The Chattanooga Market announces it’s 2013 season opening with community events, many vendors and a lineup of musical entertainment.  In its twelfth season, the Sunday Market continues to provide weekly opportunities for buying local.  As a 501-3c nonprofit, the mission of the Chattanooga Market is to provide a platform for artists and farmers to sell their handmade/home grown goods in a low-cost environment that benefits the community through cultural enrichment and support of local economies.

The Chattanooga Public Market has grown in the past few years and now offers three artist and farmer’s markets to the community: Chattanooga River Market (Saturdays), Chattanooga Market (Sundays) and the newest addition, Ringgold Market (Saturdays). Each Market has a unique feel and personality.  Live musical entertainment and the commitment to authentic handmade/homegrown goods is consistent among all Chattanooga Public Markets, officials said.

Opening day for the Chattanooga River Market will be Saturday, March 23, on the Tennessee Aquarium Plaza, from 10 a.m.-5 p.m.  Popular for tourists and urbanites alike, the Market provides animation for the downtown area and an outdoor shopping experience, complete with live music.  As with the original Sunday Market, the River Market features handmade, local artistry, crafts, gifts and a light offering of food vendors. The River Market season concludes the Saturday of Labor Day weekend. 

The Chattanooga Market, held at the First Tennessee Pavilion, will be open for the season on Sunday, April 21, from 11 a.m.-4 p.m.  With over 30 themed events this season, each Sunday will feature a charity partner or agricultural tie-in.  Traditions continue with local favorite events such as the two-day Chattanooga Oktoberfest, and the “foodie” events and cook-offs; many of which are in their twelfth year.  

The Market will continue it’s free musical performances each Sunday introducing new artists as well as returning favorites.  The online calendar at http://chattanoogamarket.com/events/ includes listings for each week’s theme and music entertainment.  Additionally, the Market Cafe, a lunch spot, will continue to offer local fare for market-goers and has expanded to include many of Chattanooga’s well known “food trucks.” 

There are several additions to the new season: 

Chattanooga Street Food Festival - Food concepts from the area come to one event celebrating the talent, the taste and the entrepreneurial spirit of people who make a living doing what they love to do.

Harvest Festival Run  - An 8-k run starting and ending at the Market as well as a two-mile fun/family run.  All proceeds from the Harvest Run will benefit the Chattanooga Market, thus continuing to provide public markets for the Chattanooga community and surrounding areas.

Two-day Thanksgiving Market - Seasonal shopping for holiday gatherings with meats, cheeses, breads and other fresh foods available.  Ideas for buying and giving local handmade gifts this season...a kick-off for holiday shopping.

Holiday Market  - Held entirely indoors this year at the Chattanooga Convention Center for three weekends in December offering locals an opportunity to shop for unique, personal gifts right up to the final holiday weekend. 

The corporate sponsors for 2013 are First Tennessee Bank, EPB Telecom, Chattanooga Coca-Cola Bottling Co., Five Star Cooking Ranges, Village Volkswagen of Chattanooga and Erlanger Healthcare Systems.

Chattanooga River Market Schedule held at the Tennessee Aquarium Plaza:

Saturdays beginning March 23-Aug. 31, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

Ringgold Market held in Ringgold, Catoosa County Courthouse: Saturdays beginning June 1-Aug. 31, 9 a.m.-12 p.m. 

Chattanooga Market Schedule of Events 

(held at the First Tennessee Pavilion, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.)

April      21 Opening Day
             28 SpringFest
May        5 Cinco de Mayo
            12 Mother’s Day
            19 EPB Strawberry Festival
            26 Beast Feast BBQ Festival
June      2 Big Band Swingfest
              9 Chattanoggins
            16 Father’s Day Brew & Bluegrass
            23 Blueberry Festival
            30 Street Food Festival
July        7 Peach Festival
            14 Ice Cream Social
            21 Mountain View Bluegrass
            28 Tomato Festival
Aug        4 Celebrate Local Food
            11 Five Star Food Fight
            18 Live United
            25 Summerfest
Sept       1 Hot Rod Auto Show
              8 Harvest Festival
            15 Kickin’ Chicken
            22 Cast Iron Cook-off
            29 Chattanooga Chili
Oct        6 CultureFest
            13 Cut Up For Life
            19-20 Chattanooga Oktoberfest
            27 The Haunted Market
Nov        3 Erlanger Health Fair
            10 Bark For Life
            17 Coca Cola Big Band Day
            23-24 Thanksgiving Market
Dec        1 CLOSED


Holiday Market dates held at the Chattanooga Convention Center:

Dec. 7-8, 14-15, 21-22