Celebrations of food abound with bacon and whiskey, taco and food truck festivals all taking place this weekend. Of course, there's plenty more going on, including the opening of the Hunter Museum of American Art's latest exhibition and Imax screenings of "Barbie." For seasonal events, check out this year's Chattanooga Times Free Press fall festival guide. Otherwise, here's this weekend's chronology.
ARTS
— Photographic Society of Chattanooga continues its fall/holiday show at the Gallery at Blackwell, 71 Eastgate Loop. Society members will have their work displayed, and prints will be available for purchase. Gallery hours are 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Monday-Friday. The show will conclude Jan. 5. Learn more at chattanoogaphoto.org.
— Mountain Arts Guild continues its exhibition "Things of the Heart" in the Exum Gallery at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 305 W. Seventh St. The exhibition features paintings and ceramics created by local senior artists. The exhibition will run through Oct. 29. Gallery hours are 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday, closed Saturday and 8 a.m.-noon Sunday. Learn more at stpaulschatt.org.
— Jewish Cultural Center, 5461 North Terrace, continues its exhibition "Vocabulary," featuring the work of 27 local and national artists. The works featured in the exhibition use different vocabularies and dialogues in different artistic mediums to engage with viewers and other artists. Gallery hours are 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday. The exhibition will run through Nov. 30. Learn more at jewishchattanooga.com.
— Institute of Contemporary Art Chattanooga continues its exhibition "When the World's On Fire" by artist Kevin McNamee-Tweed at the UTC Fine Arts Center, 752 Vine St. The exhibition features more than 40 new ceramic paintings and other works by McNamee-Tweed. The exhibition will run through Oct. 21. The gallery is free and open to the public. Gallery hours are 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday and noon-4 p.m. Saturday. Learn more at icachatt.org.
— In-Town Gallery, 26A Frazier Ave., continues its exhibition "Earth Crush," featuring the sculptures of Denice Bizot. Primarily working with metals, Bizot is noted for her use of found materials and freewheeling sense of design to create abstract pieces. The exhibition will run through Sept. 30. Gallery hours are 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Saturday and noon-5 p.m. Sunday. Learn more at intowngallery.com.
— Hunter Museum of American Art, 10 Bluff View, will host an opening for its latest exhibition "Gilded: Contemporary Artists Explore Value and Worth" from 6-7:30 p.m. Thursday. The exhibition explores the use of gold leaf in contemporary artworks to question and challenge what people value and why. The opening will include a guided tour by Emily Stamey, the exhibition curator, offering behind-the-scenes insights. Regular admission of $20 applies; members and children 17 and under get in free. Learn more at huntermuseum.org.
MUSIC
— Reflection Riding, 400 Garden Road, will host its Campfire Concert Series with a performance by Bluesfrog and The Georgia Rhythm Crickets at 6 p.m. Friday. Tickets for nonmembers cost $35 and include admission, beer and s'mores. A camping add-on can be purchased for an additional $10, allowing attendees to camp in the Reflection Riding field after the concert. Attendees are encouraged to bring chairs and blankets for seating. Learn more at reflectionriding.org.
— Barrelhouse Ballroom, 1501 Long St., will have two shows this weekend. At 9 p.m. Friday, Peachtree Entertainment will present Lakeview with Rowdy Henson; tickets cost $15 in advance or $18 the day of show. At 9 p.m. Saturday, Kings of Queen with The Essentials will perform; tickets cost $22 in advance or $25 the day of show. Learn more at barrelhouseballroom.com.
— Songbirds, 35 Station St., will host a show with Lil' Ed and The Blues Imperials at 7 p.m. Sunday. This band with a decadeslong career will perform their signature Chicago-style blues. Tickets cost $25 in advance or $28 the day of show. Learn more at songbirdsfoundation.org.
OUT & ABOUT
— UTC English Department will host the Meacham Writers' Workshop featuring several events from Thursday-Saturday at multiple locations on and off campus. This free, public program consists of readings, panels and workshops featuring visiting writers from across the nation as well as local, faculty and student writers. Some events require registration. For a full list of this year's events, visit the program's page on utc.edu.
