Spend time in Roane County, Tennessee on magnificent Watts Bar Lake...

Ghosts and Goblins and Bluegrass - Oh My!

2010-10-08T11:59:00.000-04:00

This weekend in Roane County should prove to be an exciting weekend, complete with ghost tours and Bluegrass music!

The Haunting of Harriman

Friday and Saturday

October 8 & 9, 8 pm

$10 advance tickets are recommended and can be purchased online at CornstalkHeights.com or in several Harriman retail shops [a complete list].

This guided walking ghost tour through the Cornstalk Heights Historic District in Harriman has always been full of strange happenings and ghostly tales. Last year's tour included: visits to magnificent historic homes known for their ghosts; stories of actual known encounters including the "watchman"; and homeowners' first-hand accounts of their own ghostly experiences. The tour will begin and end at the Temperance Building with the last tour being inside the Temperance Building, which is widely known for its haunts.

For more information about this and other events visit the Roane County Visitor's Bureau

Bradbury's Bluegrass Band Appreciation Day

Sunday, October 10, noon until the music stops (approx 6 pm)

Bluegrass musicians are welcome to come and play for free while the listeners (also called ‘Grinners') get in free if they bring a covered dish to share. There will be lots of great food and foot-stompin' fun, and probably even some clogging going on. Bradbury Community Club is located in an historic school house at 3343 Buttermilk Road, Kingston.

The Babahatchie Community Band

Sunday, October 10, 3 pm

Free concert at Harriman's Riverfront Park

Weekend Roane Festivals

2010-10-05T10:24:00.000-04:00

Both the Rockwood Fall Festival and the Kingston Country Fair Festival were held on Saturday. Great weather and good music at each! Besides lots of locals attending, there were many from out of town and state. Its very easy to enjoy Roane County!

Fun Things To Do This Weekend

2010-07-16T15:48:00.000-04:00

There is quite alot going on in Roane County this weekend - hope to see you there!

Yonder Hollow Productions has a Live Bluegrass Music Show every Friday Night in the style of O, Brother Where Art Thou. It is like a step back in time when you enter this 1896 grand building filled with old radios, quilts, and antiques. This is the way bluegrass and mountain music was meant to be played, and heard! There will be pickin' and jammin' everywhere so come out for some foot-stompin' fun. Cloggers are also welcome. $5 admission for the show, $2 for pickers. New bands are always welcome. Doors open at 5:30 - music show starts at 6:30. Broadcast live every Friday on WYHM 580am.

Kingston City Park Pavilion Benefit, Saturday, July 17 - enjoy music, food and fun from 7 - 10 pm! There will be something for everyone - line dancing, Texas 2 Step, and a little rock and roll. You can dance, or just enjoy the music from your lawn chair. Kingston Fire Department and Kingston Police Department plus volunteers will be selling food and drinks.

Movies in the Park, Saturday, July 17 - after sundown at Kingston City Park (Bryd Field) see Kenny Chesney's Summer in 3D. Come by boat or by land - but plan to have a good time! Concessions are available. Sponsored by Kingston Parks & Rec & Blue Springs Pontoon Boat Co. For more information call 865-376-1356.

Creative Arts Co-op Visual & Performing Arts Center presents Dearly Beloved, We are Gathered...To Solve a Murder? An interactive 'whodunnit' live drama will be performed at their new location at 426 Ruritan Road in Harriman this Saturday night (17th) and next Saturday night (24th), 8 pm. Tickets are $20.00 and includes a fabulous dessert bar. For Reservations call the Creative Arts Co-op at 865-765-1129 or visit http://creativeartsco-op.com/

Roane State Expo Center, now through Sunday, is hosting the East Coast Reined Cowhorse Classic in both Arenas. For more information contact Paul Bailey 930-260-3909

And don't forget the Harriman & Rockwood Farmer's Markets are now in full swing on Saturdays. Harriman's is held at the Riverfront Park from 8 am - 12 pm and Rockwood's is held at 200 S. Gateway (caboose) from 8 am - 5 pm.

Roane County Park's Summer Fest a Total Splash!

2010-06-09T16:05:00.007-04:00

For more information visit their website at:

http://roanecountypark.com/

'Save The Expo' Open House is this Friday!

