A succession of colorful events are planned for the grand opening of the 21st Century Waterfront, members of the Pachyderm Club were told Monday.

Ann Ball of the Downtown Partnership said the events stretched over several weekends include specially commissioned music as well as some unique performing acts.

She said most of the events are free to the public - except for the annual Tour of Downtown Living.

Ms. Ball said Riverfront Parkway will stay open for all of the festivities, except for two days at the climax of the celebration.

An opening event will feature a swing band and dancing on the new Chattanooga Pier that features some dramatic light towers.

She said the Chattanooga Library is sponsoring the showing of "Wild River" on a wall at the Olgiati Bridge.

There will be self-guided tours of the new downtown art that will be featured along the new First Street Steps and elsewhere.

Ms. Ball said the Tour of Downtown Living will include visits to the new River Pier Landing that is by the new Chattanooga Green. The tour will also include a visit to a yacht, condos and homes at Battery Place and new condos going in on Stringer's Ridge.

There will also be the 4 Bridges Arts Festival and the 3 Mountains bike ride.

There will be a dramatic event centered around the new Passage that goes from the new section of the Aquarium under the Riverfront Parkway to the river.

She said elaborate Native American art will be at the Passage, and there will be some interesting water features, include a stream, a waterfall and water jets in the river.

The speaker said on Friday, May 13, there will be Native American games, including stick ball, marbles and chunky. Gail Ross, a descendant of Chief John Ross, will tell stories. A 25-voice Cherokee choir will lead a Cherokee Chant.

Ms. Ball said a 500-voice local choir will also take part, entering the river area through the passage. They will be singing Amazing Grace.

Jonathan McNair, a UTC professor, has been commissioned to write two pieces of music, including a river anthem.

There will be a bonfire at Renaissance Park, and the Western and Eastern Cherokee Chiefs will take some of the fire over in a boat to Ross's Landing. A number of torches will be lit along the waterfront and the Market Street Bridge.

On Saturday, May 14, there will be a large number of boats at the landing, including canoes and kayaks in the morning and motorized craft later. There will also be hot air balloons.

Some vertical dancers will perform on the side of the Market Street Bridge, and the Chattanooga Symphony will give a special performance.

Stone Mountain Media has been commissioned to close the evening out with a light, laser and fireworks show.