Covered Bridge Days

10/15/2026

09/30/2026

Now that the weekend has passed, we want to thank everyone who made Covered Bridge Days possible this year, this is a huge event and we can't do it without the support of so many in our community.

Thank you to:
- Elizabethton Electric
- Elizabethton Street & Sanitation Department
- Elizabethton Fire Department
- Elizabethton Police Department
- Downtown Elizabethton
- All others from City of Elizabethton - Government who supported City of Elizabethton Parks and Recreation before, during, and after this event.
- Elizabethton Chamber for their hospitality and use of their space
- David Miller for a fantastic job as emcee for the weekend
- Seth Hice Creative for keeping our website and graphics looking amazing
- Maypop Media for your amazing drone shots!
- UPS Store Elizabethton and Appalachian Printing for their help with our banners and signs

- Volunteers from:
Milligan Baseball and Softball teams
Carter County Drug Prevention Coalition
Unaka Key Club
Keep Carter County Beautiful
& those who came to help with vendor setup Thursday Night

- Our event sponsors for their support in making this event a success:
DoubleTree by Hilton Johnson City for hosting our out of town band members
Carter County Bank for their support of the Youth Business Fair
Sam's Club for donating snacks and water for our volunteers
Life Care Center of Elizabethton for their help in advertising the event

- 9-5: A Dolly Parton Tribute prize sponsors & hosts:
Elizabethton/Carter County Public Library
A Sweet Rock Pastry Boutique LLC
Recovery Renaissance
Dolly Parton Imagination Library Carter County - Elizabethton, TN
Appalachian Books & Blessings
Chris Reddick for leading a fun Singo game!

Our Decoration Sponsors:
Laurels Pumpkin Barn
Mills Greenhouse and Landscape
Lowe's of Elizabethton

Our local media professionals at WJHL, WCYB, Johnson City Press, The Elizabethton Star, 107.9 The Bridge, and Tom Taylor Sports Show for helping us advertise and get the word out about all of the events going on this weekend.

And of course, a huge thank you to YOU, our community, for coming out and enjoying Covered Bridge Days with us. We can't wait to see you all in 2027!

09/26/2026

Day Two of Covered Bridge Days is here! 🎉

Festivities will begin at 10 a.m. this morning, Sept. 26.

🎈Kid's Island
~ 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. free inflatables and pay-to-play attractions
~ 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. and 5-6 p.m. character meet & greets with Barney, Sesame Street, Blue's Clues, Pooh & Friends, Scooby and SpongeBob
~ 12-1 p.m., 2-3 p.m., 4-5 p.m., and 6-7 p.m. 🪩 foam parties
~ 1-2 p.m. and 3-4 p.m. magic shows by 🪄 Dillon Williams Magic 🪄

🎃 Elk Avenue
~ 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. 🎨 craft vendors and 🌭 food trucks
~ 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. 👑 Mr. and Miss Covered Bridge Days Pageant
~ 1:30-2 p.m. 🍀 Appalachian Irish Dance Co.
~ 2:30-3 p.m. Covered Bridge Cloggers
~ 3:30-4 p.m. 🩰 East Tennessee Ballet Academy
~ 4:30-5 p.m. Trailblazer Cloggers
~ 5:30-6 p.m. Watts Dance Studio

🎶 Covered Bridge Park Main Stage performances
~ 12-1 p.m. Adrian Bundy
~ 1:40-2:40 p.m. Bullseye Band
~ 3:20-4:50 p.m. Kicking Up Dust
~ 5:30-7 p.m. Kelly & Company
~ 8 p.m. 🎸Exile 🎸

🎆 Fireworks will start around 9:45 p.m. from Lynn Mountain. Tune into 📻 107.9 FM The Bridge 🎵 for music during the display!

Food trucks and vendors are set up through the 500-700 blocks along E. Elk Avenue, from Armed Forces Drive to S. Main Street, as well as Riverside Drive. All dance performances and the pageant will be on E. Elk Avenue Bridge.

