams Family member and participate in the special cosplay contest. Show off your Gomez, Morticia or Wednesday (or any character of the movie!) vibes to take home top honors!

Fire Pizza and Tweetsie Trailing will be joining for concessions all night long!

Tiebreakers Halloweeks

Get Ready for a SPOOK-tacular October at Tiebreakers!

Spooky Bowling: Unleash your inner ghoul every day at 7PM starting Oct 2 through Oct 31

Sat, Oct 14, 2-4pm: Pumpkin Carving Contest. Voting is open to guests from 4PM – 6PM!

Fri, Oct 20, 5PM – 9PM: Meet & Greet with Jeremy Ray Taylor, star of the films IT and Goosebumps. Don’t miss this!

Fri, Oct 27, 6PM – 8PM: Halloween Costume Contest

Register in the lobby & snap a photo.
Winners announced after 8pm!

Sat, Oct 28: Circus Arts

Sun, Oct 29, 7-9pm: Halloween-themed Trivia. Get your team ready!

Tue, Oct 31: Roan Centre Trick or Treat 4-6pm with participating businesses.

Save the dates and let’s make this October un-boo-lievably fun!

Haunted Holiday Lanes Trunk or Treat

October 28th, 2023 at 1PM – 4PM

All ages trick or treating, with discounted bowling vouchers in goodie bags.

Roan Mountain Fall-O-Dendron Festival

October 14th, 2023 from 10AM to 5PM at Roan Mountain State Park

Come out and enjoy the fall time in the mountains with handcrafted vendors, live entertainment, food, and a fiddle competition! Parking is by donation. The festival is free of charge.

1st Annual ASD HarvestFest

Saturday, October 21, 2023 from 10AM to 2PM

Blue Mountain Therapy (17507 Lee Highway, Abingdon)

Appalachian Sustainable Development is hosting its first annual HarvestFest and admission to the festival is FREE! There will be food trucks, a vendor market, lots of kid activities, a plant sale, live music, and a RAFFLE with some really amazing prizes (like a 2-night stay at The Roost, one of Abingdon’s coolest on-farm airbnb spaces; plus a full-day guided fly-fishing trip on the Holston River).

Mr. K’s Used Books: Booktoberfest

Saturday, October 7th, 2023 from 11AM to 5PM

Mr. K’s Used Books (4 Mark Twain Ct, Johnson City, TN)

Wear your costume and join the fun at Mr. K’s Used Books! Author signings, local artists, a trivia tournament, jenga challenges, and more await you at Booktoberfest.

Fall Folk Fest on Broad

October 7th, 10AM – 3PM

Broad Street in Downtown Kingsport

There will be a variety of live music & entertainment, old fashioned pictures, a kids area with bounce houses, face painting etc, craft vendors, food trucks and food vendors.

5th Annual Holiday Haven Bazaar

Saturday, October 21st, 2023 from 9AM to 3:30PM.

Freedom Hall Civic Center

Get all of your holiday shopping done from a variety of over 130 vendors at the Annual Holiday Haven Bazaar!

Unicoi County Apple Festival

The Unicoi County Chamber of Commerce will host its 46th Annual Unicoi County Apple Festival on Friday and Saturday, Oct. 6 and 7, from 8AM to 8PM each day.

The premier two-day event offers something for everyone — handmade crafts, antiques, entertainment, a large children’s area, a Blue Ridge Pottery show and sale, contests and a smorgasbord of food!

The festival will also feature live music on two stages, a large children’s area with games and rides, and contests throughout the weekend.

Fall Craft Fair

Saturday, October 14th, 2023 from 9AM to 3PM

Come support Local Artisan | Food Trucks | Small businesses at the Fall Craft Fair!
Free Parking, Free Admission, & Door Prizes
Located at Bloomingdale Baptist Church
Activity Center & Parking Lot
3220 Bloomingdale Road
Kingsport, TN 37660

Rocky Mount Harvest Festival

Come experience 18th century life at its finest with demos onsite that will include blacksmithing, fireplace cooking, apple butter making, apple cider pressing, and much more.

