Summer fun in the Scenic City continues into August with sporting events, lively festivals, movie nights, and much-anticipated fundraisers for some of our community’s top organizations. Here’s what to put on your social calendar this month.
National Farmers Market Week
The Chattanooga Market has an exciting new theme every Sunday all summer long, and August kicks off with National Farmers Market Week. From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the First Horizon Pavilion, you’ll find dozens of the region’s best vendors selling everything from fresh produce and baked goods to art, crafts, jewelry, and more. Local food trucks are also available for those wanting a quick bite to eat. Bring a tote bag and some cash, and support your local farmers this Sunday – and every Sunday – at the Chattanooga Market.
Summer Music Weekends
Aug 1, 6-8, 13-15, 20-22, 27-29
Rock City
Bask in the sweet sounds of summer on Lookout Mountain every Friday through Sunday in August. Rock City’s Summer Music Weekends are always a treat, with live country and bluegrass performances by Matt Downer – Old Time Traveler, Highbeams, Amber Carrington, and Tarryn Aimee Smith. While you’re on the mountain, sit down for some delicious Southern cuisine at Café 7 before checking out the Rock City Birds of Prey raptor show – visit the Rock City website for showtimes.
Chattanooga Lookouts Home Games
Aug 3-8, 24-29, 31
Lookouts fans have three opportunities to get in on some baseball action this month – the team takes on the Rocket City Trash Pandas (August 3-8), the Tennessee Smokies (August 24-29), and the Birmingham Barons (August 31), all at AT&T Field. August 3, 24, and 31 are Food City Tuesdays, which means you’ll receive Buy One, Get One adult general admission tickets with a Food City ValuCard. Don’t miss Fireworks Friday on August 6, which caps off a night at the ballpark with a spectacular fireworks show.
Burgers & Bourbon
Aug 5
Looking to up your grill game this summer? Chef Ted Marris of The Sweet and Savory Classroom is leading an in-person class where participants will make hand-ground beef burgers, soft buns, and pickles from scratch while tasting four unique bourbons. You can even choose your own toppings, from bacon and cheese to caramelized onions. If that wasn’t enough, onion rings and fries are also on the menu. After the three-hour course, you can count on being well-fed, as well as having a couple of new skills to add to your culinary tool belt.
Believe Bash
Aug 7
The 5th annual Believe Bash, presented by Erlanger Foundation, promises to be an evening to remember. Themed “Under the Big Top,” the dazzling gala includes red carpet festivities, cocktail and dinner hours, a live auction, and live entertainment, with proceeds to benefit the new Pediatric Outpatient MRI and Procedure Center at Children’s Hospital at Erlanger’s Kennedy Outpatient Center. While tickets for the 2021 event are already sold out, you can still support fundraising efforts online at any time.
Crush Autism Disc Golf Tournament
Aug 7
Disc golf novices and pros alike are invited to participate in the Crush Autism Disc Golf Tournament, sponsored by Prodigy Disc. Taking place at Westside Park Disc Golf Course in Rocky Face, Georgia, this event has a 7:15 a.m. check-in, with a 9 a.m. start time and 5 p.m. awards ceremony. Event organizer and local disc golfer Leslie Marshall hopes to not only promote autism awareness, but also raise $5,000 for Siskin Children’s Institute in honor of his two sons, who are high-functioning autistic children.
Missionary Ridge Road Race
Aug 7
Sign up for one of Chattanooga’s oldest races – the 4.7-mile Missionary Ridge Road Race – for scenic views and stiff competition. The shaded out-and-back course starts at the Bragg Reservation and continues onto South Crest Road and East Crest Road. Cash prizes will be presented to the top three overall men and women finishers. Note that there won’t be parking at the Bragg Reservation, so be sure to take advantage of the free shuttle service at McCallie School (500 Dodds Avenue).
Sunset Cinema in Miller Park
Aug 14 & 21
Summer wouldn’t be complete without a movie under the stars, and Miller Park provides the perfect backdrop. On August 14, Open Spaces and the Chattanooga Zoo will present Dolittle – the movie starts at sunset, but come early (7:30 p.m.) for a meet-and-greet with critters from the zoo. Then, on August 21, Open Spaces will partner with ArtsBuild for a screening of West Side Story. Best of all? These events are completely free to the public, although snacks will be available for purchase from local food vendors.
Family Fun Day: Power, Passion & Pose
Aug 22
This family-friendly event at the Hunter Museum of American Art is sure to get your creative juices flowing. From 2 until 4 p.m., fun art activities for all ages will be available both inside and outside the museum; these activities will be themed around photography and the human figure, as well as music and interactive sound with local musician Carl Cadwell. Check out current exhibit Power, Passion & Pose: Photographs by Ken Browar and Deborah Ory, which may serve as inspiration for some of your creations.
Chattanooga Margarita Festival
Aug 26
Do you prefer your margarita frozen, salted, or on the rocks? Well, you can find out at the 2nd annual Chattanooga Margarita Festival, to be held at First Horizon Pavilion. This boozy event – which lasts from 6 until 9 p.m. – will host 20 Scenic City restaurants presenting their best margarita recipe to share, and you get to vote on your favorite. You can also take advantage of the Margarita Fest photo booth, a variety of food vendors, and live entertainment by local DJs.
Big Hair Affair
Aug 28
Grab your friends and join the Chattanooga Kidney Foundation at The Walden Club for this totally rad evening. The 2nd annual Big Hair Affair, which celebrates the organization’s 1989 founding, will have dancing, heavy hors d’oeuvres, drinks, trivia, a silent auction, and much more. Attendees should come outfitted in their favorite throwback attire from the ‘80s and ‘90s – a costume contest will determine best dressed of the night. The decade-themed fun begins at 7:30 p.m.
Rail & Hops Brewers Festival
Aug 28
Downtown Chattanooga’s Miller Park plays host to the 2021 Rail & Hops Brewers Festival. From 4 until 10 p.m., you can enjoy handcrafted beers from approximately 40 regional breweries, your favorite local food trucks, and live music on the EPB Community stage. All beer tastings and a signature tasting glass are included in the cost of admission. Proceeds from the festival benefit SoundCorps, a nonprofit dedicated to growing the music economy in the Chattanooga area.
