bays mountain 50th anniversary · 2021. 3. 30. · former kingsport mayors come together to...
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BAYS MOUNTAIN50th ANNIVERSARY MEDIA KIT
FORMER KINGSPORT MAYORS COME TOGETHER TO CELEBRATE BAYS MOUNTAINLeaders show support for 50th Anniversary and regional tourism gem
Bays Mountain Park & Planetarium has been a
crown jewel of our region for decades. Millions of
visitors create lasting memories, from great conversations
on hikes with loved ones, to a child’s awe at
the sound of the wolves echoing throughout the
park. We feel nostalgic. We love Bays Mountain.
Now, let’s create momentum for the future. It's time.
This is the first effort where former mayors have
come together to support an initiative in this way.
We believe in Bays Mountain. As mayors, we all
made improvements at the park while in office, and
now, we are ready to do something together that
will leave an even longer-lasting impact on our
region. Just as we each passed the torch to the next
mayor to continue the vision for our community, we
are now asking you to help us carry the torch for
Bays Mountain.
www.baysmountain.com
Gardner Hammond, Mayor 1977-1981Hunter Wright, Mayor 1989-1995Jeanette Blazier, Mayor 1999-2005Dennis Phillips, Mayor 2005-2015John Clark, Mayor 2015-2019
Foreground:Ruth Montgomery, Mayor 1995-1999(in loving memory and tribute)
For more information:Rob [email protected]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CELEBRATING 50 YEARS OF ADVENTURE AT BAYS MOUNTAIN PARK & PLANETARIUMBays Mountain kicks off anniversary celebrations
Bays Mountain Park & Planetarium is celebrating 50 years of family fun and adventure in 2021, and
you’re invited to a party that will last all year long.
On May 24, 1971, Bays Mountain Park opened the doors to the Nature Center, and has welcomed
generations of Kingsport families into the park ever since. With a focus on education, preservation
and wholesome outdoor fun, the park has become a staple attraction for the region, often referred
to as Kingsport’s “crown jewel.”
“Our park staff is humbled and honored to be part of a destination that has had such a profound
impact on so many lives and has helped so many create wonderful, vibrant memories,” Park
Manager Rob Cole said.
This year, the park will celebrate its golden anniversary with special events, opportunities to get
involved, commemorative merchandise and more. Throughout 2021, look for fun events and
programs fit for everyone. Whether you love adventuring in the woods, learning about local history,
or spending time with family, Bays Mountain Park is the place to be.
“This is such an exciting time for our community and our region,” said former Kingsport Mayor and
BMP 50th Year Celebration Committee Chair Jeanette Blazier. “The former mayors of the City of
Kingsport are championing the efforts to make this a very special celebration.”
Join the park for Kids at Bays on Saturday, April 24 for a fun-filled family day from 12 – 6 p.m.
Featuring food trucks, live music, games, door prizes and more, all activities are free with park
admission. Plus, kids can help celebrate the wolves’ birthday by making cards and decorating
cupcakes!
www.baysmountain.com
May is Bays’ official anniversary month, and it’s jam-packed with fun activities all leading up to the
big day, May 24, including:
• Morning Yoga on first four Saturdays at 9 a.m.
• Morning Kayak Tour on May 23, 9 a.m.
• Guided History Hike on May 23, 2 p.m.
• Anniversary Day Celebration on May 24, 1 p.m.
What else can you look forward to during Bays Mountain’s 50th Anniversary Celebration? On social
media, look out for oral history narratives of the park and other fun facts about the park. Bays
Mountain Brewing Company will host “A Night with a Naturalist” events at the brewery, where you
can sip some local brews while you learn a thing or two. On Father’s Day Weekend, June 19, the park
will host Jeep Fest. There’s plenty of other events and programs on the horizon too, including VIP
Barge Rides, Campfire Tales, a music festival and the return of the Laser Light Show!
There are more than just events on the horizon to mark the 50th Anniversary. Bays Mountain Park
has spent the last few years making improvements to its facilities, from new exhibits in the Nature
Center to additional parking. This year, BMP will begin construction of two new projects: a
commemorative trail accessible to hikers and bikers of a variety of skill levels, and the new Fox
Den play space, in memory of Parker Fox.
Want to deck yourself out in Bays Mountain merch to help celebrate?