Local vendors and craft artisans will be gathered with live music, food trucks, and more. There will also be toys, sack races, corn hole, and other 18th century games that will be available for all ages. Crafts, including pumpkin painting, Halloween decoration painting, corn shuck dolls, and candle making will be offered for an additional fee.

Don’t miss out on this unique opportunity to learn about harvest traditions and sample delicious cider!

Heritage Festival

Saturday October 21, from 9 am – 4 pm.

3425 Highway 126, Blountville, TN 37617

Craft Vendors, Live Music, Food Trucks, The Historic Deery Inn will be open for Tours (Donations Accepted), The Deery Inn Grounds will feature Old Fashion Games, Pumpkin Painting, Children will have an opportunity to make Cornhusk Dolls (Sullivan County Historic Preservation Association Featured Partner).

Fall Carnival

Euclid Avenue Baptist Church

Saturday, October 7th, 2023 at 4PM – 6PM

It’s the Fall Carnival, and they’re celebrating in a big way – carnival games, prizes, a food truck, a bounce house, and more! Admission is free, and everyone is invited to a fun afternoon.

Family Playtime

The Children’s Resource Center is reaching out to the community. Join them for Family Playtime at your local library!

Fall Break Camps

Appalachian Stars Gymnastics Fall Break Camps

Fall break is coming and unfortunately parents don’t get to take off work. Appalachian Stars Gymnastics is a great choice for your kids this fall break!

iCode Fall Break Camps

Fall Break Camps are now enrolling! We will be hosting various 1-day camps across the Tri-Cities during Fall Breaks! Check out the list below and register today to secure your spot!

Monday, October 2nd at St. Dominic

Wednesday, October 4th at JC Parks & Recreation*

Tuesday, October 10th at The Altar

Wednesday, October 11th at JC Parks & Recreation*

Friday, October 13th at Ashley Academy

iCode Tri-Cities Jr. Creator

Calling all campers interested in coding! This one-day camp will teach campers the fundamentals of hardware and software manipulation by building circuits to ultimately develop games that will be played with and by other students.

Washington County TN Fall Break Camp

Registration for Washington County Fall Break Camp is OPEN! During camp, kids will enjoy sports, arts and crafts, movies, games, and swimming. Early drop off and late pick up are available for an additional fee. Register by September 28 by visiting https://loom.ly/C1XBYu0 . For more information, call 423-434-5722.

Inclusive Kickball Night

The A.S.P.I.R.E. series of programs will continue with an inclusive kickball night on October 6 at Kingsport’s Miracle Field Park! This FREE event is sure to be a lot of fun for all.

Building with the Lions

Families are invited to drop by the Jones Meeting Center at the Johnson City Public Library the second Saturday of every month between 10:30AM – 12PM for Building with the Lions. You can build creations using LEGO blocks and other construction materials. Your creations will be displayed in the Children’s Library. This program is facilitated by the Johnson City Lions Club.

Roller Skating Classes

Bristol Skateway and the Johnson City Family Skate Center will be holding roller skate classes this fall.

Cost includes skate rental and open session.

No registration required!

Sullivan County Flu Day

The Sullivan County Regional Health Department will be raising awareness of the value of the flu vaccine and providing immunizations at multiple locations on October 18th, 2023.

Lunch & Learn – Flu Vaccine

October 12th from 12PM to 1PM

Grab your lunch and join the YWCA for a virtual learning session about the flu vaccine!

Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Sullivan County

The organization is looking for mentors age 23+ to volunteer 2-3 hours for 2-3 weekends a month as part of their Community-Based Program.

Youth Mental Health First Aid

YWCA (106 State Street, Bristol, TN 37620

October 30th, 2023 at 9AM. Registration begins at 8:30AM.

Learn how to support the young people in your life with guidance from the National Council for Mental Wellbeing. The course teaches you how to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental health and substance challenges among adolescents ages 12 to 18.

