Special Events

Glow Stick Swims

Location: Memorial Park Community Center, 510 Bert St. – Lap Pool Call: 423-434-5749 Date: Jan. 7, 6-7:30 p.m. Feb. 11, 6-7:30 p.m. March 11, 6-7:30 p.m. Cost: $2 for 12 and under $3 for 13 and older Memorial Park Community Center will be turning the lights down low and the music up loud! Come ring in the New Year with us as we fill the pool with glow sticks!

Martin Luther King Jr. Prayer Breakfast

Location: This is a virtual event - Carver Recreation Center, 322 W. Watauga Ave. Date: Saturday, Jan. 15 Time: 9–11 a.m. Ages: All Cost: $15 per person/carry-out This virtual program will have numerous breakfast foods to choose from also the program will honor community services participants.

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Location: Winged Deer Park, 4137 Bristol Hwy. Call: 423-434-5749 Date: Saturday, Jan. 15 Time: 10 a.m.-noon Age: 9+ Cost: Free Registration: Register by Thursday, Jan. 13 Join us on the first hike of the New Year. Enjoy hot chocolate in the morning before we head off on a moderate hike. Minimum of five people must register. Meet at the Robert Young Cabin.

Martin Luther King Jr. Story Time

Location: Carver Recreation Center, 322 W. Watauga Ave. Date: Monday, Jan. 17 Time: 9 a.m.–1 p.m. Ages: All Cost: Free Kids will learn about Martin Luther King Jr. through stories, arts & crafts & music. Lunch will be provided. Partnership with ETSU Multicultural Affairs.

American Red Cross Blood Drive

Location: Carver Recreation Center, 322 W. Watauga Ave. Date: Monday, Jan. 17 Time: Noon–6 p.m. Ages: 18 & up Cost: Free Come help out by donating blood to help others.

Martin Luther King Jr. Dinner

Location: This is a virtual event - Carver Recreation Center, 322 W. Watauga Ave. Date: Monday, Jan. 17 Time 6–8 p.m. Ages: All Cost: Free/carry-out This virtual event is held in honor of Martin Luther King. The program will include musical entertainment & great food. Location: Memorial Park Community Center. 510 Bert St. Call: 423-434-5749 Date: Friday, Jan. 21 Time: 5:30–8 p.m. Ages: 3-12 Cost: $5/child Registration: Please register in-person or by phone by Jan. 19. This is an event for the whole family to experience creativity and a family-friendly movie together. Cardboard boxes and art supplies will be provided for each child to create their own car. Car decorating will begin at 5:30, followed by the movie at 6:30. Pizza will be provided. All children must be accompanied by an adult.

Nature’s Garden Seed Swap and Share!

Location: Memorial Park Community Center Dining Room/Gym, 510 Bert St. Call: 423-283-5821 Date: Saturday, Jan. 29 Time: 9a.m.-noon Ages: Families Cost: Free Registration: No registration necessary Speaker: Ashley Kite, Tennessee Urban & Community Forestry Partnership Coordinator and Tennessee Urban Forestry Council Please join us for actual seed swapping. No seeds to swap?! We have plenty! Also enjoy exhibits, many emphasizing pollinator needs and Citizen Science opportunities. For more information and schedule: 423-283-5821.

National Hot Chocolate Day

Location: Memorial Park Community Center, 510 Bert St. Call: 423-434-5749 Date: Monday, Jan. 31 Time: 8 - 10a.m. Age: All Ages Cost: Free It's time to cozy up with a cup of hot chocolate for National Hot Chocolate Day! Come and join us to celebrate!

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A Night Under The Stars

Location: Memorial Park Community Center, 510 Bert St. Date: Saturday, Feb. 5 Time: 6-8 p.m. Ages: All ages Cost: Jan. 3-27, $10/person; Jan. 28-Feb. 4, $15/person Registration: Jan. 3-Feb. 4 at MPCC or online at www.myjcparks.org. Tickets will NOT be available for purchase at the door. Tickets purchased online must be picked up before day of dance. Every special girl can get all dressed up and dance the night away with the ones you love! This event is open to fathers/grandfathers/guardians and daughters of all ages. A live DJ will make this event truly memorable. Photo vouchers can be purchased online ahead of time online, in person, or purchased that night. Light refreshments will be served.

Love Muffins Valentine’s Day

Location: Memorial Park Community Center, 510 Bert St. Call: 423-434-5749 Date: Monday, Feb. 14 Time: 10 a.m. Age: All Ages Cost: Free We will be celebrating Valentine’s Day by giving away muffins at 10 a.m. and continue while supplies last.

