SORBA Chattanooga, Hamilton County Parks & Recreation and Outdoor Chattanooga have teamed up to bring modular bike skills features to the Riverwalk near the Hubert Fry Center. These pop-up trail elements offer a fun, accessible space for riders to build confidence and sharpen their bike handling skills. Join Outdoor Chattanooga on-site for special activation days with free access to bikes, volunteers offering tips and optional $10 Intro to Mountain Biking courses that include instruction and bike use. Friday, 5-8 p.m. Free. Riverwalk near Hubert Fry Center, 4301 Amnicola Highway, Chattanooga. Information
SUNDAY, SEPT. 21
International Food Festival
Southern Adventist University’s Student Association hosts its annual International Food Festival, celebrating global culture through cuisine and live performances. Guests can enjoy homemade dishes and family recipes from around the world, student music and bands, and a vibrant community atmosphere. Food tickets will be available for purchase on-site, with proceeds supporting the university’s Student Missions program. Community members are encouraged to wear traditional attire representing their heritage. 4-6 p.m. Free admission; food prices vary. Iles P.E. Center, Southern Adventist University, Collegedale. Information
WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 24
VOICES
Taking place at The Chattanoogan Hotel 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., the Women’s Fund of Greater Chattanooga’s annual luncheon fundraiser will focus on women’s health, access to quality care and the impact of policy on community well-being. Dr. Shae Connor and Stacy Martin will be the featured speakers. Connor, a board-certified and fellowship-trained gynecologic oncologist at UT Erlanger Women’s Oncology, specializes in disparities in health care and quality improvement initiatives. Martin is a national advocate for stomach cancer awareness, genetic testing and hereditary cancer prevention. After learning she carried the rare CDH1 genetic mutation, she made the lifesaving decision to undergo a preventive total gastrectomy in 2019. Today, she works across the country to advance research, shape policy and strengthen resources for the hereditary cancer community. Purchase tickets
THURSDAY, SEPT. 25
Wine & Dine Benefiting Special Olympics Tennessee
Enjoy an elegant evening of food and philanthropy as top Chattanooga chefs present expertly crafted dishes paired with select wines, all in support of Special Olympics Tennessee athletes from the Chattanooga region. The event, presented by Summers, Rufolo & Rodgers, offers a lively atmosphere, great company and a meaningful cause. 6-9 p.m. $50. Chattanooga Whiskey Event Hall, 890 Riverfront Parkway, Chattanooga. Information/tickets
FRIDAY, SEPT. 26
Bacon & Barrel Festival
Taking place at the First Horizon Pavilion, this event will feature an evening of bacon-inspired dishes and a wide selection of barrel-aged spirits. Local restaurants will compete for top honors with their best savory and sweet bacon-infused creations. Attendees can sample dishes from more than 20 participating eateries, sip a curated selection of bourbons and whiskeys and cast their vote for the best bite of the night. Live bluegrass music and meet-and-greets with distillers will complement the tasting experience. Participating restaurants include 423 Taco, Bad Daddy’s, Big Bad Breakfast, Burger Republic, Civil Provisions, Clever Alehouse, Common Table, Drake’s, Harry’s, Hoppy’s North River Corner Market, Jack Brown’s Beer and Burger Joint, Kai Bistro, Kinley Chattanooga, Mike’s Hole in the Wall, Nic & Norman’s, Puckett’s, Ruby Sunshine, Southside Social, The Bitter Alibi, The Daily Ration, The Edwin Hotel, The Grove at DoubleTree and Whiskey Cowgirl. Tickets include unlimited samples of bacon-themed dishes and 12 whiskey tastings. Additional beer, wine and full-size cocktails will be available for purchase. The event is open to guests ages 21 and over; a valid ID and ticket are required for entry. Tickets
THROUGH OCT. 31
Rock City’s Enchanted Pumpkin Patch
Rock City introduces this new fall celebration filled with giant pumpkin displays, spooky decor and family fun. Guests can explore thousands of hand-carved pumpkins, a hay bale maze, and activities such as pumpkin painting and facepainting. Weekends bring a petting zoo and magic shows, while live music features fiddler Owen Saunders on Wednesdays and banjo picker Matt Downer most other days. Seasonal treats range from campfire s’mores and funnel cakes with cinnamon apples to Pumpkin Spice Fudge and festive fall drinks. 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Sundays-Thursdays, 10 a.m.-10:30 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays. Walk-up tickets: Adults: $43, Children (ages 3-12): $33. Rock City, 1400 Patten Road, Lookout Mountain, Georgia. Information/tickets
SATURDAY, SEPT. 27
Scenic Stitches Spectacle
Coolidge Park will transform into a giant fiber arts playground as the community explores oversize weaving, arm knitting and other large-scale textile crafts 1-5 p.m. Free and family-friendly, the festival will feature hands-on stations where visitors can experiment with unconventional fiber art tools such as cross-stitching with cording instead of thread. Local fiber artists will offer live demonstrations, an artist market and food vendors. The event will also debut a colorful yarn bombing installation where crocheted creations are temporarily stitched to park fixtures like trees, benches and bike racks.
THURSDAY, OCT. 2
Blueprints for the Future
Habitat for Humanity of Greater Chattanooga will debut a reimagined version of its signature fundraiser 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the First Horizon Pavilion. The evening will feature remarks from University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Mocs men’s basketball head coach Dan Earl and a keynote address from former Kansas City Chiefs safety Eric Berry. Berry is a two-time Hall of Fame inductee and Hodgkin lymphoma survivor. Proceeds will support Habitat Chattanooga’s mission of expanding affordable homeownership. Sponsorships are available. Information