This event for the deaf and hearing-impaired community will take place March 15, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., and feature American Sign Language interpreters for keeper chats and animal meet and greets, educational booths, opportunities to learn ASL and giveaways. Zookeepers will host presentations with snow leopards, chimpanzees, sloths and other species and bring out a variety of ambassador animals for up-close encounters. Knoxville Center of the Deaf, Disability Rights TN, Sorenson Communications, Family Voices of Tennessee, Sign Language Studios and Tennessee Schools for the Deaf will be present. Purchase of general admission required.
MARCH 8-APRIL 13
Chattanooga River Market
The market will be open Saturdays 10 a.m.–5 p.m. and Sundays 10 a.m-4 p.m. along the Tennessee Aquarium Plaza. Visitors will find woodworking, jewelry, soaps, candles, handmade apparel, pet items, artisan foods and more. Each day will feature a local food truck and live music.
MARCH 15
Culture on 4
The city of Chattanooga’s Office of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy will present writer and poet Ishmael Reed at 6:30 p.m. on the fourth floor of the Chattanooga Public Library. Reed will engage in a conversation with local entrepreneur Lakweshia Ewing. This event is free and open to the public. Information
MARCH 22
Food Truck Festival
Food Truck Festivals of America will host the Chattanooga Food Truck Festival at Coolidge Park noon-6 p.m. The event will feature more than 20 vendors serving gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches, homemade funnel cakes, wood-fired pizza, smashburgers, fresh lemonade and more. Regional craft beer and other alcoholic beverages will also be on the menu. Activities will include lawn games, face painting, live music and an artisan market. Tickets
MARCH 29
Collegedale Movie Night
Collegedale Airport will screen “Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax” starting at 6:30 p.m. Activities will include yard games and a display of aircraft beginning at 4:30 p.m. Admission is free. Food trucks will be on hand selling local fare. The organizers recommend bringing a chair or blanket. Information: 423 236-5008 or @CollegedaleAirport on Facebook.
APRIL 1
Ken DeFoor presentation
SouthEast Best Real Estate Meetup will host Chattanooga real estate developer Ken DeFoor beginning at 6:15 p.m. DeFoor will offer attendees his insights into real estate investing. There will be no cost to attend the event. Free parking will be available in front of the venue. The Abuelitas Seasons food truck will be on-site serving Mexican cuisine.
APRIL 5
Chattanooga Outdoor Festival
The second annual festival will take place 11 a.m-7 p.m. at the Historic Chattanooga Choo Choo Gardens. Hosted by Outshine Adventures and Nomad Be Happy, the festival will showcase local businesses, nonprofits and conservation organizations during a day of workshops, vendor sales, demos, live music and food. The event is free and open to the public.
APRIL 5
Pickleball Tournament
Bethel Bible Village will host the Bethel Pickleball Tournament 9 a.m.-4 p.m. on the Bethel Bible Village campus at 3001 Hamill Road in Hixson. Round robin pool play will begin at 9 a.m. Pool play will guarantee each team a minimum of four games. Awards will be presented upon the completion of the tournament. Lunch, snacks and water will be provided. Spectators are encouraged to attend. Proceeds will support Bethel programs that serve children ages 11-18. Information
THROUGH APRIL 20
Sea Light Festival
A display of traditional Chinese lanterns will illuminate The Sculpture Fields at Montague Park during the Sea Light Festival. The festival will be open Thursdays through Sundays 5-9 p.m. at 1900 Polk St. The exhibition will consist of hundreds of Chinese lanterns made of modern LED lights combined with traditional lantern frames made from Chinese silk cloth and steel wire. The award-winning Zigong Acrobatic Troupe will perform juggling, balancing and face-changing acts. Food vendors, shops and games will also be on hand. Tickets
APRIL 24
Terrace at Twilight
Hunter Museum of American Art will host a new event featuring cocktails, dancing and costumes on the river terrace. Details coming soon.
MAY 3
Chattaderby
Chattanooga Room in the Inn’s annual Kentucky Derby-themed fundraiser is scheduled for 5-8:30 p.m. at The Signal. Expect cocktails and heavy hors d’oeuvres. Tickets: givebutter.com/c/2025ChattaDerby. Sponsorship information: akoon@chattanoogaroomintheinn.com; 423 713-7059. Room in the Inn provides a six-month residential program for women and children experiencing homelessness.
MAY 8
Girls Inc. Sneaker Gala
Girls Inc.’s Sole Awards recognize individuals who have impacted advocacy, medicine, education and sports. This year’s recipients will be honored at the 2025 Sneaker Gala and Silent Auction at the Chattanooga Convention Center at 6 p.m. The honorees are attorney Melody Shekari for advocacy, Dr. Yvette Stewart for education, Coach Venus Lacy for sports and Dr. Angela Smith Slack for medicine. Shekari is the executive director of The Women’s Fund of Greater Chattanooga. Stewart is the assistant professor and literacy director at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. Lacy is an Olympic gold medalist and the head coach of the Brainerd High School girls’ basketball team. Slack is board-certified and a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics at Children’s Diagnostic Center. Sponsorship information
MAY 18
Scenic City Chorale concert
The Scenic City Chorale will celebrate its 60th year with a spring concert at 3 p.m. at Brainerd United Methodist Church at 4315 Brainerd Road. The program will feature music the chorus has sung throughout its history. SSC began as a small group of volunteer choristers at the downtown Senior Neighbors of Chattanooga. Since that time, it has grown into an ensemble of more than 50 men and women from diverse geographic, economic and social backgrounds.
Readers are invited to submit calendar items to editor@hamiltoncountyherald.com.