Masterpiece Mingle is a popular event that brings together art, music and great food to the McKinney Center this year on Friday, April 29from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. This is the largest fundraiser for the McKinney Center each year as proceeds support scholarships for K-12 grade students who have financial needs and other educational programming throughout the year for McKinney Center art classes. The event provides plenty of opportunities for art and music lovers to meet and mingle in a fun and elegant atmosphere as they admire the work of art they get to take home, or even exchange with another guest.

This event, which sells out well in advance each year, will feature an exhibit of 125 different works of art, and each guest will take one of these works home. The artwork, which has been donated by regional artists, include mediums such as watercolor, acrylic, ceramics, fabric art, jewelry, woodwork and more. All pieces will be on display for guests to admire throughout the evening until the event ends, and each guest takes their corresponding piece of art home with them. Guests receive their artwork at random. Each artwork is assigned a number, and each program the guest receives will correspond to one of those numbers. Guests can keep their original mystery masterpiece, or find other guests with whom they may “swap.”

Amid the fun atmosphere, guests will enjoy live jazz music by a combo from the Jonesborough Rhythm Express. They can also enjoy heavy hors d’oeuvres from Main Street Café and Catering, and a silent auction featuring more exquisite art, great books and top-quality art supplies. Beer and wine will also be for sale by Main Street Café and Catering.

This unique event serves as the signature annual fundraiser for the McKinney Center. Tickets are $50 which includes the event, food, music andthe original piece of art each guest will take home.

Tickets are limited to one-hundred twenty-five, as this is the number of works that has been donated. To purchase tickets, call the Jonesborough Visitor Center at 423.753.1010 or purchase online at Jonesborough.com/tickets.

It’s that time of the year again in the Tri Cities! Soon-to-be married couples and their guests are invited to the Simple Elegance Bridal Show on Sunday, March 6 at the Jonesborough Visitors Center from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

At the show, brides will be able to finalize plans for their special day all in one place or just gather ideas. Many of the Tri-Cities highly preferred wedding vendors will be exhibiting their goods and services—from venues to wedding rentals. Of course, there will be food samples and bridal gowns being modeled.

“If you’re engaged, you don’t want to miss this show. You’ll meet amazing wedding pros, get some fabulous wedding ideas, leave with a free swag bag, win prizes, and so much more,“ said Mary Grace Wooten, the bridal show organizer.

There will be hand sanitizer and masks available at the door. They are also scheduling arrival times at the show to promote social distancing. In addition, attendees who sign up for the drawings during the show are not required to be present during the actual prize drawings to win.

During the Simple Elegance Bridal Show, soon-to-be married couples will receive a giveaway tote that contains savings and gifts. They will have chances to win great prizes throughout the show, such as $250 off any wedding gown from Magical Mountain Bridal, 50% off of a bridal party floral package from Cherished by Melanie, $500 off any of their Premier Wedding Packages from Magic Wand Creations and a tote bag filled of special offers from different wedding vendors value at $1,500+. There will be special offers from the vendors at the show. Follow the Simple Elegance Bridal Show on Facebook and Instagram for more info about exhibitors, gifts, and prizes.

Tickets for the Simple Elegance Bridal Show are $6 at the door, but guests are encouraged to pre-register online at simpleelegancebridalshow.com to get their tickets for half off and choose an arrival time.

More information about the show, including the latest list of participating vendors, is online at simpleelegancebridalshow.com or call 423.930.8215.

The Simple Elegance Bridal Show is connecting couples with highly regarded local wedding professionals who are ready to help make their wedding dreams come true while staying within budget.

A celebration of Celtic culture is coming to Tennessee’s Oldest Town for the 5th annual St. Paddy’s Celebration on Saturday, March 19. Discover everything from Highland Games to live Irish music and green beer to a fun run.

Get into the St. Paddy’s spirit with the premier Irish traditional band of East Tennessee, Sigean, as they take the stage during Shamrockin’ on the Plaza in front of the International Storytelling Center from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. The group’s seven members create a foot-stomping blend of traditional dance tunes and moving ballads through acoustic instruments. Sigean has performed at the Knoxville Irish Festival, Bristol Rhythm and Roots Reunion Festival, Big Stone Celtic Festival and many others.

During Shamrockin’ on the Plaza, enjoy a beer garden brought by Main Street Cafe and Catering with beer from Depot Street Brewing and Tennessee Hills Brewstillery. Main Street Café and Catering will also provide a special menu of Irish foods consisting of bangers and mash with onion gravy and beef stew. Starting at 4 p.m., food and drinks will be served.

Join the Appalachian Highlands Celts in Storytelling Park from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. as they bring Highland Games to Jonesborough. Enjoy demonstrations from members of the group and attendees can try their hand at being a Highland games athlete. The Appalachian Highlands Celts will guide attendees through the safety of performing in the games and show step-by-step techniques. Visitors can try their hand at the stone throw, weight over bar, archery and spear throwing.

Take part in Paddy’s Dash: Brew Fun Run starting at 4 p.m. The run will begin at the Storytelling Center and go to Depot Street Brewing for a free small pour of beer or root beer, then head back to the Storytelling Center for food, libations and live Irish music! The Fun Run is for all ages and there is no fee to enter. Participants are welcome to walk/jog/run the route. After the run, participants are encouraged to stay for Shamrockin’ on the Plaza.