Visit baysmountain.com/merch to purchase limited edition t-shirts, hats, mugs, water bottles,
stickers and more. Plus, be sure to keep an eye on that website—more designs will be released
throughout the year. Proceeds will support 50th anniversary initiatives.
One more way you can help out the park this year—buy yourself a drink! Bays Mountain Brewing
Company has partnered with Bays Mountain Park to bring a new brew to their menu: “Celebrate 50!
Bays Mountain Park Ale.” One dollar from every can sold will support trail maintenance projects at
Bays Mountain Park & Planetarium. Looking for other ways to contribute? Bays Mountain Park also
accepts donations.
www.baysmountain.com
More events and opportunities to make your mark on Kingsport’s beloved nature preserve will be
announced throughout the year. To stay in the know, visit baysmountain.com and follow Bays
Mountain Park & Planetarium on Facebook and Instagram. Be sure to spread your love for the
mountain by tagging the park when you post pictures of your visits and adventures!
“We hope that in this 50th year, the park’s legacy will not only be fondly remembered and
celebrated," Cole said, “but that the course for the next 50 years is set, ensuring that Bays Mountain
serves the region as effectively as it has since its opening. That is the mission of Bays Mountain
Park.”
About Bays Mountain Park & Planetarium
Annually, more than 200,000 visitors pass through Bays Mountain Park making it one of the State of
Tennessee’s Top 50 Most Visited Attractions, according to the State of Tennessee Department of
Tourist Development. One of the nation’s largest city-owned parks with 3,550 acres, Bays Mountain
Park features roughly 40 miles of hiking trails, a state-of-the-art planetarium, wildlife habitats, fun
exhibits, a 44-acre lake, ropes course with zip line, trails for mountain biking and much, much more.
About the City of Kingsport
Founded in 1917, the City of Kingsport (pop. 53,000) is located on the Tennessee-Virginia border at
the crossroads of I-81 and I-26 near the geographic center of the eastern U.S. The city is widely
known as a planned community, designed by renowned city planner John Nolen and wrapping
around the foot of Bays Mountain – a 3,500-acre park, nature preserve, planetarium and
observatory. Kingsport is recognized as an International Safe Community by the National Safety
Council, a Healthier Tennessee community, and won the 2009 Harvard Innovations in American
Government Award for its higher education initiatives. While many city names are duplicated
throughout the U.S., there’s only one Kingsport – a fact that invokes community pride, known locally
as the
“Kingsport Spirit.”
www.baysmountain.com
www.baysmountain.com
LOGOS
www.baysmountain.com/merch
MERCHANDISE Buy now @ www.baysmountain.com/merch
www.baysmountain.com
EVENTS
APRIL 15A Night with a Naturalist at Bays Mountain Brewery6.30 pm.
APRIL 23
Frog TalkEnjoy an evening listening to the natural symphony of the frogs that call BMP home. 8.00 pm - 9.30 pm - $5Registration required: Call (423) 229-9447.
APRIL 21
Canoe/Kayak/SUP Tour6.00 pm - 8.00 pm. Pre-registration - $10Call (423) 229-9447 for details.
APRIL 28
Twilight Barge RideSpend an evening on the lake enjoying the nocturnal sounds of the park.7.00 pm - 8.00 pm - $10
Kids at BaysCelebrate with the whole family today as this Saturday is all about kids. Park admission will be free throughout the day. Bring the whole clan for a series of events from 12:00 pm to 6:00 pm. We'll have big trucks in the parking lot for Kid's Touch a Truck, Food Trucks, games, and door prizes with live music by Gypsy Moon Coalition at 2:30 pm.
The big event of the day will be the Wolves’ Birthday Party in the afternoon. Kids can join in the fun and make birthday cards for the wolves and decorate cupcakes to feed them later in the day. Everyone is invited to the birthday party at 2 pm to present cards and gifts to the wolves for a fun afternoon.
24thAPRIL
We will be announcing new events every few weeks so stay tuned.
www.baysmountain.com
SOCIAL MEDIA
#baysmountain #baysmountainpark #kingsport #tennessee #tennesseeparks #parks #nature
#astronomy #hiking #biking #wolves #planetarium
@BaysMtnPark
@baysmountainpark
@BaysMountain
baysmountain.com
baysmountain.com/merch
For a complete list of events and activities visit:
Follow us
Please use our hashtags
www.baysmountain.com
MEDIA SPONSORS
We are in the process of seeking sponsorships for the 50th year.Please contact [email protected] to get involved.