2010-06-09T14:31:00.004-04:00

'Save the Expo'

Open House

Friday, June 11

7:30 - 10:30 am

Everyone is Welcome!

Continental Breakfast

Escorted Facility Tours

Door Prizes

Dogwood Classic Horse Show

Come out and see what the Expo is all about and show your support! Hear from the experts about the Expo Center, watch the TN Quarter Horse Association’s Dogwood Classic Horse Show, take an escorted tour of the facilities, and more.

Feel free to stay for the horse show (it runs untill 8 pm) and join TQHA for their BBQ Fundraiser Dinner at 6 pm. To learn more about the Expo Center, including a calendar of events call Diane at 865-882-4590 or visit www.roanestate.edu/expocenter.

Save the Expo Open House Friday June 11

2010-06-03T13:37:00.006-04:00

Come out next Friday to the "Save the Expo" Open House at the Henry/ Stafford East Tennessee Exposition Center located on the Roane State Community College(RSCC)campus in Harriman.

There has been serious concern over the possible shutting down of the Expo Center due to RSCC budget cuts. Thankfully it was spared this year but there is still concern for next year. The Expo Center is very important to Roane County's economy, bringing in an estimated $6M to our county in retail sales, restaurant sales, and hotel stays. Diane Cox at the Expo Center estimates that 22,000 people came through the Expo Center last year, visiting from not only the surrounding states but as far away as California and Canada. It is the busiest arena in the state, hosting one event almost every weekend - and sometimes two. These events range from dog agility shows to rodeos to tractor pulls to barrell racing to horse riding, and most are free to the public and fun for the entire family.

So be sure and come out Friday, June 11 and show your support! We want people to come out and see for themselves what the Expo is all about and why it so important that it remains open for years to come! A reception will be held in the lobby from 7:30 - 10:30 am that will include a continental breakfast, escorted facility tours, door prizes, and special guest speakers to talk about how important the Expo Center is to them and to our community.

Want other ways to help support the Expo Center? Why not 'Adopt-A-Chair' - through this program you dedicate a seat to a friend or family member, organization, or business. For $100 you choose the seat you would like to adopt and a plaque (about the size of a business card) will be attached to the seat. Need more information? Call Diane Cox at 865-882-4590 or email her at www.coxdm@roanestate.edu.

Henry/Stafford East TN Agricultural Exposition Center
276 Patton Lane, Harriman, TN 37748
865-882-4590

Directions:
1.Take I-40 to exit #347 (Harriman/Rockwood).
2.Turn left at light onto Highway 27; travel approximately 2 miles.
3.Turn left at traffic light (Patton Lane).
4.Travel for approximately 1 mile; the Expo Center is on your right.

The Bass Federation is in Roane County This Week!

2010-04-19T16:22:00.000-04:00

Roane County welcomes The Bass Federation (TBF) anglers and their families. In town this week for their 2010 National Championship held on Watts Bar Lake, we wish all of them our best. The anglers have fished hard for nearly two years just to get here so we know this is an exciting time.

For early risers they will launch Thursday - Saturday at first safe light, complete with a National Anthem. Come out and give them a big send-off. The local weigh-ins will be held at 3 pm at Ladd Park in Kingston this Thursday & Friday and the final weigh-in will be held at 3 pm at the Civic Coliseum in Knoxville.

A Family Fun Zone will also be held on Friday night and Saturday at the Civic Coliseum. Open to the entire community, there should be lots of fun things to do for the entire family, especially fishing-related. Hope to see you there!

Thunder Road Festival in Downtown Rockwood April 17

2010-04-09T16:03:00.000-04:00

Rockwood's Annual Thunder Road Festival will be held in downtown Rockwood on Saturday, April 17 from 10 am - 6 pm. Just some of the fun activities will be classic car shows, crafters, cake baking contest, pageants and live entertainment.

Performing live will be Amy Duggar from the hit TV show 19 Kids and Counting; James Garrett, a Branson, MO entertainer; Nashville singer-songwriter Russ Roberts; CJ Hall from Pigeon Forge Theaters; and Roane County's own Thunder Road Band. Other special guests will be performing during the day, as well as some pickin' and grinnin' that musicians can even get in on - Thunder Road Jam Session at 6 pm at Homecoming Park's gazebo.

