The Balladeer Children’s Program had some big fun in September, highlighted by the always popular Dollywood Day.
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.
September events
Fender’s Farm – Sept. 12
- Fender’s Farm – Almost 600 people visited Fender’s Farm for our private event, which gave Balladeer families an exclusive first look at Fender’s Farm for the new season. Balladeer children and their parents were given free admission
- Event included a corn maze, wagon and hayrides, a cow trin, the animal barn/petting zoo, a Play and Adventure Zone, U-pick flower garden and more!
- Homemade sweets and popcorn were available, and face painting was offered.
Dollywood Day – Sept. 19
- Almost 600 Balladeer children participated in Dollywood Day, with a total guest count of almost 1,300 (parents, friends, other family members).The weather was beautiful for our first time visiting in the fall
- Balladeer children received free admission plus a $10 meal voucher to use at any food stand/concession inside.
- Families got to enjoy the first weekend of Dollywood’s Great Pumpkin LumiNights, which is part of their annual Harvest Festival, which featured more than 12,000 illuminated and carved pumpkins, a 40-foot-tall pumpkin tree, a glowing owl hideaway and more!
- Dollywood also surprised us with a limited number of free tickets to Splash Country for the last weekend of the season!
Dollywood Day will continue to be a one-day only event, but we’d love to have your input for next year. Click the link to vote on which date works best for you and your family in 2027! NOTE: One vote per household. Click here to vote on the Dollywood Day 2027 Poll
Event photos
Fender’s Farm
Dollywood Day
Upcoming events
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!
- NOTE: Registration has closed.
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.