— Bacon and Barrel Festival will be from 6:30-9:30 p.m. Thursday at First Horizon Pavilion, 1801 Reggie White Blvd. Enjoy a variety of bacon-themed foods from local restaurants and barrel-aged spirits from around the world. Tickets cost $44 and include unlimited food samples and 15 whiskey samples. There will be live music, photo opportunities and more. This event supports the Chattanooga Market. Learn more at chattanoogafestivals.com/bacon.
— Southern Adventist University will host a presentation from National Geographic photographer, filmmaker and author David McLain at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at the Iles Physical Education Center on University Drive in Collegedale. McLain will present "The Blue Zones: Unlocking the Secrets of Longevity," focusing on the practices that can add up to a decade of quality years in life based on studying the habits and rituals of centenarians in five geographic locations. Tickets will be sold at the door for $10 per person. For more information, call 423-236-2814.
— Tunnel Hill Shindig will be at 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday with a matinee at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Colonnade, 264 Catoosa Circle, Ringgold, Ga. This Pigeon Forge-style country music variety show features singers, dancers and youth and comedy performers. The show will highlight new country music, classics and gospel, and it will conclude with a veterans tribute. Admission is $15 for adults and free for children 12 and under. Learn more at tunnelhillshindig.com.
Staff photo by Matt Hamilton/ From left, Butch Ross, Lon Eldridge and Richard Daigle perform with The ChattanooGuys during the Noontunes concert and market hosted by River City Company in downtown Chattanooga on Sept. 15. River City Co. will host a Noontunes concert and market, part of its new Noontunes event series, from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Friday from Aquarium Way to High Point Climbing Gym on Broad Street. — River City Co. will host a Noontunes concert and market, part of its new Noontunes event series, from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Friday from Aquarium Way to High Point Climbing Gym on Broad Street. The free, public event will feature live music by Karen Collins featuring Thomas Bumpass, artist vendors and food trucks. Reflection Riding Arboretum & Nature Center will be the nonprofit partner for this week's event, which is plant and seed swap-themed with attendees invited to bring their own plants and seeds to trade. Learn more about the event series at rivercitycompany.com/noontunes.
Staff file photo by Olivia Ross / Nathan May paints the cannon carriage with the rest of Cub Scouts Pack 3147. Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park will host a volunteer day of service at 8:30 a.m. Saturday at the Chickamauga Battlefield, 3370 LaFayette Road, Fort Oglethorpe, Ga.— Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park will host a volunteer day of service at 8:30 a.m. Saturday at the Chickamauga Battlefield, 3370 LaFayette Road, Fort Oglethorpe, Ga. The service event is being held in conjunction with Public Lands Day, a national day of volunteer work supporting public land preservation. Attendees can expect this event to last about four hours. Learn more at nps.gov/chch.
— Chattanooga Park Stewards will host two volunteer service events from 9 a.m.-noon Saturday at Greenway Farm, 3008 Hamill Road, and Stringer's Ridge on Spears Avenue. These events are in conjunction with Public Lands Day, a national day of volunteer work supporting public land preservation. Learn more at chattanooga.gov/parks/volunteer.
— Fort Oglethorpe Kiwanis Club will host its second annual Kannonball Fun Run at 8 a.m. Saturday at Gilbert-Stephenson Park, 19 Van Cleve St., Fort Oglethorpe, Ga. This fundraising event will feature 5K, 1K and virtual run options. There will be door prize drawings and awards for overall winners and the top three participants in each age group. Proceeds will help the club achieve its mission of supporting local children and communities. Registration costs $30 for the 5K run and $20 for the 1K and virtual runs. Register at runsignup.com and learn more on the club's Facebook page.
— Missionary Ridge Neighborhood Association and Missionary Ridge Garden Club will host the historic Missionary Ridge Estate Sale from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday at 36 Sheridan Road. This community event will feature donations from over 50 homes, including art, books, rugs, vintage items and more. Proceeds will benefit the two host organizations. Cash and credit cards will be accepted. Event is rain or shine. Learn more at missionaryridge.org.