Dress Up Storytime for Littles

Dates: Sept 9, 16, 30; Oct. 21, 28; and Nov. 4, 11, 18!, 10-11 a.m. each time

Location: RISE: Healthy for Life, 2700 S Roan St #300B, Johnson City, TN

Join RISE volunteers and staff for some great storybooks, songs, crafts, and snacks Saturday mornings this fall—and go home with the book we read! Affirmation to families, to self, to dreaming big, RISE storytime is all about empowering our littles. Dress-up storytime is perfect for kids about 2-6 years old. Older and younger siblings and friends are welcome as well. Adults must remain with the kids they bring.

Nurturing Parenting Sessions

Boys & Girls Club of Johnson City/Washington County are offering free sessions on the ABC’s of Parenting for caregivers, providing food and matching sessions/childcare for school-aged children.

Please call 423-461-4560 to register.

Fire Prevention Tour

The Kingsport Fire Department will be hosting the two Fire Prevention Month Homeschool Fire Station Tours for Fire Prevention Month 2023 at Kingsport Fire Deportment’s Station 1, 130 Island St in downtown Kingsport.

Tour #1- 10AM Thursday, October 5th
Tour #2- 10AM Thursday, October 12th

There will be a fun Fire Safety Presentation with Sparky the Fire Dog, a Firefighter Turnout Gear Demonstration, and Fire Engine Tour.

Families wishing to participate may contact Public Education Officer Barry Brickey at brickey@kingsporttn.gov with the number of family members attending and the preferred tour date.

Teen Cooking Class – Crock Pot Chicken Fajitas

Date: Saturday,October 21st at 11:00AM

Location: Bluff City library (481 Cedar Street Bluff City, TN 37618)

This free cooking class will teach teens ages 13-17 how to safely handle food to prevent illness and to make an easy and delicious meal- Crock Pot Chicken Fajitas!

Please sign up HERE by October 14th as space is limited.

Upcoming Parenting Opportunities

Learn, question, and meet other parents and caregivers!

Free Flu Vaccinations from YWCA – October 18th, 2023 – FREE, IN PERSON
Nurturing Parenting Program – Boys & Girls Club of Johnson City/Washington County – FREE, IN PERSON
Attached at the Heart Parenting Program Thursdays at 7:30PM – FREE, ONLINE
Attached at the Heart Parenting Program Fridays at 10:30AM – FREE, ONLINE, IN PERSON
Tricities Parenting in-person meetup, Sundays at 4:30PM at the Parenting Sweet – FREE, ONLINE, IN PERSON
Prenatal Parenting Series at Ballad Health OBGYN offices and health departments – FREE, IN PERSON
Mom Power Series by Families Free – FREE, IN PERSON
AHH Babies breastfeeding in-person meetup on Fourth Tuesdays at the YWCA – FREE, IN PERSON
Family Playtime is being offered at multiple local libraries to foster strong bonds within families – FREE, IN PERSON

Visit the Parenting Sweet Program Catalog for Details and Registration or email samantha@appalachianpromise.org! Don’t see a class you need? Let us know!

Cherished Mom presents: Mama-U

Join Mama-U and learn about maternal mental health. Plus, get rewarded with a coupon book filled with freebies and discounts upon completion.

For more information, visit cherishedmom.org or email info@cherishedmom.org.

Art at the Library at Thomas Memorial Library

Art with Daniel at Colonial Heights Library

Non-profit Reading Challenge to Provide Appalachian Children with Books

The Appalachian Literary Initiative is holding a July ‘Reading for Literacy Challenge’ and Fundraiser to promote family reading and provide low-income children with books across Appalachia.

The Reading for Literacy Challenge is taking place in a free mobile app called FytFeed.

PLAYtime in the ARTspace is Back!

PLAYtime in the ARTspace is for ages zero to five years old or so, and those who love them! Saturdays at 10:00AM in the ARTspace Theatre at 506 State Street, Bristol, TN.

PLAYtime in the ARTspace entertains and educates with favorite songs, skits, rhymes and more. Parents have the chance to connect with each other, enjoy free coffee and bagels, and discover great parenting resources from around the region. $5 per family or as able to pay. Doors open at 10:00 AM, program begins at 10:15 AM.

