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Johnson Citys 8th Annual Meet the Mountains Festival Kicks Off Friday with Zip Line, Live Music and Outdoor Adventures
The 8th annual Meet the Mountains Festival, presented by Visit Johnson City, launches Friday, August 14 at Winged Deer Park Lakefront in Johnson City, Tennessee. The two‑day affair will run Friday from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., with organizers projecting a crowd of more than 10,000 attendees.
Designed as a single destination for the region’s outdoor attractions, the festival offers a zip line, a returning rock wall, an e‑bike demo area, paddling stations, Ultimate Air Dogs shows, axe‑throwing, educational clinics, and live music. Food vendors provide a range of options, local beer is on tap, and over 100 exhibitors showcase air, earth, and water themes. New this year are an atlatl station, e‑foil and e‑surfboard demos, an Appalachian Highland Games throwing demonstration, and a rock‑climbing demo on the rock wall.
The sound lineup spotlights regional talent. Friday’s stage hosts Matthew Tonner—formerly of the Florida‑based folk group The 502s, now residing in Johnson City—and Pressing Strings, an indie‑folk and soul trio from Annapolis, Maryland. Saturday’s acts include Jared Bentley, a singer‑songwriter from Southwest Virginia and East Tennessee whose style has been described as “mountain soul”; Bratfolk, a Johnson City duo blending dulcimer and drums with Appalachian and Celtic influences; and Six Foot Blonde, an indie‑rock band from Bloomington, Indiana noted for a 1990s‑alt‑washed sound.
Entertainment is supplied by Brightspeed. Local marketing manager Lymari Munoz explained, “At Brightspeed, we believe connection goes beyond technology… We’re honored to support such a special event that will bring families and neighbors together and create a lasting impact through community connection and shared enjoyment of the outdoors, a big part of what living in Johnson City and this region is all about.”
The festival is divided into three distinct zones—Air, Water, and Earth—allowing visitors to experience a wide array of activities within a single venue. It is part of Johnson City’s broader outdoor recreation showcase and highlights the natural assets of Northeast Tennessee.
Festival planners encourage visitors to learn more on MTMFest.org and through the event’s social media channels. Additional on‑site and off‑site activities will run during the week leading up to the main event.
As the festival opens on Friday, organizers expect a robust turnout and a celebration of local culture that reinforces Johnson City’s reputation as a hub for outdoor adventure and regional music.
Designed as a single destination for the region’s outdoor attractions, the festival offers a zip line, a returning rock wall, an e‑bike demo area, paddling stations, Ultimate Air Dogs shows, axe‑throwing, educational clinics, and live music. Food vendors provide a range of options, local beer is on tap, and over 100 exhibitors showcase air, earth, and water themes. New this year are an atlatl station, e‑foil and e‑surfboard demos, an Appalachian Highland Games throwing demonstration, and a rock‑climbing demo on the rock wall.
The sound lineup spotlights regional talent. Friday’s stage hosts Matthew Tonner—formerly of the Florida‑based folk group The 502s, now residing in Johnson City—and Pressing Strings, an indie‑folk and soul trio from Annapolis, Maryland. Saturday’s acts include Jared Bentley, a singer‑songwriter from Southwest Virginia and East Tennessee whose style has been described as “mountain soul”; Bratfolk, a Johnson City duo blending dulcimer and drums with Appalachian and Celtic influences; and Six Foot Blonde, an indie‑rock band from Bloomington, Indiana noted for a 1990s‑alt‑washed sound.
Entertainment is supplied by Brightspeed. Local marketing manager Lymari Munoz explained, “At Brightspeed, we believe connection goes beyond technology… We’re honored to support such a special event that will bring families and neighbors together and create a lasting impact through community connection and shared enjoyment of the outdoors, a big part of what living in Johnson City and this region is all about.”
The festival is divided into three distinct zones—Air, Water, and Earth—allowing visitors to experience a wide array of activities within a single venue. It is part of Johnson City’s broader outdoor recreation showcase and highlights the natural assets of Northeast Tennessee.
Festival planners encourage visitors to learn more on MTMFest.org and through the event’s social media channels. Additional on‑site and off‑site activities will run during the week leading up to the main event.
As the festival opens on Friday, organizers expect a robust turnout and a celebration of local culture that reinforces Johnson City’s reputation as a hub for outdoor adventure and regional music.