The pageants should be a lot of fun so come out, or better yet, enter for Itty Bitty Hillbilly, Lil' Miss Daisy & Mr. Doodyville, Miss Ellie-May, and Ms Belle & Hard Headed Hillbilly

Other events going on during Thunder Road:

The historic Tennessee Highway Patrol Station will be open during the festival

8pm Movie in the park - Thunder Road, starring Robert Mitchum

For more information visit Roane County Visitor's Bureau website at

http://www.roanetourism.com/

Mike's Smokehouse in Rockwood Wins Best Barbecue on WBIR

2010-04-07T15:18:00.015-04:00

Great job & congrats to Mike's Smokehouse! Best BBQ around according to WBIR viewers. Check out the video - skip to 2:41 to see Mike's interview.

2010 Bass Federation National Championship on Watts Bar Lake April 22-24

2010-04-02T14:32:00.001-04:00

The Bass Federation’s 2010 National Championship will be on Watts Bar Lake in Kingston later this month and will be streamed live on ESPN.com. There will also be a two-hour special later this summer featured on another major sports tv channel.

“This is a great opportunity to show the world that not only is Roane County still as beautiful and hospitable as ever but that it is a great place to bring your family, especially for outdoor recreation and world-class fishing,” says Pam May, Manager of Tourism & Marketing for The Roane Alliance.

In addition to the live stream of the tournament on ESPN.com, the Versus channel (formerly the Outdoor Life Network) -- which is seen in more than 73 million homes -- will be filming for a two-hour special featuring the tournament and Roane County to be shown this summer.

“We are excited to have The Bass Federation National Championship in Kingston,” says Rick Ross, Director of Kingston Parks and Recreation. “Our city has seen some tough times as of late and it is great we can welcome these anglers in here to show off all Kingston has to offer.”

The tournament will be bringing teams of the nation’s top championship-level fishermen to Kingston Watts Bar Lake for the tournament which is being held April 22-24. The Bass Federation (TBF), the oldest and largest grassroots angling organization in America, has wanted to bring their tournament to Watts Bar Lake for quite some time, according to the Federation’s President, Robert Cartlidge. “Watts Bar Lake and the Kingston area are great family destinations with many things to do and see,” says Cartlidge. “The TVA has done a lot of hard work to make sure Watts Bar Lake is in great shape. The fishing is as good as it’s ever been there, and it should prove to be a great venue to test the mettle of our anglers.”

Two anglers from every state except Alaska and Hawaii will be competing for the top honor that includes cash and prizes totaling more than $250,000. One boater and one angler from each state, having fished for nearly two years to get to this championship tournament, will team up and represent their state. All teams will compete on Thursday and Friday, with the top seven teams competing on Saturday.

Roane County is encouraging everyone to come out to watch the weigh-ins, to be held each day at 3 pm. On Thursday and Friday the weigh-ins will be held in Kingston at Ladd Park and on Saturday the final weigh-in will be held in Knoxville at the Civic Coliseum. In addition to the exciting final weigh-in, a ‘Fun Zone’ for the entire family is planned during Saturday at the coliseum. For early-risers, the boats will be launching each morning beginning at first safe light from Ladd Park in Kingston, complete with a National Anthem send-off, sung by Melissa Bailey, from Roane County.

In addition to the nearly 100 anglers and their families, each state will also be sending their federation president, state conservation director, and youth director. The federation will also bring their own press and production staff. 300 people are expected to stay, eat and shop in the county the entire week of the tournament so the economic impact to Kingston and the entire county will be significant. In fact, the tournament has already made an impact - anglers have already been arriving to ‘pre-fish’ and get a leg-up on their competition. The estimated economic impact is in the millions.

For more information about the tournament and about Roane County visit the Visitor Bureau’s website at www.roanetourism.com or call 1-800-FUN-IN-TN.

The Visitor’s Bureau also invites anyone interested in keeping up with all the events in Roane County, including the date for the two-hour special when announced, to follow us on any of our social sites. Links to the tourism’s Facebook page, Twitter, and more, can be found on the tourism website’s home page. The Roane County Visitor’s Bureau is located at 1209 N. Kentucky Street, Kingston, TN 37763 and is open Monday – Friday from 8 am – 5 pm.