Be sure to check the PLAYtime calendar for PLAYtime dates and follow our social media accounts. Sponsored by Theatre Bristol, Bristol Bagel and Bakery, & Appalachian Promise Alliance, and the Tennessee Arts Commission.

Are you a grandparent?

INTRODUCING GRAND CONNECTIONS

Grandparent Workshop Series Bristol’s Promise will be offering a workshop series just for grandparents of children ages birth to five! Why? We love our grandparents! Whether you are “sharing the care” or a custodial grandparent, we recognize the vital importance of grandparents. If you or someone you know may be interested in learning more about this program, please submit your information here. Questions? Email Lily Royston (lily@appalachianpromise.org). Click to learn more!

Free Reading Resources

Governor’s Early Literacy Foundation is partnering with the Tennessee Department of Education to provide at-home reading resources for free to all Tennessee families of K–2 children to help young learners become stronger readers. Based on your child’s grade level, they will receive the At-Home Decodable Book Series, a collection of seven booklets containing 20+ exciting stories full of sounds and words to practice, and age-appropriate, high-quality Scholastic books. Click here to order your kit.

Parent Educator Network

The Appalachian Promise Alliance’s Parenting Network meets the third Thursday of each month at noon and works to support parenting education in our community by sharing efforts, communicating the value and importance of parenting education, and learning more about how we can better serve families. If you are interested in helping teach classes, mentor parents, or have parenting educator updates to share, please contact us!

The Wellness Center of Kingsport still has spots available in their swim classes! Anyone can learn to swim at The Wellness Center – no matter the age or skill level.

Group Swim Lessons: Children ages 3-12 | Mondays and Wednesdays, 4:30-5:30 pm
Parent & Child Safety Swim Sessions: For ages 6 months to 36 months and a guardian | Saturdays, 9-9:45 am
Preschool Group Swim Lessons: Ages 3-5 | Tuesdays and Thursdays, 1-2 pm
Private Swim Lessons: All ages, adults included | upon availability

Fill out this form to sign up or request more information.

Babywearing Library and Coaching

ParentingSweet@AppalachianPromise.org

Attached at the Heart Parenting Program

Weekly free sessions

Prime Your Parenting with resources from Appalachian Promise Alliance

Series, groups, training and more!

Library, handouts, babycarriers, coaching, and consulting!

Coffee & Conversation for Grandfamilies

Support
Information
Resources

1st Monday each month at 10:00 AM
Memorial Park Community Center
Johnson City

Looking for information or support?

Bristol’s Promise Parenting Education Network Programs Find a program that fits your needs! Click to search for free or low cost, morning or evening, online or in-person, first-time or veteran parent/caregiver, and more

Visit www.BristolsPromise.org to learn more about: The Parenting Education Network, Bristol Family Resource Center, YWCA MOMS R US, Mom Power, Hope House, Frontier Health, Highlands Community Services, Breastfeeding Essentials, Ahh Babies – Appalachian Highlands Healthy Babies – La Leche League Breastfeeding Support, Cherished Mom, Attached at the Heart Classes, Twin City Reads, Buckle Up for Life, Doula by Donation, Sullivan County Family Services, Parenting Sweet, Tricities Parenting, Tricities Babywearing, High Country Doulas, ETSU Family Physicians, Bethany Services, TriCities Babywearing TN, Sullivan County Health Department, Strong Starts, TN Voices, and more.

Parenting Sweet is here to help make parenting sweet!

Parents get connected to support and information because learning about parenting and getting support does make a difference. If you would you like to continue receiving Parenting Sweet, you’ll need to be sure to sign up on the website. If you know a parent, caregiver, grandparent, or anyone who cares about children, share the sign-up link with them and help them find all that’s great for children and families in our community. Past issues and all the events are available anytime on the AppalachianPromise.org Blog.

Support for this program is provided by Ballad Population Health Community Health Initiative and Bristol Public Housing. Parenting Sweet Team: Samantha Gray, Lily Royston, Susan Turner, Emily Macbeth, Katherine Wilson-Thompson, Melissa Roberts, and Margaret Feierabend. Have information to share? Submit it to parentingsweet@bristolspromise.org.

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