Fun Fest Honored on the 2026 Southeast Festivals and Events Association’s Kaleidoscope Awards

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 Wednesday, March 4, 2026

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Fun Fest Honored on the 2026 Southeast Festivals and Events Association’s Kaleidoscope Awards

KINGSPORT, Tenn. – The greatest and brightest within the Southeastern festivals and occasions trade had been spotlighted final week on the Southeast Festivals and Events Association’s 2026 Kaleidoscope Awards Gala, part of their annual convention, held this yr in Tupelo, Mississippi. This yr, 187 candidates throughout the southeast entered 20 completely different classes.

Fun Fest’s Hot Air Balloon Rally obtained the gold award for Best Event Within An Event. Throughout the previous 30+ years, the Hot Air Balloon Rally has been a staple of Fun Fest and serves because the finale kickoff. Vibrant colours abound on the Hot Air Balloon Rally, an occasion that has helped form Kingsport’s largest pageant, Fun Fest. The Hot Air Balloon Rally takes place over two days and is totally free to the general public. Attendees can expertise a balloon glow, see the new air balloons up shut, take photographs, discuss to pilots and climate allowing, see the balloons take off and fly. In 2025, round 25,000 folks got here to see the 18 sizzling air balloons that had been featured. Marsh Regional Blood Center hosts a donation drive along side their sponsorship, and this yr, obtained greater than 130 blood donations all through the Saturday balloon rally drive. In a typical week, the blood financial institution sees a median of 20 donors every day, however via the promotions and a spotlight surrounding the balloon rally, they obtained practically 1,000 donations that week. Fun Fest’s Hot Air Balloon occasions are made by attainable by Ballad Health, Marsh Regional Blood Center, Tractor Supply and Brightspeed.

Fun Fest additionally obtained the bronze award for Best Festival or Event. Since 1981, Fun Fest has been a staple pageant in Kingsport and all through the area. For 9 days in July, the group celebrates the Kingsport spirit with greater than 100 occasions (24 of them had been fully new in 2025) in 30+ areas across the metropolis. From day one, the purpose of Fun Fest has been “Community Unity,” and it continues to foster the idea that Kingsport is an efficient place to work and stay by offering occasions that spotlight leisure, athletics, arts and historical past, amongst others. We try to make Fun Fest a pageant that turns into a practice for households throughout generations and affords inexpensive methods to make reminiscences that final a lifetime. In 2025, Fun Fest welcomed greater than 100,000 guests from 32 states. Throughout its 9 days, Fun Fest hosts a parade, street races, sporting occasions, senior occasions, youngsters’s occasions, sizzling air balloons, fireworks, concert events, meals vehicles, pet occasions, block events, guided hikes and SO. MUCH. MORE. Fun Fest is made attainable annually by greater than 150 company and group sponsors who put their monetary help, time and vitality into making every occasion successful.

“We are blessed to live in a community and region that continues to support a festival of this size,” stated Emily Thompson, Visit Kingsport’s Director of Fun Fest and Special Events. “We are honored to see Fun Fest and the Hot Air Balloon Rally recognized as they both truly reflect Kingsport’s community spirit.”

The awards had been judged primarily based on the outline of the occasion, funds and revenue/loss assertion, estimated variety of attendees, if it was environmental and/or pet pleasant and group evaluations/suggestions. Factors of affect included attendance development, pioneering advertising and superior promotional efforts.

“The Kaleidoscope Awards celebrate the passion and innovation that power our industry,” stated Amy Doherty, SFEA Board Chair. “These organizations are not just producing events. They are creating experiences that leave lasting impressions on their communities and raise the standard for excellence across the Southeast.”

The identify “kaleidoscope” was chosen in homage to the colours within the SFEA brand, which characterize the various completely different components and aspects inside festivals and occasions. A name for entries was posted final fall, and all communities and occasions, members and non-members alike, had been inspired to take part. The judges appeared for originality, creativity, media impression, and the general impression on the respective communities. The Kaleidoscope Award classes are numerous, protecting nearly each side of the trade, together with distributors and suppliers.

The Southeast Festivals & Events Association is a 501 (c) 6 membership-based group composed of pageant and occasion planners, venues, and trade service suppliers. SFEA was based in 2009 to strengthen the festivals and occasions trade all through the Southeastern United States by internet hosting academic periods, networking alternatives, award recognition, and extra occasions all year long, thus permitting for continued skilled development of members. Membership is open to professionals within the festivals and occasions trade in addition to these eager to get their begin and study extra about this thrilling career.