The Roane Alliance is Roane County's economic development organization and consists of both public and private organizations, including the Roane County Chamber of Commerce, the Roane County Industrial Development Board and the Roane County Visitors Bureau. The Roane Alliance’s web site is: www.roanealliance.org

Cornstalk Heights, Harriman, TN Voted Best Old House Neighborhoods 2010

2010-02-19T14:18:00.005-05:00

Cornstalk Heights in Harriman has been featured in "This Old House" magazine, March issue on stands now, and available for viewing online. Voted Best Old House Neighborhood 2010 for Tennessee (they only choose one per state) Cornstalk Heights and the Cornstalk Height Historic District Organization has made Roane County and especially Harriman very proud. I know many of you and I know how hard you work to have a a great neighborhood. Congratulations Cornstalk Heights!

"This Old House" featuring Cornstalk Heights Historic District

New Outdoor Kiosk at Roane County Visitor's Bureau

2010-02-19T09:48:00.011-05:00

The Roane Alliance celebrated with county officials and residents today by cutting a ribbon and officially opening the new visitor kiosk built in front of The Roane Alliance office, where the Roane County Visitor’s Bureau is housed.

Roane County visitors can now get information any time - day or night – by visiting the new outdoor, sheltered and lit pavilion. The cost of the construction of the information kiosk was covered by a $10,000 donation from the Tennessee Valley Authority given to the Roane County Government.

The Alliance is very excited about this kiosk,” Pam May, Manager of Tourism and Marketing for The Roane Alliance, said. “Roane County has so much to offer, and now we can provide tourists with important county information to ensure they don’t miss a thing while here.”

“It is wonderful to have access to information about our wonderful county available all the time,” Roane County Executive Mike Farmer said of the project at the official opening.

County Commission Chair Troy Beets referred to the kiosk as another ‘tool’ to provide information to tourists and local residents. “We have needed this for a long time and the Visitor’s Bureau is to be commended for making this happen.”

The kiosk will also be available to area businesses and residents who may need a map or event guide after business hours. On display at the kiosk will be a county-wide street map and an attractions map, of which copies are available. In addition, Imagine the Possibilities, the Alliance’s main Roane County marketing brochure listing recreation, attractions, and bluegrass music venues will be available along with a restaurant guide, current calendar of events, a specialty shopping guide, history guide, accommodations information, and more.

The kiosk is located in front of The Roane Alliance, 1209 N. Kentucky Street in Kingston. The Alliance is Roane County's economic development organization and consists of both public and private organizations, including the Roane County Chamber of Commerce, the Roane County Industrial Development Board and the Roane County Visitors Bureau.

Roane County Visitor's Bureau Kiosk Going Up!

2010-01-14T11:28:00.001-05:00

A visitor's kiosk is being built in front of the Roane Alliance building to give visitors & locals information 24/7. Maps, event information, restaurant & shopping guides, as well as other county information will be available around the clock. Covered and well-lit, tourism brochures and maps will be available while both a county and attractions map will be displayed for visitors to view anytime. Located in front of the Roane Alliance building, where the visitor’s bureau is housed, the kiosk will provide visitors the information they need to not only get around but to also see everything Roane County has to offer in hopes they will stay longer.

Roane County is on YouTube!

2009-12-21T12:17:00.001-05:00

Check out the Roane County Visitor Bureau's YouTube link to see our videos + some of our favorites we have found. Subscribe to our channel and get notices of new videos. Have a great video of Roane County you want me to add to my favorites? Email me with the link and I will check it out - tourism@roanealliance.org.

Our latest favorite video is about Zac's Barbershop. Located in downtown Rockwood, his shop is a hometown barbershop with a retro/metro feel. Want to know what I mean? Stop in and say hi to Zac and see for yourself - oh, and tell him the Visitor's Bureau sent you.

