May 4
Armed Forces Day Parade
The 2012 Armed Forces Day Parade will be held downtown and include participants from military service units, area veterans groups, high school bands, patriotic organizations and others. Time: 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Place: Market Street.
May 4-6
Pet Adopt-A-Thon
The Humane Educational Society, along with many other dedicated animal organizations, are working hard to save the lives of homeless dogs and cats. On May 4-6, HES along with six other organizations will unite for the LARGEST PET ADOPTION event Chattanooga has seen! They will be gathering at Petsmart on Gunbarrel Road for a HUGE Adopt-A-Thon. Each day there will be over 100 animals on location waiting for you to fall in love with them. The goal for the weekend is 250 adoptions. Times: Friday from noon to 8 p.m.; Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; and Sunday from noon to 6 p.m.
May 5
3 State/3 Mountain Challenge
Hailed by cyclists as the most unique century they have ridden, this event draws athletes from all over for a 100-mile, 62-mile or 25-mile route over three mountains in three states. For more information, call (706) 820-1157 or visit www.chattbike.com.
May 6
Chattanooga Market
The Chattanooga Market is geared up for another season with a full events calendar and an abundance of vendors. The selection of fresh produce will be plentiful, with agriculture coming from over 5,000 acres of local and regional farms. Categories such as fresh meats, cheeses, pastas, breads and other farm goods including eggs have grown over the past two years. Arts and crafts such as photography, canvas art, sculpture, jewelry, soaps, gourmet foods and many other categories will rotate each week to keep the offerings unique. Live music will be featured on the EPB stage every Sunday featuring popular local artists. The Chattanooga Market is a free event offering patrons a day of fellowship, entertainment and an opportunity to support their local economy.
May 7
Free Organ Concert
Organist Robert Delcamp and the CSO Youth Orchestra will present a joint program on this day. The program is one of three concerts this year sponsored by the Chattanooga Music Club that will feature the Auditorium’s restored 1924 Austin concert pipe organ. The highlight of the program will be the performance of Alexandre Guilmant’s organ concerto Sonata 1, Symphony 1, Opus 42. Dr. Delcamp is Professor of Music at the University of the South in Sewanee, where he is university urganist and choirmaster at All Saints Chapel. He has performed throughout the country and is regularly featured on Michael Barone’s radio program, “Pipedreams.” Admission is free. Donations are welcome.
May 9
Street Smarts Cycling Seminar
Learn the rules of the road, State of Tennessee and City of Chattanooga bicycle laws, and a few easy tips for riding your bicycle confidently in traffic in this Outdoor Chattanooga seminar. Participants will also have the option of going on a practice ride – bicycle and helmet required. Meet at Outdoor Chattanooga in Coolidge Park at 6 p.m. To learn more, call (423) 643-6888.
May 11
Nightfall concert series starts
The Nightfall Concert Series will begin its 24th year of summer musical programming with a headline show by Alexis P. Suter Band. The opening act will be Ashley & The X’s. The free show will begin at 7 p.m. on the River City Stage at Miller Plaza Sept. 7. Recently nominated as Best Soul Blues Female Artist, Suter has a deep baritone voice that catches some folks off guard. Among her biggest fans are B.B. King and Levon Helm, with Suter regularly playing at Helm’s Ramble shows in Woodstock, N.Y. Beer, wine, food and non-alcoholic drink concessions are available on site. No outside food or beverages are allowed.
May 16
Small Business Survival Stories
The Tennessee Small Business Development Center and The Company Lab will host the first of its “Experience Talks” year-long seminar series on this day. Beginning at 11:30 a.m. and concluding at 1 p.m., local small business owners will share their stories of struggle and success and answer questions in an open forum. The event will take place at Camp House, located at 1427 Williams Street. It will be free, open to the public and include lunch. To register, call (423) 756-8668 or visit TSBDC.org.
May 20-26
National Public Works Week
Join the City of Chattanooga’s Public Works Department as it celebrates National Public Works Week. National Public Works Week is a celebration of the men and women in North America who provide and maintain infrastructure and services collectively known as Public Works. There will be a hands-on exhibit of the vehicles the Public Works Department uses on May 20 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Coolidge Park. There will be educational exhibits on the local Public Works Department as well as a display of specialized equipment on May 23 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Miller Plaza Pavilion.