Outdoor Chattanooga News And Events

Wednesday, September 30, 2015
Ruth Thompson

Here are upcoming news and events from Outdoor Chattanooga:

Fireside at the Greenway Farm Thursday Evenings in October

Join Outdoor Chattanooga for a free, family friendly, outdoor music series known as Fireside at the Greenway Farm in Hixson, TN.

We're proud to announce that Tennessee Valley Federal Credit Union has become a sponsor. Bring your blankets, camp chairs, marshmallow roasting stick and picnic supper, then sit back and enjoy an autumn evening with live music from local artists in a rustic setting behind the gardens at the Sniteman Log Cabin. The concerts occur every Thursday in October from 7 - 9 p.m. and all are free to the public.

Fireside Musical Lineup:

October 1: Randy Steele and Friends - hometown bluegrass that is no slim pickin'!

October 8: The Von Wamps - classy bluegrass with sounds from the stand up bass and Dobro. *This evening also includes a telescope workshop and night sky viewing with Barnard Astronomical Society and the Great Community Camp Out (camping with pre-registration only).

October 15: Erin Medley - acoustic folk and southern rock.

October 22: Tin Cup Rattlers - old time string band

Before Fireside, enjoy the changing season with a a calm water paddle on the North Chickamauga Creek in a canoe. Outdoor Chattanooga will provide all the equipment and support staff for you to paddle the creek at your own pace. Children under 30 lbs should bring their own Personal Flotation Device (life jacket). Launch site is behind the old Sniteman Cabin. Canoes are available from 6-7 p.m. for $20 per canoe. First come, first served. For more information, email Outdoor Chattanooga or call (423) 643-6888.

Look for the star * to see new events this week.

More Outdoor Chattanooga Events

The Great Community Campout October 8-9

Outdoor Chattanooga invites families and friends to a Community Campout at the Greenway Farms in Hixson on Thurs., Oct. 8 through Fri., Oct. 9. The campout coincides with Hamilton County Schools fall break and Outdoor Chattanooga's Fireside program. This event is great for first time campers as well as seasoned campers that want to enjoy camping close to home. Tent set-up will begin at 3 p.m.on Thurs. Oct. 8 and tents must be packed up by 9 a.m. Friday morning, Oct. 9. Join other campers in roasting s'more by the fire, while listening to The Von Wamps, a local bluegrass band, as they play from the porch of the log cabin Thursdayevening. And when the stars come out, Astronomers with Barnard Astronomical Society will be on site with telescopes for campers to view the moon and stars! Wake up early for a warm pancake breakfast at 7:00 a.m. and a group yoga class at 8:00 a.m. This is the only day of the year that camping is permitted at the Greenway, so don't miss your chance to take advantage of this opportunity! Registration is now open and will end October 5. Campout Cost is $10 per person, $30 for a family of 4 with an additional $5 per person after 4. For more information and to get registered, call Outdoor Chattanooga at (423) 643-6888 or click here.

Rapid Learning Kayak Roll Class September 30.

Outdoor Chattanooga will offer the last outdoor session of Rapid Learning Kayak Roll Class at Chester Frost Park tonight, Sept. 30 from 6-8 p.m. As always, the first session is free to the public. To mix things up, we'll be bringing a floating/rolling log to test your agility on and have pick up kayak polo games. After the last outdoor sessions, we'll be taking a small break in October and November, before heading indoors in December to the pool at the Husely Wellness Center at Southern Adventist University. Rapid Learning members will receive an email with information about Roll Class dates and times for the winter months. We hope to see you tonight for our last outdoor session!

Adventure Kids After School Program October 6, 13, 20

The Adventure Kids After School program is an awesome opportunity for kids ages 9-13 to build outdoor skills in a variety of settings. Adventurers can choose from Rock Climbing, Mountain Biking or Archery. Programs will be offered on Tuesdays from 4:30 to 6:30 pm, September 1st through November 17th. Outdoor Chattanooga guide staff will provide instruction and equipment for kids with all skill levels including true beginners. Cost is $20 per participant per date and activity. Pre-registration is required and space is limited due to small group sizes. To get registered or for more information, email Outdoor Chattanooga or call (423) 643-6888. A description of the activities is below.

Climbing

Tuesday, October 6 and November 3 from 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm

Coolidge Park/ Downtown

Walnut Wall overlooks the Tennessee River from a 50' high limestone pier of the historic Walnut Street Bridge located in Coolidge Park. This class is for the beginning or intermediate climber who would like to learn the basics of rock climbing; including how to correctly wear a harness, tie knots, handle the rope, movement techniques, use a belay device and communicate effectively.

Mountain Biking

Tuesday, October 13 and November 10 from 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm

Greenway Farm Park/ Hixson

Basic bike handling and safety skills are introduced in this class as the foundation to mountain biking, with our skills practices using the grassy hills, built features, and dirt double track at the Greenway Farm Park in Hixson. Participants need to be able to ride in a straight line and navigate simple twists and turns of bike paths to enroll. A limited number of bikes are available.

Archery

Tuesday, October 20 and November 17 from 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm

Greenway Farm Park/ Hixson

There is plenty to learn about this classic sport and we'll start from the beginning with instruction on the equipment, safety procedures, and shooting techniques (including plenty of fun games). This program is affiliated with the National Archery in Schools Program (NASP) and the NEW upcoming Chattanooga Interscholastic Archery League.