Staff Photo / Nancy Collin looks at plants for sale at the Crabtree Farms Spring Plant Sale & Festival in 2019. Crabtree Farms will host its annual Fall Plant Sale and Festival from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday at the farm, 1000 E. 30th St.— Crabtree Farms will host its annual Fall Plant Sale and Festival from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday at the farm, 1000 E. 30th St. This event will feature a variety of annual and perennial plants for sale as well as local vendors and artisans, live music, children's activities, food and more. Parking and admission are free, and the farm will accept cash, credit cards and EBT (for edible plants only). All proceeds will benefit Crabtree's educational and community gardening programs. Learn more at crabtreefarms.org.
Staff file photo / Friends of the Gordon-Lee Mansion will host the Blue & Gray BBQ contest and quilt show from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday at the mansion, 217 Cove Road, Chickamauga, Ga.— Friends of the Gordon-Lee Mansion will host the Blue & Gray BBQ contest and quilt show from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday at the mansion, 217 Cove Road, Chickamauga, Ga. In addition to the barbecue, teams selling plates and the quilt show, activities will include craft and food vendors and tours of the mansion from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Admission costs $5 for adults and $1 for children 12 and under; proceeds benefit the friends' efforts to improve the mansion. Learn more on the friends' Facebook page.
Staff file photo / Carie Varner, left, of Cleveland, takes a selfie photo with Brandon Hall, who is dressed like Macho Man Randy Savage, during the Cleveland Geekster Festival inside the Cleveland State Community College gym. Cleveland Geekster will host its 10th anniversary event celebrating comic books, toys, pop culture and more from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday in the gymnasium of Cleveland State Community College, 3535 Adkisson Drive, Cleveland, Tenn.— Cleveland Geekster will host its 10th anniversary event celebrating comic books, toys, pop culture and more from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday in the gymnasium of Cleveland State Community College, 3535 Adkisson Drive, Cleveland, Tenn. There will be more than 40 vendors in attendance selling a variety of items for all ages. Tickets cost $10 at the door; children 12 and under get in free. Learn more on the Cleveland Geekster Facebook page.
Staff file photo by Olivia Ross / Katya Rodriguez of Elotes Locos helps guests. Many came to Camp Jordan to enjoy the Chattanooga Taco Festival in 2022. Touch the Sky Events will host the Chattanooga Taco Festival from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday at Camp Jordan, 323 Camp Jordan Parkway.— Touch the Sky Events will host the Chattanooga Taco Festival from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday at Camp Jordan, 323 Camp Jordan Parkway. The festival will feature over 150 vendors, food trucks, inflatables, a petting zoo, entertainment and more. The festival will take place at Camp Jordan's amphitheater. Parking and admission are free. Learn more at touchtheskyevents.com.
— OB3B, a soon-to-be-opened family business selling coffee, food and homemade wares, will host a "Pokémon Go" community day event from 1-5 p.m. Saturday at the shop, 8804 Dayton Pike, Soddy-Daisy, Tenn. Attendees are encouraged to bring their devices and trading cards to play the game virtually or in-person. Donations of $5 per person are encouraged to help the business's progress towards opening. Learn more about OB3B and the event on the business's Facebook page.
— Kitchen Incubator of Chattanooga will host the inaugural Food Truck Festival & Expo from 4-9 p.m. Saturday at the incubator, 5704 Marlin Road, Building 6000. The event will include about 40 food trucks, a market full of shopping opportunities, live music performances and more. Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs for comfortable seating. Learn more at chattanoogafoodtruckfest.com.
— The Chattery will host "The Office" End of Summer Party from 6-9 p.m. Saturday at its venue, 1800 Rossville Ave., Suite 108. The party, themed after the television show "The Office," will include a costume contest, dance party, trivia and refreshments. Tickets cost $10 until Friday and $15 at the door. Admission cost includes one drink ticket; a cash bar will be available. Learn more at thechattery.org.