Black History Program & Taste of the Community

Location: Carver Recreation Center, 322 W. Watauga Ave. Date: Thursday, Feb. 24 Time: 6–8 p.m. Ages: All Cost: Program free/ Taste $5 per person The program will feature a black history presentation & an opportunity to taste some incredible recipes such as, chicken dishes, wings, mac & cheese, green beans & corn with desserts. Also will honor local health providers. Location: Memorial Park Community Center, 510 Bert St. Call: 423-434-5749 Date: Friday, Feb. 25 Time: 5:30–6:30 p.m. Age: All ages Cost: Free Parents, prep your family for a fun night of bingo! Play to win a variety of prizes!

Give Parents a Break

Location: Memorial Park Community Center, 510 Bert St. Call: 423-434-5749 Date: Saturday, Feb. 26 Time: 11–3 p.m. Age: 6–12 Cost: $10/child Registration: Register by Wednesday, Feb. 23 The purpose of Give Parents a Break is to offer families a few hours away from the stress of parenting and use the time to suit their personal needs. Minimum of five children must register.

Shamrock Scavenger Hunt

Location: Johnson City’s beautiful parks. Call: 423-434-5749 Date: Thursday, March 17 Time: 3:30–7:30 p.m. Ages: All Ages Cost: Free Using the free app GooseChase, join us in a city-wide scavenger hunt to solve clues, complete challenges, and find the shamrocks! Winning teams can pick up prizes at Memorial Park Community Center by March 21. Max of 6 players per team.

Take A Walk In The Park Day

Location: Founders Park Call: 423-434-5749 Date: Wednesday, March 30 Time: 8 - 9 a.m. Cost: Free Don’t miss out on “Take a Walk in the Park Day” at Founders Park! It’s a great opportunity for exercise, relaxation and socialization.

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Location: Memorial Park Community Center, 510 Bert St. Call: 423-434-5749 Date: Saturday, April 9 Time: 9:30–11 a.m. Ages: 12 & under Cost: $10/family Registration: March 21- April 8 Join us for our first annual Bunny Breakfast! Bring your kids out to visit with the Easter Bunny as we eat and raffle off door prizes! Cost includes breakfast, a craft for the kids, a visit with the Easter Bunny, and a free raffle ticket to go in to the drawing.

Easter Egg Coloring Days

Location: Carver Recreation Center, 322 W. Watauga Ave. Date: April 12 & 13 Time: 4-5 p.m. Ages: All Cost: Free The kids will be coloring dozens of eggs on the 7th & 8th to be given out to all kids who participate in the annual Easter egg hunt.

Hound Egg Hunt

Location: Memorial Park Community Center, 510 Bert St. Call: 423-434-5749 Date: Wednesday, April 13 Time: 5–6 p.m. Cost: Free Registration: April 1– April 11 Who says an Easter egg hunt is only for kids? Bring your four-legged doggie friends on out to MPCC for an evening filled with fun and lots of treats! Donations will be taken for the Washington County Humane Society.

Easter Egg Hunt & Cookout

Location: Carver Recreation Center, 322 W. Watauga Ave. Date: Thursday, April 14 Time: 4–6 p.m. Ages: All Cost: Free Location: Carver Recreation Center, 322 W. Watauga Ave. Call: 423-461-8830 Date: April 14 Time: 4 - 6 p.m. Ages: Open to all ages Cost: Free Egg hunts will be broken into age groups. Prizes awarded to first, second and third place in each category for the most eggs found. A cookout will take place after the hunt.

Teen Service Day/Earth Day

Locations: TBD

Call: 423-434-5749 Date: Friday, April 22 Time: Ages: 9-12TH graders Cost: Free Preregistration: April 4-April 21 This is a fun and easy way to get 4 credits toward your service hours! Join us in an afternoon of beautification of one of our local parks. We will be pulling weeds, mulching and planting flowers.

Mother/Son Date Knight

Location: Memorial Park Community Center 510 Bert St. Date: Thursday, May 5 Time: 6-8pm Ages: 6-12 Cost: $5/person Registration: April 11-May 3 Mothers need bonding time with their sons. In honor of all mothers, grandmothers, godmothers, and guardians, we are hosting this event to give that special time for sons to spend with their loved ones. The medieval theme will be so fun and come dressed the part if you would like! We will serve dinner, make a craft and watch a movie together!

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