19th Annual Historic Harriman Christmas Tour This Weekend

2009-12-11T13:53:00.015-05:00

HISTORIC HARRIMAN
CHRISTMAS TOUR

Saturday, Dec. 12, 12-6 pm

Sunday, Dec. 13, 1-6 pm

$12 Adult | $6 Children, 6-12

Tickets can be purchased at
Harriman's 'Carnegie' Library
601 Walden St. or online
cornstalkheights.com

Specific Event Times:

Harriman Music Club

Performance

Saturday at 12:30 - 2:30 pm

325 Walden Avenue

Senator Ken Yager's Open House
During the hours of the tour
Temperance Building

Come to the town that temperance built for the holidays. The Cornstalk Heights Historical Community Organization will once again host Harriman's premier community event - the Historic Harriman Christmas Tour. Held this weekend, and in its 19th year, the tour will include new additions and old favorites. This year is also the 100 year anniversary for the Carnegie Library and The Harriman Music Club. The tour will start at the library so be sure and spend some time in this wonderful historical building.

For the first time in the tour's history, the premier home will be the Stowers-Byrd/LaMance residence at 640 Pansy Hill Road. Sitting high on a hill situated on 17 acres, this home has been one of Harriman's most magnificent- looking homes from the outside. Now the public will get a chance to see it from the inside.

One of the favorite homes from previous tours - Monte Vista, the Cassell-D'Alessandro home at 514 Cumberland St. - will feature a winter wonderland setting complete with life-size mannequins.

For more information:

Cornstalk Heights Historical Community Organization
Donna Demyanovich
865-882-9230
donna@cornstalkheights.com

Roane County Visitor's Bureau

1209 N. Kentucky Street

Kingston, TN 37863

http://www.roanetourism.com/

1-800-FUN-IN-TN

Rockwood Christmas Tour of Homes this Saturday & Sunday

2009-12-02T16:22:00.015-05:00

ROCKWOOD CHRISTMAS
TOUR OF HOMES

Saturday, December 5, 1-8 pm
Sunday, December 6, 1-6 pm

Specific Event Times:

Battle of the Cannons
Saturday at 2:30 pm

at the Rockwood Sports Complex

Rockwood History Play
Saturday at 6:00 pm

at the Manning House, 132 N. Kingston Avenue

Harry T. Burn Portrayal
All day Sunday Ken Yager will portray the man who gave women the right to vote

at 121 N. Kingston Avenue all day on Sunday

Eleven Historic homes will be on display with caroling, holiday food and historic character portrayals. This year's tour includes the Battle of the Cannons, a Festival of Trees, and the home of Stephen Brown, creator and designer of Glitterville, the wondrously wacky and whimsical world where ‘Everyday is a Holiday.' Stephen will also have a holiday sale of his collection. 100 Civil War reenactors will be participating with firearms, artillery pieces, horses, and other equipment carried by soldiers of the time at some of the homes and in town each day. A History Play will also be included this year based on an event from the city's post Civil War history, where eligible bachelors were auctioned off for marriage to single southern belles.

Advance purchase of tickets is recommended. Tickets are $12 per person in advance or $15 the day of the event and can be purchased online at www.Rockwood2000.com or at Live & Let Live Drugstore, 865-354-0234. If purchasing tickets the day of the event you will need to purchase them at Live & Let Live where the tour begins, 225 W. Rockwood St. in downtown Rockwood.

For more information you can visit the Rockwood 2000 website (listed above) or call Live & Let Live Drugstore at 865-354-0234, O' Those Were The Days antique store at 865-354-9629 or Rockwood 2000 at 865-778-0510.

Be sure and see the ad in the November issue of Southern Living. Get 20% off of your stay at Whitestone Country Inn when you also purchase tickets to either this or the Historic Harriman Christmas Tour (the 2nd weekend in December).

Guinness World Record Hopscotch Course On Video!

2009-10-27T09:18:00.002-04:00

Check out this video to get an idea of how long this hopscotch course really is - three miles did not sound that bad. But until you actually drive it you have no idea. Yes, that's right - I said drive it. There is no way I could have walked this course up and down the numerous hills, much less hopped it (well I did hop to the first lamp post just to say I did it). Congrats to those that did get to the finish line - in a torential downpour - all for a good cause. We really have some amazing and generous people in Roane County!

http://community.guinnessworldrecords.com/_Longest-hopscotch-game/VIDEO/805767/7691.html

For more information about other fundraising efforts visit the website at http://www.beautifulfeetproject.com/. Don't forget to buy your very own pair of the shoes they designed especially for this project (shown at the beginning of the video). Each pair you purchase will also send two pairs of shoes to children that need them. The shoes will help children in Appalachia, many right here in our area, and in Africa.