— Ooltewah-Collegedale Kiwanis Club will host a back-to-school pancake breakfast from 8-11 a.m. Sunday at the Imagination Station Pavilion, 4910 Swinyar Drive. This semiannual breakfast will raise funds for the Kiwanis Thatcher-Whidden Scholarship Fund, which provides financial help for college to deserving high school Key Club members. Tickets cost $8 for individuals, $15 for couples and $20 for families. Walk-ups are welcome, but purchase of advanced tickets is encouraged. Learn more at bit.ly/keypancakes.
— Cloudland Canyon State Park, 122 Cloudland Canyon Park Road, Rising Fawn, Ga., will offer a ranger-led tour into Sitton's Cave starting at 9:30 a.m. Sunday. The two- to 2 1/2-hour long tour will have attendees crawling in mud, scrambling over rocks, encountering underground creatures and possibly wading through a subterranean stream to explore the cave environment. Attendees must register for the tour by calling the park office at 706-657-4050. Admission costs $45 per person. Learn more at gastateparks.org.
— Chattanooga Market will host a Makers Market from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday at First Horizon Pavilion, 1801 Reggie White Blvd. In addition to the variety of local and regional vendors, many of the market's artists will be making goods at their booths, including pottery, paintings, wood carvings and more. Learn more at chattanoogamarket.com.
— Collegedale Parks and Recreation will host a Fairytale Fall Ball from 2-4 p.m. Sunday at the Commons, 4750 Swinyar Drive. The ball will give children ages 2-10 the chance to interact with fairy tale characters, take photos, dance and more. Registration costs $20 per child. Preregistration is required to attend, and space is limited. Learn more at collegedaleparksandrec.com.
— Neighborhood Environmental College will host "Puppies and Kittens and Fish, Oh My: Is Your Environment Pet Friendly?" from 5:30-6:30 p.m. Thursday at the South Chattanooga Community Center, 1151 W. 40th St. The program will focus on how to make pets' environments safe and sustainable. Zoologist James Brantley will be a featured speaker. The college is a joint operation between WaterWays, South Chattanooga Community Association and Net Resource Foundation. Learn more about its programs at mywaterways.org.
SPORTS
— Chattanooga Lookouts will take on the Tennessee Smokies in Southern League North Division championship games at 7:15 p.m. Thursday and Friday at AT&T Field, 201 Power Alley. Promotions include drink specials and rally towel giveaways Thursday and fireworks after the game Friday. Tickets cost $7-$12. Learn more at milb.com/chattanooga.
— Micro Wrestling Federation returns this weekend with a WWE-style event from 8-10 p.m. Friday at the Chattanooga Convention Center, 1 Carter St. The event will feature single matches, a brawl and a royal rumble. Tickets cost $25. Learn more at eventbrite.com.
THEATER
— Tennessee Aquarium Imax 3D Theater, 201 Chestnut St., will have screenings of "Barbie" and "Stop Making Sense" starting this weekend. "Barbie" will have screenings at 6:15 p.m. Thursday and Friday, at 3:45 p.m. and 6:15 p.m. Saturday and Sunday and at 6:15 p.m. Monday-Thursday; the film is rated PG-13. "Stop Making Sense," a concert film following the band Talking Heads during a trio of live performances in 1983, will have screenings at 8:30 p.m. Friday-Sunday; the film is rated PG. General admission tickets cost $15. Learn more at tnaqua.org/imax.
— Chattanooga Theatre Centre, 400 River St., will begin its centennial season with a production of "Peter Pan" with shows at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and at 2:30 p.m. Sunday. The play follows the classic tale of the Darling siblings as they venture to Neverland with Peter Pan and meet the Lost Boys, Tinker Bell and the pirate Captain Hook; the play is appropriate for all audiences. Tickets cost $27-$32. Learn more at theatrecentre.com.
Find more events, and add your own, at timesfreepress.com/cnevents.
Contact Sam Still at [email protected] or 423-757-6579.