AVA opens renovated gallery
The Association for Visual Arts will host the grand reopening of its newly renovated gallery on Friday, July 1 from 5:30 p.m.-10 p.m. The renovations include a new window stage, new gallery and exhibit lighting, custom hanging installation fixtures, a custom-built reception area, a sound system, and more. The event is free and open to the public. AVA is located at 30 Frazier Ave.
Pops on the River
The 2016 Pops on the River Independence Day celebration will take place Sunday, July 3 in Coolidge Park. Entertainment will start at 5 p.m. with a tribute to veterans featuring war stories and a show debuting Operation Song’s new album, which showcases songwriting by Chattanooga veterans. (For more information about Operation Song, visit www.operationsong.org.) At 8 p.m., the Chattanooga Symphony & Opera will begin its patriotic program featuring “Armed Forces Salute,” “Colonel Bogey’s March,” “Stars and Stripes Forever,” and “1812 Overture.” The symphony will be conducted by Kayoko Dan, and the program will feature an appearance by the bluegrass band Dismembered Tennesseans. The fireworks display, shot from neighboring Renaissance Park, will begin upon the conclusion of the symphony’s performance. A variety of food, beer, and non-alcoholic drink concessions will be available on site. The public is invited to bring lawn chairs and blankets. Coolidge Park will be closed to vehicular traffic at 4:30 p.m. on the day of the show. Free shuttle service will be running from the Republic parking lots between 4th and 5th Streets from 4:30-11:00 p.m. Shuttle pickup and drop off on the north side of the river will be near the Chattanooga Theatre Centre, at the intersection of Tremont and River Streets.
Celebrate July 4 at Jewish Cultural Center
The Jewish Federation of Greater Chattanooga invites the Chattanooga community to celebrate Independence Day with an indoor, air-conditioned picnic on Monday, July 4 at 11:30 a.m. at the Jewish Cultural Center, located at 5461 North Terrace Road. Area blues musician Dr. Clark White will headline the event along with his Chattanooga All Stars band. There will be chicken on the grill and plenty of summer sides and desserts. Vegetarian meals will be available if requested in advance. For ticket prices and to RSVP, call (423) 493-0270, extension 10, or email rsvp@jewishchattanooga.com.
Virginia College BBQ competition
Virginia College will host a BBQ competition on Saturday, July 9 from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Hosted in partnership with the Chattanooga chapter of the American Culinary Federation (ACF), the competition will be held at the Virginia College campus, located at 721 Eastgate Loop. The event will be open to the public, and will feature live music and activities for children and families. ACF will be providing food for sale at the event. The proceeds will benefit the Zion Project, an organization that works to stop human trafficking in the Chattanooga area. The Zion Project also helps victims rebuild their lives. Representatives from the Zion Project will be at the event to share information about the organization.
Chattanooga Heroes Run/Walk
Chattanooga was changed forever following the tragic shootings at the Armed Services Recruiting Center on Lee Highway and the U.S. Naval Operational Support Center and Marine Corps Reserve Center on Amnicola Highway last July 16. One year later, thousands of supporters will participate in the Chattanooga Heroes Run/Walk to honor and remember those who lost their lives as well as the hundreds of responders who worked to protect the city. The Chattanooga Heroes Run/Walk, presented by Erlanger’s Level One Trauma Center, will take place on Saturday, July 16 beginning at 8 a.m. The event will feature a five-mile run or walk that will begin on Amnicola Highway at the Naval Operational Support Center and Marine Corps Reserve Center, follow part of the path EMS took down Amnicola Highway, connect to the Tennessee RiverPark, wind through University of Tennessee at Chattanooga campus, and end on 5th Street. Participant and spectator busing will begin at 6 a.m. at the corner of Palmetto and Fifth Streets. Volunteers are needed to assist with pre-run bag packing, set up, race activities, and post-run clean up. For more information, including how to volunteer or register for the event, visit www.chattanoogaheroesrun.com. The families of Gunnery Sgt. Thomas Sullivan, Staff Sgt. David Wyatt, Sgt. Carson Holmquist, Lance Cpl. Squire K. Wells, and Logistics Specialist 2nd Class Randall Smith have chosen to use the proceeds from this event to fund the construction of a permanent memorial at the Tennessee RiverPark.
Running of the Derby Bulls
The American Cancer Society (ACS) is hosting a fun run in conjunction with the Chattanooga Roller Girls (CRG) Saturday, July 23 at 8 a.m. Runners (and walkers) will be encouraged to evade roller derby “bulls” down a closed portion of McCallie and Holtzclaw in Chattanooga. The money raised will go to the local chapter of the ACS. Although this is not a timed run, the event will end around 11 a.m. to allow for an awards ceremony. For more information, or to inquire about sponsoring this event, contact Chrissy Seals at Chrissy.seals@cancer.org, or Jessie Gantt at media@ChattanoogaRollerGirls.com.