Learn to Ride a Bicycle October 12

Outdoor Chattanooga's Learn to Ride your bike classes have been so popular, we've added another session on the 2nd Monday of the month. The next set of classes will be held on Monday, October 12. The first session is from 4:30-6 p.m. and a second session from 6-7:30 p.m. Check out our calendar of events, email Outdoor Chattanooga or call (423) 643-6888 to find out more.

Street Cycling 101 October 19

As part of CPD Safe Bicycling Initiative, Outdoor Chattanooga offers Street Cycling 101: Learn to "drive" your bicycle in Chattanooga, every 3rd Monday of the month. The next class will be offered on Monday, October 19 from 6-7 p.m. Email Outdoor Chattanooga or call (423) 643-6888 for more info.

Community News

Let's Create a Movement: Help Bring More Racial Diversity to Chattanooga's Outdoor Scene

The Office of Multicultural Affairs and Outdoor Chattanooga want to bring more racial diversity to Chattanooga's outdoor scene by training 10 people as outdoor trip leaders. These leaders will work to connect under served communities to the outdoors through guided outdoor activities. Compensation for trips worked is available. Applications are due by October 1st and can be sent to the Office of Multicultural Affairs or to Outdoor Chattanooga. If you are interested in volunteering on this effort, applying for this opportunity, or just want to learn more, please contact oma@chattanooga.gov, or visit OutdoorChattanooga.com.

More Community Events

*Take a Kid Mountain Biking Day October 3

Join SORBA Chattanooga on Sat., Oct. 3 to celebrate Take A Kid Mountain Biking Day, a national youth cycling event to promote outdoor family fun. Parents and children of all ages will have the opportunity to participate in various group rides determined by skill level. Helmet and bike safety inspections, hot dogs, and high-fives will be provided to all participating riders. Children ages 4 to 16 must bring a guardian, a bicycle in good working condition, and a helmet to participate. Riders younger will require a parent or guardian to assist them. The event, coordinated by theInternational Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA) & SORBA Chattanooga is free to the public. For more information on how to participate in this event click here.

*Tennessee River Rescue October 3

Chattanooga's biggest community cleanup of the beautiful Tennessee River happens on Sat., Oct. 3 with the Tennessee River Rescue. Volunteers and sponsors are still needed in one of a dozen work zones all over the TN River watershed. If your interested in volunteering or learning more about how you can help, click here or contact Christine Bock at 423-785-4024. You can also visit the TN River Rescue Facebook Page.

*Chattanooga Hiking Club Hike at Lula Lake Land Trust October 3

Lula Lake on Lookout Mountain will be open Sat., October 3rd for hiking.Chattanooga Hiking Club member, Bob Butters will lead hikers on a 4-5 mile easy trek. The meeting time is 10 a.m. at the entrance to Lula Lake Land Trust.

*16th Annual Culture Fest at the Chattanooga Market October 4

Come experience the rich cultural diversity of Chattanooga through arts, food, dance, and live music at the 16th Annual Culture Fest at the Chattanooga Market on Sun., Oct. 4 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thanks to Chattanooga State International Community Outreach, the Chattanooga Market will boast live performances from local cultural groups including a must see Parade of Nations! Enjoy a multicultural fashion show, dance contest and an exhibition of culturally-themed art. Local, ethnic organizations will be on hand displaying cultural artwork, offering food samples & cooking demos along with other global customs. We'll have plenty of activities for the entire family. Enjoy the sights, sounds and tastes of our cultural diversity right here in Chattanooga! For more information and updates about this free event, visit the Culture Fest Facebook page here.

*Slow Ride Chattanooga October 5

Slow Ride Chattanooga is a chance for you to explore a neighborhood through a safe, fun bike ride. You can learn about important projects and initiatives in Chattanooga, meet new people, socialize, and enjoy a family-friendly bike ride with certified bike instructors and CPD officers. The event is free to the public and will occur on Mon., Oct. 5 at 6 p.m. at Highland Park Commons. Participants should bring their own bike and helmet. If you do not have a bike we have a limited amount available to borrow. For more information call 423-643-7322 or RSVP here!

*RiverRocks Adventure Sports and Games October 3 - 24

RiverRocks is a multi-day event that brings world-class and amateur athletes to the Scenic City to compete in a variety of athletic events including rock climbing, trail running, kayaking, rowing, cycling, off-road biking and all sorts of paddling events. RiverRocks also features entertainment such as live music, urban rappelling, movies and more. RiverRocks aims to highlight the outdoor lifestyle that Chattanooga has to offer by holding most of the festival's events within Tennessee Valley's unsurpassed parks and conservancies. For more information and RiverRocks event schedule, click here.

*Kayak Pilots and Volunteers needed for Swim the Suck October 10

Kayak pilots and volunteers are still needed for Swim the Suck on Sat., October 10. If your interested in volunteering or piloting, click here to get registered.

Upcoming Events for 2015

October

2-3 *3 Sisters Bluegrass Festival

3 Rock/Creek Stump Jump 50K

Bethel Bible Village Run by the Creek

*TN River Rescue Clean Up

6 Adventure Kids Rock Climbing

10 *Lula Lake Land Trust 5-Points 50 Mountain Bike Race

Swim the Suck

Chattanooga Head Race

*Chattanooga Hiking Club Hike at Enterprise South

11 *Urban Nature 10K