Editorial
Front Page - Friday, December 17, 2010
River City Roundabout
Mainly Memories
Erica Tuggle
Chattanooga’s revitalization in the past 20 years is something the community enjoys taking pride in and reflecting on in the progress that the addition of arts, new architecture and city-wide initiatives has had on improving our town as a safe and enjoyable place to live. One of the recent success stories is Main Street on Chattanooga’s Southside, and as part of the celebration of this street’s progress, the MainX24 event has occurred for the past four years.
MainX24 is a block party to end all block parties. It incorporates the Southside artisans, shops, restaurants and community members beyond the borders of Main Street in a 24-hour event of epic and anticipated proportions. Part of what makes this event the to-be place during its Saturday to Sunday morning duration is the memorable activities that return each year.
The pancake breakfast at the Main Street fire hall is an early morning tradition worth an early rise. During the rainy and cold MainX24 event this year, entering the fire hall to the waiting hot chocolate and coffee was a welcome sight. Then, for $5 to benefit Battle Academy, you seat yourself and are served as many hot, fluffy pancakes as your heart desires. You might be sharing a table with Mayor Ron Littlefield, or with a friendly couple who has just moved to Chattanooga, and as you eat your pancakes, you will be able to enjoy the real people of your community in a way that is not the least bit awkward and is so hard to find at many events. I truly enjoyed my breakfast companions and the pancakes were superb.
After the pancake breakfast, there was so many directions to go. With storefronts open and offering shoppers holiday deals on one-of-a-kind art items for that someone in your family who has everything and Neidlov’s filling the air around their shop with the delectable smell of crispy and satisfying lard fried doughnuts, it was hard to know where to start.
At 11 a.m., amidst a brief drizzle, the EPB Southside Par-ade began. It seems to be a universal truth that everyone loves a parade, but just in case, the Southside Parade has enough personality, candor and beauty to appeal to adults as much as the children who are scrambling for candy thrown from the passing floats.
Some of the more memorable passersby in the par-
ade were the riders of the racing
lawnmower association. There was also a portion of the parade that was a line of various Volks-wagen models including the classic “bug,” the VW van from the ’70s and other models decorated with antlers and Santa hats.
One of the most amusing aspects of the parade, and another welcome tradition, is the Mutt Strut. In this portion of the parade, dogs of all sizes, colors and breeds are led by their owners the length of Main Street. This is a way for the DOGood organization to get its name out there as well and show that responsible dog ownership can make viewing dogs in public places a fun event for everyone.
The dogs in their parade walk were friendly and tried to greet everyone they passed. A palm-sized terrier furiously strutted to keep up with the parade queue as his opposite in the canine family, a massive Irish wolfhound, dragged his owner ahead to keep up with three English bulldogs having the time of their life.
Karate students kicking out at the parade audience, miniature cheerleaders and the booming sounds of the Howard High School band were also on hand. There was something for everyone to see, as Santa Claus brought up the rear end of the parade in a horse and carriage, thus signaling the official start of the holidays.
An unusual event right after the parade was a race of some kind where individuals dressed in everything from a hippie costume, to a pumpkin, to Winnie-the-Pooh and many other weird get-ups raced the length of Main Street and back. I don’t know what it was all about, but it sure was fun to watch.
After the parade, Zarzours Café was open for lunch, Santa Claus headed to the Choo-Choo for pictures, the World HeavyWeight Chili Championship began, dancing was all around and the iGNiS Glass Studio was offering the opportunity to blow your own glass ornament. Later, there was an old-fashioned cakewalk at Chrysalis on 14th Street and a fashion show featuring an undead Jack Skellington Santa, Edward Scissorhands and looks from the yesteryear at the Choo-Choo gardens.
The party continued into the night, with carols being sung and festivities all around. One thing the event made clear was that the holidays are officially here, and Main Street is officially awesome.
Contact Erica Tuggle at reporter@hamiltoncountyherald.com.
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