The community is invited to a Choo Choo Jubilee in celebration of the 75th anniversary of Glenn Miller’s famous song, the “Chattanooga Choo Choo.” This day-long party will be held on Saturday, May 7 at the Chattanooga Choo Choo from 11 a.m.-midnight.
This song was recorded on May 7, 1941; became the #1 song across America on December 7, 1941; and was the first song to be certified a gold disc on February 10, 1942 with more than 1,200,000 sales.
A parade will kick off the festivities at 11 a.m. with a mass of local high-school marching bands directed by Joel Denton of Ooltewah High School. The bands will perform a special version of the “Chattanooga Choo Choo” at the end. Parade route will begin at the intersection of Passenger and Main Streets, continue west on Main Street, head north on Market Street, and end in front of the Choo Choo property.
A Glenn Miller Dedication Ceremony will take place at 11:45 a.m. Officials from the Chattanooga Choo Choo will dedicate the formal rose garden to Glenn Miller. Immediately following the dedication, everyone can sing-along to the “Chattanooga Choo Choo.” The garden dedication and the sing-along will take place in front of the Choo Choo at the main entrance.
From noon-3 p.m., entertainment will include live music, dance performances, buskers, activities for kids and adults, and an instrument “petting zoo” where people can interact with various instruments. A video playing in the Choo Choo lobby will feature the notable music historian, Robert Oermann, talking about the history of the “Chattanooga Choo Choo” song and its impact.
The Chattanooga Choo Choo and STIR are teaming up for the first annual Kentucky Derby Party from 3-7:30 p.m. The festivities take place in the formal rose garden and include live Kentucky bluegrass, heavy hors d’oeuvres and cocktails provided by STIR from 3:30-6:30 p.m., outdoor games, watching the Kentucky Derby (starts at 6:34 p.m.), and a “Derby Best Dressed Contest.” Tickets are $45/individual, $80/couple, or $50/individual on the day of the event.
Dale Jones at The Comedy Catch will present “Ernest Goes to Crack.” "Dale has a high-energy, machine-gun style delivery with animated facials and quick improvisations. His non-stop physical comedy has led to TV appearances on Fox, The Comedy Network in Canada, and in the movie “Out of Time” with Denzel Washington. He made it to the final 18 on NBC’s Last Comic Standing," officials said. Performances will be at 7:30 p.m. and 9:45 p.m.
Track 29 will host the first Great Gatsby Garden Jubilee from 9 p.m.-midnight. The party will be held under the big tent in the formal gardens, in honor of Glenn Miller’s “Chattanooga Choo Choo” song and its 75th anniversary. "Entertainment will include live music from the Uptown Big Band, playing all your favorite big band hits. Come dressed in your best Gatsby attire, and bring your best dance swing moves," officials said. Admission is free. There wikk be a cash bar.
For the most up-do-date information or to buy tickets, visit www.chattanoogafun.com/choo-choo-jubilee.