Step back in time with the Heritage Alliance by taking a Town Tour at 1 p.m. Tour tickets are $5 and can be purchased at the Chester Inn Museum, located at 116 West Main Street. They will be open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Attendees are encouraged to arrive dressed in kilts, leprechaun outfits or simply all decked out in green.

Shamrockin’ on the Plaza is sponsored by Main Street Café and Catering and Jonesborough Area Merchants Association (JAMSA). For more information about Jonesborough’s St. Paddy’s Celebration, visit Jonesborough.com/StPaddy or call 423.753.1010.

Jonesborough Area Merchants & Service Association (JAMSA) will host the seventh Annual Chocolate Fest as a three-day festival on Friday, February 11 through Sunday, February 13.

Take a stroll through Downtown Jonesborough and pickup delicious chocolate treats in celebration of Jonesborough’s Chocolate Fest. There will be chocolate stops dotted throughout downtown provided by Jonesborough small businesses, each serving something unique and special but of course, chocolate-themed. Attendees will discover endless options— everything from barks, fudges, chocolate-covered strawberries and so much more. One ticket equals one chocolate treat. At check-in attendees will receive a bag to carry chocolates in, chocolate tasting tickets, and a list of chocolate stops. Throughout the three-day festival attendees can also enjoy a variety of activities and entertainment.

For the second year, Chocolate Fest will be a three-day event with multiple times available and a limited number of tickets sold. The days and times are as follows; Friday, February 11, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.; Saturday, February 12, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.; and Sunday, February 13, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. All chocolates are individually packaged.

For the first time, JAMSA will offer a special ticket for patrons over 21 called Chocolate After Dark on Friday, February 11 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Attendees are encouraged to purchase this ticket in addition and will have access to 10+ beverage tasting stops in participating downtown businesses.

JAMSA is operated by volunteers, consisting of local business owners and community members. As an organization, they focus on promoting and serving local merchants as well as the growth of Jonesborough as a whole. Chocolate Fest is one of the ways JAMSA works to support locally owned businesses. The funds raised from Chocolate Fest go directly back to Jonesborough small businesses and the community.

Tickets will be sold in packs of 10 for $15 and need to be purchased in advance. Early ticket pick-up will begin Monday, February 7 through Thursday, February 10. All check-in and pick up will take place at the Historic Jonesborough Visitors Center located on Boone Street.

Visit JBOChocolateFest.com for more information and to purchase tickets.

Conversations That Matter has kicked off 2022 and enters February with a focus on Black History featuring two historians. In this upcoming “Conversation,” hear from Dr. Daryl Carter and Dr. Megan Tewell in a special Black History month feature. This conversation will be moderated by McKinney Center Advisory Board Members and volunteers, Michelle Treece and Brittany Butler. This event takes place via Zoom on Thursday, February 10, at 7 p.m. Attendees can register at McKinneyCenter.com.

Dr. Daryl A. Carter is Associate Dean for Equity & Inclusion for the College of Arts & Sciences at East Tennessee State University. Dr. Carter is also the director of Black American Studies and a professor of history. He has been at ETSU since 2008. During his time there Dr. Carter has been a graduate coordinator, interim director in the Office of eLearning, Tennessee Board of Regents Maxine Smith Fellow, ETSU Presidential Fellow and an emerging leader for the American Association of State Colleges and Universities. Dr. Carter is an expert in American political history. Brother Bill: President Clinton And The Politics of Race and Class, published by the University of Arkansas Press, is his well-regarded first book. Currently, he is working on an examination of Senator Edward M. Kennedy and American liberalism. Dr. Carter holds a B.S. in Political Science and M.A. in History from East Tennessee State University. He earned his Ph.D. in American history at The University of Memphis.

Dr. Megan Cullen Tewell is a public history practitioner, scholar and educator based in Northeast Tennessee. She currently works as the Programming Coordinator at The Heritage Alliance in Jonesborough. Tewell received her PhD in Public History from North Carolina State University in 2020. She is a versatile professor with experience in historical research, publishing, museums and higher education.

Supported by a grant from the East Tennessee Foundation, “Conversations that Matter” is a monthly series produced by the McKinney Center in Jonesborough, Tennessee. In each “Conversation” two local guests from different backgrounds (age, race, religion, culture, etc.) explore their own culture and perspective, and talk to each other about what makes them unique, discover their similarities, and explore their differences. They will look at where their lives might intersect personally and in the community. The goal of each “Conversation that Matters” is for guests and participants to hear real stories, from real neighbors. This month will feature personal experiences along with real history questions about local Black History and Black History throughout American history.

This monthly series is inspired by the Diversity & Equity Subcommittee at the McKinney Center, and their desire to highlight the experiences of all voices in Washington County, Tennessee, with an intention to include marginalized groups. By showcasing these conversations, the Diversity & Equity subcommittee hopes to open doors to new ideas and perspectives amongst our very own neighbors.

After hearing from one another the moderators and guest conversationalists will give insight on how to move forward.