The ninth annual National Treasures at Point Park, which will benefit the Friends of Chickamauga & Chattanooga National Military Park, is scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 24 from 5:30-8:30 p.m. The evening will include live music, a buffet dinner and complimentary drinks.
This year’s theme is “Celebrate YOUR Park.” Guests will gather inside Point Park to stroll the paths, learn about the park’s history from National Park Rangers and listen to The Power Players perform at the base of the New York Peace Monument.
In addition, Umbrella Rock will be open for guests to take selfies. (Umbrella Rock remains closed during the year and is open only for this event.) Also, over 50 items will be available for bidding in a silent auction, and memorabilia and artifacts from local collector and Friends of the Park board president, Dr. Anthony Hodges, will be on display.
Funds raised will further the Friends of the Park’s mission to maintain, repair and promote the military Park and interpret the historic and cultural features spread across its 9,100 acres.
Yearly allocations from the National Park Service cover the park’s basic operations and a fraction of the maintenance and educational program costs. The Friends of the Park help to bridge that gap by making additional programming and community partnerships possible and managing a fund for landscape and monument restoration.
Tickets are $75 each or $130 per couple. Information: 423 648-5623, www.friendsofchch.org. The deadline for purchasing tickets is Aug. 17.
Minick reads from first novel
The Southern Lit Alliance will host author Jim Minick for a reading from his debut novel, “Fire is Your Water,” Sunday, Aug. 27, 2 p.m.
Minick is the author of five books. His memoir, “The Blueberry Years: A Memoir of Farm and Family,” won the Southern Independent Booksellers Association Award for Best Nonfiction Book of the Year.
“Fire is Your Water” examines the mystical beliefs of the Pennsylvania Dutch. It tells the story of Ada Franklin, a woman who is seemingly blessed with the power to heal through only her words and faith – until a close brush with death shakes her faith in God and robs her of her healing abilities.
It is then that she meets Will Burk, an agnostic, and his talking raven, Cicero.
The reading will be held in the Arts Building at 301 East 11th St. in downtown Chattanooga. Tickets are $10 per guest. Reservations: www.SouthernLitAlliance.org, Lynda LeVan at (423) 777-4221.
7 Bridges Marathon registration
Registration is currently open for the 7 Bridges Marathon, Oct. 16 in Chattanooga. The full 26.2-mile marathon will take runners across the Tennessee River six times and by such landmarks such as the Tennessee Aquarium, AT&T field and Creative Discovery Museum. They will run through the Art district, Hunter Museum and historic Walnut Street Bridge and finish in front of the Chattanooga Theatre in Coolidge Park.
Unlike many other runs, 7 Bridges uses cutting-edge disposable bib-chip timing technology with access to instant kiosk results. Instant internet results and text messaging are available to athletes. Entry fee is $105. For more information visit www.sevenbridgesmarathon.com.
Extended Cavern Experience
The Extended Cavern Experience, an in-depth tour of Ruby Falls, will continue with once-a-month special tour days through December. Upcoming tour dates are Aug. 10, Sept. 10, Oct. 10, Nov. 12 and Dec. 10. All tours begin at 8 a.m.
Each tour allows extra time to explore the cave and waterfall, and there is enough time for photos. The event is led by expert tour guides who provide additional information and storytelling about the iconic destination. Ruby Falls is at 1720 S Scenic Hwy. Adults tickets are $29.95 and children (ages 3-12) are $17.95.
Cambridge Square Night Market
The Cambridge Square Night Market in Ooltewah continues every Friday night, 6-9 p.m. through September 27. The event provides a family-friendly destination during the summer nights and an array of live music on the square.
Attendees can enjoy local restaurants and shop artisan markets for handmade arts and crafts. Admission and parking are free. Families are welcome.