Last Chance to Hop The World Record Hopscotch Course

2009-10-07T15:57:00.002-04:00

Roane County, TN is in the record books. That's right we will be entered into The Guinness Book of World Records for the longest hopscotch course, thanks to volunteers from the Beautiful Feet Project. On September 26 Guinness World Record representatives were on hand to certify the event. Despite the downpour, the course was completed by several people including Blake Chasteen, who also broke the record for hopping the longest course on record.

Wish you could hop on the World Record Course? Well it isn't too late - this Thursday from 4pm to 7pm come to Ladd Landing in Kingston when the course will be open one last time. Those who wanted to hop (but the rain kept them away) or those who are just now finding out about it can hop for $10 which goes to put shoes on needy children in Appalachia and in Africa. Don't miss your chance - after Thursday the World Record Hopscotch Course will be history. The encyclopedia may define hopscotch as a simple children’s game but it could not have been referring to this three-mile long course so don't miss this last chance.

The Beautiful Feet Project is the brainstorm of Eddie Chasteen, Pastor at Kingston’s Victory Baptist Church. With the help from other local churches and businesses they hope to raise awareness and money to put shoes on the feet of thousands of children - 10,000 to be exact. By teaming up with TOMS Shoes, an online retailer, they will be able to put shoes on 5,000 children in Appalachia (1,000 will go to children in our local area) and 5,000 children in Africa.

The world's longest hopscotch course is just one of many Beautiful Feet projects planned to help reach their goal. Another exciting project - Victory Baptist Church decided to design their very own TOMS shoe. It is an adorable shoe (shown in the photo above) and when purchased, will go a long way to helping them reach their goal. TOMS Shoes typically provides a pair of shoes to an impoverished child for every pair purchased. However, for the Beautiful Feet project, a deal was worked out with TOMS Shoes so that for every purchase of these specially-designed shoes ($80), two shoes will be distributed – one to Appalachia, and one to Africa. You can order your very own pair today by calling Jane Ollis, Beautiful Feet Project, at 865-388-4625.

For questions on how you can help or to learn more about this worthy cause visit www.beautifulfeetproject.org.

A Night at the Bradbury

2009-09-13T16:39:00.003-04:00

On the Tuesday night I visited Bradbury Community Club the place was packed. Musicians were tuning up their instruments in the hallways and groups were playing for anyone that would listen – even outside in the parking lot. It was a homecoming, complete with cakes and cookies, cloggers, and lots of coffee – since it will go as long as they are willing to play (though the time says 6-10pm on Tuesday nights). It is a very informal setting which allows for someone to walk around and check everything out. Many of the old classrooms were filled with bluegrass musicians tuning up to go on stage. The classrooms are large enough and have seating for fans to listen as they warm up – people moving around and coming in and out did not seem to bother these seasoned musicians. Fiddles, mandolins, guitars, banjos, and basses were played by young and old – but please, no amplified instruments or electric guitars allowed in this place. The Bradbury Community Center has been a place for musicians to gather for nearly 30 years. Want to learn how to play yourself? On Tuesday nights newcomers can get a lesson or pointers from the old-timers. The Bradbury Community Club comes alive with music every week. Jammin' sessions are held every Tuesday night from 6-10pm - the cost for entry is $1 and includes concessions. On the 3rd Saturday of each month a stage show begins at 7pm, entry fee is $2. Everyone is welcome to listen - or if you are a musician you can even join in the pickin' and grinnin'. The fees go toward the upkeep of the building. If you love authentic Bluegrass music and want some foot-stompin' fun then you definitely want to visit Bradbury Community Club. There is also a Museum complete with unusual & old instruments, photos of musicians who have passed through these doors, and anything bluegrass. Bradbury Community Club is located at 3343 Buttermilk Road, Kingston, TN. For information call the Roane County Visitor's Bureau at 865-376-4201.

