Time to Get Festive

From strawberries to dragon boats, there’s something for every family

by Janis Hashe

Coolidge Park rocked with Bob Dorough, the original creator of the Schoolhouse Rock series. Mayor Ron Littlefield and his wife Lanis ceelbrated the day with feature performer Bob Dorough.

“Kids not only love watching the dramatic dragon boats slither through the water, but can take advantage of music and activities onshore.”

“You never know who you’ll see at Who-Fest, with its eclectic blend of outsider and folk art and music.”

Spring has officially sprung, and along with flowers, burgeoning trees and an impending sense of yard work to come arrives the season of festivals in the Scenic City. Throughout late spring and summer, a plethora of family-friendly events make a fun day’s out a sure thing. Here’s a list (by no means exhaustive) of some of the don’t-misses to mark on your calendar now.

“Strawberries are the sign that summer is almost here. The first fruit harvest in the local growing season is a delicious way to celebrate warmer weather.”

The new Chattanooga River Market got a head start on spring by opening March 19. Sister to the Sunday Market, it takes places on the plaza of the Tennessee Aquarium from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (will open at 9 a.m. during peak growing season), and, like its sibling, offers produce, crafts and live music. Paul Smith, who manages both markets, says, “It makes for a great fun day for parents and children. The moms can shop and what kid does not like playing in the water around the Aquarium and the Passage?”

The Sunday Chattanooga Market, which is celebrating its 10^th anniversary, opens May 1 this year, and, of course, every day is family friendly at the Market. Paul points to a few Sundays when kids are king:

“There is no day better than the Chattanooga Market Strawberry Festival (May 15). Strawberries are the sign that summer is almost here. The first fruit harvest in the local growing season is a delicious way to celebrate warmer weather.

“Kids in the Kitchen, a Junior League Event, is a new one,” he says. “It will feature ways to connect kids to fresh and healthy foods.” (May 22).

“Chattanoggins (June 26) is also a great kid-friendly event. A Signal Mountain Middle School boy named Jack Skowronnek is heading up a head-shaving event to benefit Children’s Hospital at Erlanger’s cancer foundation,” Paul reports. “There will be several local folks (including me) that shave their heads to raise money.” Now that we have to see!
“The Ice Cream Social (July 10), benefiting the Chambliss Shelter/Children’s Home, will feature local ice creameries in a ‘Best of Chattanooga Ice Cream Contest’. Always a great hit and a wonderful way to cool the hot summer days.”
Visit www.chattanoogamarket.com for a complete list of what’s on each week at both Markets.

Cornbread lovers’ eyes (and stomachs) will turn once again toward South Pittsburg April 30-May 1 as the National Cornbread Festival returns. Not only is there cornbread-based food everywhere, including at the famous Cook Off, but a carnival and a special Children’s Corner ensure a welcome for all ages. www.nationalcornbread.com

On May 5-7, Cindy Pinion and about 100 volunteers welcome music lovers back to the Boxcar Pinion Memorial Bluegrass Festival at the Raccoon Mountain campground. Named for Cindy’s late father, this event has been family friendly from the very beginning 18 years ago. “It’s like a big family reunion anyway,” says Cindy. “We don’t charge for children under 15, so it’s very affordable.” Attendees often come and camp out for the entire festival, and home-style food is available for sale. As to whether kids enjoy the local-to-international bluegrass acts that play the festival, she says, “If you want to see happy, just watch a child listening to bluegrass. They can’t keep still—they want to dance.”

“If you want to see happy, just watch a child listening to bluegrass. They can’t keep still—they want to dance.”

This year’s event will also feature an arts and crafts area, in addition to acts including (among many) The Grascals, Slim Pickins and the East Dixie Boys. www.boxcarforeverbluegrass.com

A fundraising event that becomes more popular each year is the Children’s Hospital Dragon Boat Festival (May 21). This year, it will take place at the TVA Park at Chickamauga Dam. Kids not only love watching the dramatic dragon boats slither through the water, but can take advantage of music and activities onshore. Maybe your family would like to sponsor a boat—funds raised go to help kids. www.kintera.org

Who are you? Perhaps you and the kids will find out at this year’s Who-Fest in Renaissance Park May 28-29. You never know who you’ll see at Who-Fest, with its eclectic blend of outsider and folk art and music (also a little sliding down the park’s famous hill is in order). This year, Chattanooga Parent is a co-sponsor and will provide activities just for kids (see info in sidebar.)

