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JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (WJHL) – This weekend, Founders Park became a lively hub as it hosted the 13th annual Thirsty Orange Festival, drawing thousands of eager attendees. The event, a beloved tradition, unites an impressive array of breweries from across the region, featuring both seasoned professionals and passionate local home brewers.
The festival showcased more than 50 breweries and vendors, offering a tantalizing mix of well-loved classics and innovative new flavors. With over 150 different beers and ciders to sample, visitors were treated to a rich tapestry of tastes, each promising a unique experience in every sip.
Gypsy Circus Cider Company took the spotlight as the premiere sponsor of this year’s event. Ben Smith, the company’s Head of Operations, proudly introduced a new flavor to the festival’s lineup—a pear cider, among other offerings. This addition exemplifies the festival’s spirit of creativity and experimentation that keeps enthusiasts returning year after year.
This year’s event premiere sponsor was Gypsy Circus Cider Company.
Head of Operations, Ben Smith, said they brought a new flavor release this year called pear cider, among others.
“Right now is our strawberry Queen of swords, which is a play on our traditional Queen of swords. Lights. A whole different, flavor profile. Strawberry shortcake. And then we also have a big one, apple butter,” Smith said.
Of the thousands of visitors who turned out, many were saying this year’s crowd topped previous festivals.
“I’ve been coming to this since 2017, and this is probably the best atmosphere I’ve seen at the festival,” a local visitor said.
Co-Founder of Xul Beer Company based out of Knoxville, Seth Thacker, said they made the trip to connect with new customers and showcase their latest creations.
“Just getting the opportunity to meet new people and see smiling faces, make new connections with other people, like other breweries and stuff,” Thacker said. “we’re serving a hazy IPA, a fruited sour, by Gary Copper. And then another sour. That’s PBJ mixtape, which is kind of what we’ve become known for. Since we get a lot of people looking and asking for that one all the time.”
Another brewery in attendance was Yee Haw Brewing Company. Head Brewer, Dan Rowe, said the festival drives the community.
“This festival always means a lot to us,” Rowe said. “It brings a lot of people together that otherwise wouldn’t be able to taste, you know, beverages from the Tri-Cities area. And it’s always a huge hit. Beautiful weather, beautiful people. I love doing this.”
Attendees received three tickets to vote for their favorite brews, with local flavors drawing support.
“The home brews. Yes, we love locally brewed everything here,” a group of visitors said.
Co-founder of the Thirsty Orange Festival, Stephanie Carson started the festival with her husband years ago. Carson said it’s more than just sampling drinks, but about supporting a growing local industry.
“Seeing festivals happening in other parts of the country and knowing that there were valuable breweries and ciders here in this region that deserve the recognition,” Carson said. “For us, it was really about the education of the market. We’re really hoping that people leave this with a greater appreciation for the local homebrewers and cider makers.”
The winners of the 2026 Thirsty Orange Festival are listed below:
Non Beer 2nd Place – Bee Berry Blue by Cobern Rasnick
Non Beer 1st Place – Mango Cider by Martin Siler
Beer 2nd Place – Limeale by Kirill Avdyukov
Beer 1st Place – Funking Hell by Myron Woods
Best Dessert Beer – Funking Hell by Myron Woods
Best Homebrewery Lineup – Myron Woods at Slammin Ethyl
Best Commercial Brewery – 6ix Grist and Grind from Kingsport, TN and soon to be JC, TN