Movies at the Lake

2009-06-18T13:50:00.012-04:00

Want something fun to do this summer? Take your family to the movies - by boat! During the summer you can catch a free movie on Watts Bar Lake. A movie screen is set up on the last Saturday night of the month on an island between Fort Southwest Point & Southwest Point Golf Course (south of Kingston and west of Hwy 58 where the Tennessee and Clinch Rivers meet). The movie will start just after sundown and to hear the audio you will need to tune your radio to 107.3 FM. If you are launching your boat the closest boat ramp will be the 58 Landing (located on Highway 58 south of the Hwy58/Hwy 70 intersection). Teddy Haywood of Blue Springs Boat Company sets up a temporary screen on the island shoreline and shows a free movie the last Saturday night of each month (through September). The May movie was The Great Outdoors, the June movie was Tommy Boy - the next movie? to find out more you can visit the Blue Springs Boat Co website or call Teddy or Stephanie Haywood at 865-376-1472.

2009-06-02T10:01:00.012-04:00

I just watched a funny movie trailer. Imagine my delight when I learned that it was filmed right here in Roane County! Brooks Benjamin's Boys of Summerville, a comedy about softball will be shown at 7pm at the Roane State Theatre on June 26. You won't want to miss this special 'hometown' presentation - you will surely recognize many of the buildings and locations. Tickets are $5 and will be available at the Rocky Top General Store 865- 882-8867 and the Jewelry Exchange, both in Harriman. I plan on getting tickets for this one and cannot wait.

Brooks Benjamin, producer and director of Boys of Summerville, is an award winning independent filmmaker as well as an elementary school teacher in Harriman. This 'hometown" showing of Boys of Summerville is presented by Princess Productions, in conjunction with Lycan Entertainment, and Roane State Community College. Brooks Benjamin will be on hand, along with Muse Watson, a hollywood actor, and Bill Landry, of local Heartland Series fame, to answer questions about the movie, movie production, upcoming shows, and about the progress being made on the Princess Theater restoration. This is the second of a planned entertainment series for Roane County and the surrounding area to benefit the Princess Theater restoration project.

Miss Polk Salad was crowned Saturday

2009-05-11T13:50:00.010-04:00

The rains stopped and the sun came out just in time for the 2009 Miss Polk Salad pageant on Saturday, May 9. Nineteen beautiful girls participated in the pageant and as one of the judges believe me, this was not an easy decision.

Congratulations to the winners of this year's pageant: 2009 Miss Polk Salad - Kate Barnett of Kingston, 1st Runner-up Melissa Munsey of Kingston, and 2nd Runner-up Amy Floyd of Lenoir City. Sarah Melton, Miss Polk Salad 2008, ended her reign looking stunning in a red dress. The sun was definitely shining down on these young ladies and they made Roane County and the Polk Salad Festival very proud. The Tennessee Polk Salad Festival & Pageant is held annually the 2nd Saturday of May in Harriman. The festival is held on the banks of the Emory River at David Webb Riverfront Park & Memorial so the location is perfect for a southern down-home family festival. Hope to see you there next year!

Photographer In Town This Week

2009-03-06T09:09:00.007-05:00

Brian McCord, a photographer from Nashville, is in town shooting photos for the new Roane County magazine - Images of Roane County. According to his blog he "hustles across the US and Canada shooting editorial content for travel magazines" and we are so excited to have him in our county. Want to see Roane County through his lens? Check out his blog - Brian McCord Photography. The photos taken so far are breathtaking, and it is still winter. I for one cannot wait to see more. We are so blessed to live in such a beautiful part of the country.

Welcome to the Roane County, TN visitor's blog!

2009-01-12T13:19:00.000-05:00

Hi, and welcome to the Roane County, TN visitor's blog. Here you will find all things fun to do in Roane County. Have you visited Roane County, lived here all your life, did you live here as a youngster and move away? Would you love to visit Roane County or make it your new home? If you answered yes to any of these questions then you are in the right place. This blog is dedicated to fun times in Roane County. We would love to hear about any adventures you have had but we also will give you suggestions on exciting and new things to do around here. Check in often because you won't want to miss a minute of fun!