The Balladeer Children’s Program enjoyed a big month of activities in August, including a Balladeers-only trip to the Knoxville Zoo, a drive-in movie tripleheader and a LEGO Fan Expo. And there’s plenty more in store this fall.
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
Aug. 1 – Zoo Knoxville Trip
- Private, Balladeer-only event with more than 700 attendees!
- Several families received early admission and ice cream vouchers as reward for filling out our parent survey.
Aug. 8 – Drive-in Movie Night (Abingdon)
- Balladeer families got to visit Moonlite Drive-in at no cost, and families also received $10 per person to use towards concessions.
- Inflatables and games were set up for families to enjoy before the movie.
- Triple feature: “Goat,” “Spider-Man: Brand New Day” and “Supergirl”; more than 125 attended, and Spider-Man also made an appearance!
Aug. 15 – LEGO Fan Expo (Abingdon)
- Families entered to win tickets to the LEGO Fan Expo; this event was scheduled in February but got rescheduled due to snow.
- It included incredible builds from talent LEGO artists, a build-your-own LEGO creation station and lots of vendors selling unique and rare LEGO items.
- 200 total tickets were given out for this event!
Event photos
Drive-in movies
Knoxville Zoo
LEGO Fan Expo
Upcoming events
Oct. 10 – Crime and Dine Murder Mystery Dinner Show, Blountville
- Clue-themed, family-friendly murder mystery dinner show!
- Ages 10 and up recommended due to themes and nature of the show.
- Registration has closed.
Oct. 24 – Spooky Skate Nights, Johnson City and Bristol
- Join us in costume for a spooky skate night at both Johnson City Family Skate Center and Bristol Skateway!
- Crafts, snacks, games, and more!
- Registration will open in early October, and space is limited – first come, first served.
Nov. 7 – Balladeers at Topgolf, Knoxville
- Saturday, Nov. 7, 5 p.m., Topgolf in Knoxville
- Come and get your swing on at Topgolf! Balladeers will have a private floor at Topgolf.
- Snacks and drinks provided
- Space is limited; more information and registration coming soon.
Nov. 21 – Wreath-Making Event, Kingsport
- Saturday, Nov. 21 at Evergreen of Colonial Heights, times TBD
- Join us for a fun community service event where we will work together to create holiday wreaths that will be donated to families in need of some holiday cheer!
- Kids will be able to make another smaller project to keep, as well.
- Snacks will also be provided!
- Registration will be sent in early November.
Dec. 5 – Jingle and Mingle holiday event, Norton
- Saturday, Dec. 5, Two sessions available (10-11:30 and 12:30 – 2), at Hotel Norton
- Join us for a fun holiday event, including brunch, Santa, games, crafts, gifts, face painting and more!
- Registration required; more details and information will be sent in mid-November.
Dec. 5 – Jingle and Mingle holiday event, Jonesborough
- Saturday, Dec. 5, Two sessions available (10-11:30 and 12:30 – 2), at Grace Meadows Farm
- Join us for a fun holiday event, including brunch, Santa, games, crafts, gifts, face painting and more!
- Registration required; more details and information will be sent in mid-November.
Dec. 12 – Jingle and Mingle holiday event, Kingsport
- Saturday, Dec. 12. Two sessions available (3:30-5:30 p.m., 6-8 p.m.), at BANQ.
- Join us for a fun holiday event, including a pasta dinner, Santa, games, crafts, gifts, face painting and more!
- Registration required; more details and information will be sent in mid-November.
Dec. 12 – Jingle and Mingle holiday event, Abingdon
- Saturday, Dec. 12, 4-7 p.m., at Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center
- Join us for a fun holiday event, including a pasta dinner, Santa, games, crafts, gifts, face painting and more!
- Registration required; more details and information will be sent in mid-November.
Dec. 14 – Balladeer Night @ Bristol Motor Speedway, Bristol
- Monday, Dec. 14, 5-8 p.m.
- Join us for a Balladeer private event at the Tri-Cities Airport Ice Rink (located at Bristol Motor Speedway).
- Balladeers can ice skate and receive free treats while in attendance. Balladeers also can use their Speedway in Lights pass, provided by Ballad Health to all employees, to view the lights this evening.
- Balladeer children will receive free tickets for rides at the Christmas Village.
- More details to follow; registration will be required!
Reminders
- Please consider downloading the BAND app and joining our private page! When you join, you can see all of our updates about events in real time, send us private messages, share your photos, and more! Email Shawna or Kelly for the link to join.
- Unless explicitly stated, Balladeer events are limited to the team member and those who live in their immediate household with them.
- Please honor your commitments to attend events and notify us if you can’t attend. Failure to notify us can result in attendance limitations for your family in the future.
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.
