Happy Independence Day! Our country is going through its most trying period in my lifetime, so it's more important than ever to celebrate each other and what really makes our country great: freedom, diversity and dogged determination to defy expectations and achieve the extraordinary. We've gotten ourselves into a pretty deep hole, now it's time to dig ourselves out and we need everyone to come together and grab a shovel... but first... let's light up the grill, share a (socially distant) drink, stuff ourselves with hot dogs (veggie options available) and watch some huge explosions in the sky!
Here's my list of Chattanooga's best events to celebrate this July 4th weekend and on through the next:
July 3
Nightfall 2020 Virtual
When: Every Friday / 7:00 pm
Where: Virtual Live Stream
Cost: FREE
Every year I look forward to Nightfall. This weekly summer event is one of my favorite ways to catch up with old friends and meet new ones. Usually hosted in Miller Plaza in downtown Chattanooga, the corona virus has forced a retreat to online streaming. I can't wait until we can leave the 'rona' behind us and get back together in person, but until then, check out Playin' Possum Blues Band and headliner Joanna Connor this Friday, July 3rd @ 7 pm. Playin' Possum Blues Band are lifelong lovers and students of the blues and they always extend their paw out to have a good time! The headliner Joanna Connor will go on at 7:20 PM! From Chicago, IL, Joanna Connor broke onto the scene in the south-side of Chicago and never looked back! Connor has played all over the world with her music stylings of blues, rock, and R&B. For more information and a link to join the stream visit the Nightfall 2020 Events Page on Facebook.
July 3-5
Chattanooga River Market
When: July 3-5 / 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
Where: 1 Broad Street, City of Chattanooga, Tennessee 37402
Cost: FREE (support local vendors)
Located at the foot of the Tennessee Aquarium, the Chattanooga River Market is always awesome. With extra celebrations planned for the July 4th weekend, you don't want to miss it. As always, local vendors provide an outdoor shopping experience featuring local art, jewelry, clothing, photography and more! Area food trucks will be on site as well, so no one leaves with an empty stomach. Plus, don't miss the live music on the Tennessee Aquarium Plaza: Jennifer Daniels Friday/Sunday and Rick Rushing & the Blues Strangers on Saturday! 11am-3:30pm.
July 4
Independence Day Fireworks
When: July 4
Where: Chattanooga Area
Cost: Varies
Due to concerns over the COVID-19 Pandemic many July 4th traditions had to cancel this year, including the annual Pops on the River concert with the Chattanooga Symphony & Opera at Coolidge Park. However, many of our neighbors welcome us to come celebrate with them. If you do decide to go, local municipalities ask that you follow CDC Recommendations to keep you and your neighbors safe and healthy.
Here's a few places you can go to catch "the rockets' red glare and the bombs bursting in air"...: Athens, TN @ Athens Regional Park, 101 Regional Park Drive (closed to traffic); Blue Ridge, GA @ Lake Blue Ridge Marina, 335 Marina Drive, 8:30 p.m. CDT; Cleveland, TN @ Bradley Square Mall, 200 Paul Huff Parkway; Dalton, GA @ Heritage Point Regional Park, 1275 Cross Plains Trail; Dunlap, TN @ Harris Park, 69 Church St.; Guild, TN @ Hales Bar Marina & Resort, 1265 Hales Bar Road; Jasper, TN @ Jasper City Park, Phillips Avenue; LaFayette, GA @ LaFayette Municipal Park, 638 S. Main St.; Lookout Valley, TN @ John A. Patten Recreation Center, 3202 Kellys Ferry Road; Pikeville, TN @ 3100 block of Main Street; Ringgold, GA @ Colonnade at Benton Place, 264 Catoosa Circle
July 10
Ruby Falls Lantern Tours
When: July 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 / 9:00 pm - 10:45 pm
Where: 1720 South Scenic Highway, City of Chattanooga, Tennessee 37409
Cost: $32.95
To me, Ruby Falls is the best Lookout Mountain attraction... or maybe it's The Incline Railway... or was it Rock City... heck, I guess they're all pretty darn cool. Maybe you've been to all three. Maybe you've seen the amazing waterfall descend 26 stories underground at Ruby Falls. Maybe you've even been to the Halloween spectacle at Ruby Falls Haunted Cavern. But have you experienced the wonder of the cavern the way Leo Lambert discovered it in 1928? During this specialty tour, the cavern and falls are illuminated with only hand-held lanterns. Rock formations and shadows take on intriguing dimensions as elite guides share stories exclusive to this tour. Check it out and get your tickets on the Ruby Falls Website.
July 11-12
Tour Frank Lloyd Wright's Shavin House
When: July 11-12 / 2:00 pm - 6:30 pm
Where: 334 N Crest Rd, Chattanooga, TN 37404
Cost: $250 (fully tax deductible)
As many of you know, I love architecture and design. When I first moved to Chattanooga in 2010, I heard whispers of a Frank Lloyd Wright designed house on Missionary Ridge. I looked it up online and tried to drive by to take a look from the outside. Understandably - it being a private home - they had landscaping to block the view. That didn't stop me from doing a bunch of research, finding floor plans, history, and design influences. But, I've always wanted to see it in person... and now I have my chance. The non-profit Frank Lloyd Wright Revival Initiative is making available to the public a tour at the previously, virtually inaccessible Shavin House to raise money for the organizations mission to engage in reconstruction efforts of Frank Lloyd Wright buildings. Tours will be hosted by special guest Karen Shavin, offering house history and stories of growing up in the home. Groups will be limited to 10-12 people. Masks must be worn inside the house at all times. Adult beverages will be served. For more information visit the events page on the Frank Lloyd Wright Revival Initiative website.