The other popular free music series, Riverfront Nights, kicks off June 10 at 7 p.m. with Los Straitjackets, who will also be playing at Riverbend. The surf rockers who wear Mexican wrestling masks will be a likely draw for families, and this Saturday series at Ross’s Landing is a pleasant way to spend a warm summer evening. www.riverfrontnights.com

Of course, the Granddaddy of all Chattanooga festivals, Riverbend, returns this year June 10-18. Pretty much everyone knows that not all Riverbend entertainment is suitable for kids, but headliners Huey Lewis & the News and the Beach Boys will undoubtedly attract many families. This year, the popular Faith & Family Night will feature award-winning Christian rockers Casting Crowns on June 15. www.riverbendfestival.com
For many Chattanooga families, a yearly tradition is a trek to Coolidge Park to see the Chattanooga Symphony & Orchestra present Pops on the River. The free concert on July 3 always features Sousa marches, several chances to sing along, and that Chattanooga summer must—fireworks! www.chattanoogasymphony.org

Sneak Peek at Fall

Festival season is by no means over with August. Here are three favorites, two established, one returning for a second year after a huge launch.

Hamilton County Fair: Old-fashioned fun for everyone, with animals, entertainment and, of course, food at Chester Frost Park. September 24 and 25; www.hamilton.gov/fair

Three Sisters Music Festival: This free event at Ross’s Landing is another favorite for bluegrass fans. As it’s an evening event, families will likely find the earlier acts a better fit, especially if your kids are young. September 30 and October 1; www.3sistersbluegrass.com

River Rocks: In an already-packed festival schedule, River Rocks made room for itself in a big way last year, featuring everything from hot-air balloons to wacky events such as kayakers doing aerial tricks. Our prediction is that this year will be even bigger, and even more attractive for the whole family. September 30-October 9; www.riverrockschattanooga.com

Sidebar: Chattanooga Parent Picks

The events below are ones that we here at Chattanooga Parent present or co-sponsor. Hope to see you there!

April 23: Outdoor Chattanooga Expo & Rock/Creek Gear Swap/Summer Camp Expo
From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. the entire park celebrates Chattanooga, its outdoor experiences and its families.  The Outdoor Chattanooga Expo and Rock/Creek Gear Swap bring outdoor enthusiasts, clubs, organizations and outfitters to the park to share their information and their stuff.
Chattanooga Parent sponsors the Summer Camp Expo, bringing games, summer camp programs, inflatables and activities.  The Rolling Video Game bus will be open to provide kids with an exciting gaming experience and the Department of Parks and Recreation will provide obstacle courses, games, contests and more on this day with fun for everyone.  If you haven’t booked your children for summer camp programs this is the place to be!

May 22: Kids in the Kitchen at the Chattanooga Market (see above also)

Kids in the Kitchen is a free event that targets children (K-5th) and parents to promote education on healthy lifestyles, including cooking, nutrition, and exercise. Activities will include educational games, physical activities (yoga and Pilates), chef demonstrations, and healthy snack ideas. Chattanooga Parent will bring summer camp vendors, games and fun, family activities.

May 28, 29:  Who-Fest (see above also)

Chattanooga Parent partners with Winder Binder Gallery of Folk Art to present the Who-Fest Folk Art Festival on May 28 and 29 at Renaissance Park on the NorthShore.  The festival is produced by Winder Binder in collaboration with the Who Ha Da Da Artist Fellowship and the Shaking Ray Levi Society.

Originally produced in Atlanta, Who-Fest moved to Chattanooga in 2007. The festival attracts nearly 100 local, regional and national artists and provides the unique opportunity to meet and purchase directly from artists that specialize in folk, outsider, visionary, and self-taught art, including painting, glass, metalworking, sculpture, jewelry, pottery, furniture and textiles.  Chattanooga Parent will provide games, kids’ activities and opportunities for families to learn about the resources available in Chattanooga.