The sixth annual North Chattanooga annual arts and music festival Normal-Palooza is a family-friendly street festival offers a line-up of live music, dance and an art market showcasing approximately 50 local and regional artists.

Normal-Palooza, presented by Hunt Nissan, will be held on Saturday, Nov. 7, from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. at the Normal Park Upper School located on the corner of Dallas and Mississippi. General admission is free, and tickets for the Kids’ Corner activities are $5 (for ages six and under) which are good for the entire day. Kids of all ages can enjoy inflatable jumping activities, animals from the Chattanooga Zoo, getting a makeover in the Normal Park “Salon,”and games like a football throw, corn hole, frisbee gold, cast making, and treats such as popcorn, cotton candy, pucker powder and much more in the “Play Zone” (where tickets are 50 cents each).

“Normal Palooza is an exciting opportunity for us to bring together the local community of artists, musicians, businesses, neighbors and students, to celebrate the arts in family-friendly and festive atmosphere,” said co-chairs Barbara Ensign and Lauren Hunt.

A section of Mississippi Avenue in front of the Normal Park Upper School will be closed during the event, creating a street fair experience. Last year, nearly 2,000 attendees were drawn to the urban neighborhood setting to enjoy bands and other performances, socialize with friends and neighbors, shop for gifts, eat food, and support public education.

Normal-Palooza will also feature music and entertainment on both a Children’s Stage and a Main Stage,
with performances by musicians including Nashville band Hey Penny, and local favorites such as the New Binkley Brothers, Kofi Mawuko, Forest Magic and Madeline, among others.

Local food merchants will provide an array of food options that day, including Lupi’s Pizza, Mercatino, Link 41, Butt Stop, Greenlife, Jalapeno Corn Dogs, Pino Gelato, Champy's Chicken and Whipped cupcakes.

For the sixth year, a contest was held to determine the “Normal-Palooza Image.” Local artists were asked to submit an original piece of art, and this year’s winning piece is a whimsical and fun illustration by Diane Bruce, which will be featured on festival promotional materials such as Normal-Palooza T-shirts and posters.

Attendees will be able to find free parking along Dallas Road as well as the other side of West Mississippi Avenue.

“The spirit of Normal-Palooza reflects the vision of our school and has become a wonderful community festival,” said Jill Levine, principal of Normal Park Museum Magnet. “This festival is both a fundraiser that reinforces the importance that we place on the arts and our partnership with area museums, and a “friend-raiser” that highlights the number of local businesses, organizations and neighbors who are committed to their neighborhood school.” The Tennessee Arts Commission and Allied Arts of Greater Chattanooga have recognized the event’s success annually, and are providing funding again for this year’s festival.

Normal Park Museum Magnet is a Pre-K through 8th grade Hamilton County public school, which was named the number one magnet school in America in 2005. The magnet school partners with seven local museums to provide students with hands-on learning expeditions and enrichment programs.

For more information, please contact Normal-Palooza Event Co-Chairs Lauren Hunt or Barbara Ensign at normalpalooza@mac.com, visit the website at www.normalparkmuseummagnet.com or call the school at 209-5912.