The Balladeer Children’s Program had a busy August! Fun was had dancing, going to the speedway and going to the movies.
The Balladeer program, a free benefit for Ballad Health employees, is intended to strengthen family bonds and relationships among our Ballad Health family. Activities include visits to area attractions, picnics in local parks, holiday celebrations and activities, sports activities, discount tickets for attractions or events, treats, take-home projects and much more.
Here’s what the Balladeers have been up to lately and what they’ve got coming up.
August events
Decades Dance
- This free event was held at the Boys and Girls Club in Kingsport.
- Families came dressed in clothes from their favorite decade, danced to some of the biggest hits from each decade, and enjoyed a meal together.
- Activities included a temporary tattoo station, a candy buffet and a craft table. The Balladeer kids got to create a personal gift bag full of candy from our candy buffet, which featured the top candies from the last 70 years. We also had a fun photobooth so families could capture the moment in style!
- At the end of the festivities, we held a giveaway for decade-themed gift baskets. Seven families won and received the top toys and movies from the 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, 2000s, 2010s and 2020s.
Family Race Night
- Held at Kingsport Speedway, this event gave Balladeer children a chance to enjoy bounce houses, meet the racecar drivers, and even take a ride in the cars around the track!
- Balladeer children and up to two adults in each family received free admission and free ear protection; about 100 Balladeers attended. Each child also received a fun treat bag with race themed treats inside.
Family Movie Night
- About 80 people enjoyed a free showing of the classic movie “Toy Story,” presented at Bristol Regional Medical Center’s Monarch Auditorium.
- Families received popcorn, hand-squeezed lemonades and cotton candy (provided by B’s Lemonade), ice cream (provided by Creamy Cup) and “Toy Story” themed treat bags.
- A big thank you to Carla Gibson, Hamlin Wilson and wife Kelly, Rhonda Reeves, and Kelcie Cornett for coming from other departments on their days off to assist with this event. Also, a big thank you to the EVS team at Bristol Regional Medical Center for assisting with the cleanup!
August event photos
Decades Dance
Family Movie Night
Family Race Night
Upcoming events
- Sept. 13 – Family Fall Day at Fenders Farm (Jonesborough) *Registration CLOSES on Sept. 10 at midnight – must be a member of Balladeer to register*
- Sept. 11-18 – Balladeer shirt sale (featuring short-sleeved, long-sleeved, and sweatshirt options) *More information and a link to the shirt sale will be sent via email*
- Sept. 20 – Family Fall Day at Stickley Farm (Bluff City) *Registration CLOSES on Sept. 10 at midnight – must be a member of Balladeer program to register*
- Oct. 4 – Kickin’ for a Cause Event (Johnson City) *Registration closed for players – a separate registration will be sent for spectators soon!*
- Oct. 24 – Spooky Shindig (Bristol, Va.) *More information and registration coming soon!
- Nov. 8 – Balladeers Give Back Event (Johnson City Medical Center, time TBD) *More information and registration coming soon!
- Nov. 22 – Barter Players present “I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas”*More information and registration coming soon!
- Dec. 13 – Jingle and Mingle Event (Kingsport) *More information and registration coming soon!
Reminders
- If you are a Balladeer member and have not filled out the Balladeer liability waiver for 2025-2026, please click the link below to fill out the form.
- https://form.jotform.com/251834281255154
- Every participant must have a new liability waiver filled out before participating in any Balladeer events.
- If you have recently changed your name, address, email, or phone number, please fill out the link so we can update your information: Balladeer Information Update Requests
About the Balladeer Children’s Program
While enrolling in the Balladeer Children’s Program is free, there is a cost associated with some of the activities.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The Balladeer Children’s Program is for Ballad Health direct hires who have children between the ages 3-18 years old living in their household. They MUST live with you to qualify for the program.
- Here’s an FAQ about eligibility for the Balladeer Children’s Program, posted to the Balladeer site on the Ballad Health intranet.
- Click here to access the program enrollment form.
- Check out the updated Balladeer Children’s Program site on the Ballad Health intranet.
Once you’re enrolled, please remember that you must register for any Balladeer event you wish to attend. Registration and information are sent via email at least two weeks prior to an event. If you aren’t receiving Balladeer emails, please reach out to Shawna DeHart at shawna.gragg@balladhealth.org.