🛍 Don't forget to pop in to the many downtown merchants who are open and ready to celebrate with you this weekend!

09/25/2026

Day One of Covered Bridge Days is here! 🎉

Festivities began at 11 a.m. this morning, Sept. 25, and will go all weekend long.

🎈 Kid's Island activities start at 3 p.m. today.
~ 3-7 p.m. free inflatables and pay-to-play attractions
~ 4-5 p.m. 🪩 foam party
~ 5-6 p.m. magic show by 🪄 Dillon Williams Magic 🪄
~ 6-7 p.m. 🪩 foam party

Elk Avenue food and vendor sells and entertainment kicked off at 11 a.m. this morning.
~ 11 a.m. - 8 p.m. 🎨 craft vendors and 🌭 food trucks
~ 12-2 p.m. 🎀 "9 to 5: A Tribute to Dolly Parton"

Food trucks and vendors are set up through the 500-700 blocks along E. Elk Avenue, from Armed Forces Drive to S. Main Street, as well as Riverside Drive.

🛍 Don't forget to pop in to the many downtown merchants who are open and ready to celebrate with you this weekend!

09/24/2026

We can’t wait for the Youth Business Fair this year! Thanks Carter County Bank for sponsoring these young entrepreneurs!

09/22/2026

Pour yourself a cup of ambition and join us on the Elk Avenue Bridge during Covered Bridge Days 2026 on Friday, 9/25 from 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm for "9 to 5: A Tribute to Dolly Parton".

Wear pink, butterflies, rhinestones, your favorite Dolly outfit, or whatever makes you feel best, and get ready for Singo, free books from Appalachian Books & Blessings, face painting by Magic Mirror Skin Art , activities and information from Dolly Parton Imagination Library Carter County - Elizabethton, TN, and more!

The bridge is between our two food court locations, so visit one of the food trucks, grab some lunch, and come play Dolly-themed Singo with us! We'll have seating set up nearby where you can play and eat. Find the full food truck listing on the Covered Bridge Days 2026 event page description!

Singo prizes have been donated by our sponsors and partners at:
✨ Elizabethton/Carter County Public Library
✨ Imagination Library Carter County - Elizabethton
✨ Recovery Renaissance
✨ A Sweet Rock Pastry Boutique LLC

9/25 is also Day! Find out more information here: Dolly Parton's Imagination Library or by stopping by their table during the event!

Dolly, we will always love you! 🦋💖

09/18/2026

We are excited to announce that we already have over 25 businesses signed up for this year's Youth Business Fair!

If you know an entrepreneur between the ages of 7-18 who wants to set up a booth during the final day of Covered Bridge Days, now is their chance! Thanks to our sponsor, Carter County Bank, there are no booth fees, they'll get to keep 100% of what they earn, and each business will be automatically entered to win cash prizes for their business ideas!

We still have a few spots open, but they are going quick! Scan the QR code or email Emma at [email protected] for an application today!

09/18/2026

The countdown is on!⏱️

Covered Bridge Days starts in just seven days.

Downtown Elizabethton will transform all weekend long, Sept. 25-27, for the biggest community event of the year, featuring entertainment and activities for the whole family.

🖼 Arts & Crafts Vendors
🩷 A Dolly Parton Tribute
🎤 Live Music
🛍 The Youth Business Fair presented by Carter County Bank
🩰 Dance Performances
🎈 Kids Island Activities
and much more!

Mark your calendar! We can't wait to celebrate with you.

06/18/2026

Calling all young entrepreneurs between 7-18!

Applications for the Youth Business Fair are open, and we are almost full! This is your chance to build a business and set up your own booth during Covered Bridge Days!

Thanks to our sponsor, Carter County Bank , there are NO booth fees, you'll keep 100% of the earnings you make, and each business will automatically be entered to win cash prizes!

Summer is the perfect time to prepare your business for the Youth Business Fair on Sunday, September 27. Scan the QR code or email Emma at [email protected] for your application today!