Outdoor Chattanooga News And Events

  • Tuesday, April 29, 2014
  • Ruth Thompson

Here are upcoming news and events from Outdoor Chattanooga:

Outdoor Chattanooga Featured Event:
Bike to the Ballgame May 4
Ride your bike to the ballpark on Sun., May 4, for Litespeed Bicycle Day at the Chattanooga Lookouts, beginning at 12:00 noon at downtown Chattanooga's AT&T Field.
Enjoy special giveaways and bicycling info from Bike Chattanooga and Green Trips Chattanooga. Free bicycle valet parking service will be provided by Bike-Walk Chattanooga, from noon to 15 minutes after the final inning.  The ball park opens at 12:00 noon, first pitch is at 2:15.

More Outdoor Chattanooga Events  
Rapid Learning Moves Outdoors May 7 
Come join the Rapid Learning Whitewater Program when the weekly kayak skills practice moves outdoors to Chester Frost County Park on Wed., May 7, with two sessions: 6 and 7 p.m. Bring the whole family and learn the basic skills that you need to paddle the Chattanooga region's beautiful whitewater (and flat water) streams. Your first visit is free. To learn more, email or call Outdoor Chattanooga at (423) 643-6888 
 
Free Yoga for Runners May 1 
The Chattanooga Track Club will host a free Yoga for Runners class on Thurs., May 1, from 6 to 7:30 p.m., at Outdoor Chattanooga, 200 River St. in Coolidge Park. The clinic will focus on moves that are helpful for keeping runners limber and less prone to injury. Runners of all ages and fitness levels are welcome. BYO-Yoga mat if you have one. Some will be available to borrow.
 
Litespeed Bicycle Day at the Lookouts May 4
Ride your bike to the ballpark on Sun., May 4, for Litespeed Bicycle Day at the Chattanooga Lookouts, beginning at 12:00 noon at downtown Chattanooga's AT&T Field. Enjoy special giveaways, bicycling info and free bicycle valet parking service, courtesy of Bike Chattanooga, Green Trips Chattanooga and Bike/Walk Chattanooga. Ballpark opens at 12:00 noon, first pitch is at 2:15.
 
Moccasin Bend Bicycle Tour May 8 
Outdoor Chattanooga and Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park will host a free, guided interpretive tour by bicycle of Moccasin Bend on Thurs., May 8, 6 p.m., beginning from Outdoor Chattanooga, 200 River St. in Coolidge Park. The tour will focus on history of this significant peninsula, from pre-history, through the Civil War and 20th Century. The ride is appropriate for adults and kids ages 14 and older when accompanied by an adult. Reservations are required. To reserve a spot, emailor call Outdoor Chattanooga at (423) 643-6888
 
Camp Chair Cinema at Greenway Farm May 10
Outdoor Chattanooga and the Lookout Wild Film Festival will host a free screening of "Outdoor Chattanooga," plus some fun outdoor themed short films at the next Camp Chair Cinema, happening Sat., May 10, 9 p.m. at Greenway Farm park, 5051 Gann Store Rd., in Hixson, TN. "Outdoor Chattanooga" is a new documentary about our transformation from dangerously polluted city to outdoor mecca. BYO-camp chair, blankets, the kids, and non alcoholic beverages. We'll provide the popcorn.
 
Featured Community Event 
May is National Bike Month - Come Out and Ride!
Help Chattanooga celebrate Bike Month, 2014 by taking the National Bike Challenge, Biking to the Ballpark, learning about Adventure Cycling and Rails-to-Trails, or participating in National Bike to Work Day, or joining a free group ride on Moccasin Bend or Chickamauga Battlefield. The whole month of activities culminates with the Volkswagen USA Cycling Professional Road and Time Trial National Championships and U.S. Hand Cycling Championships Memorial Day weekend. For a full schedule, visit Green Trips Chattanooga.  
 
More Community Events 
3State/3Mountain Challenge with George Hincapie May 3
American pro cycling legend George Hincapie will lead off the 27th annual3State/3Mountain Challenge this Sat., May 3, beginning at 8 a.m. from Finley Stadium. This year's event sees changes in the 100, 85 and 64 mile routes and the 31 mile option is a beautiful ride through Chattanooga Valley in N. GA.  
 
Friends of Stringers Ridge Fundraiser May 3
The Friends of Stringers Ridge will host a fundraiser this Sat., May 3 at the Gear Closet, 535 Cherokee Blvd. on the North Shore. The event will feature burgers, beer, gear and music, and the whole family is invited. Funds raised will go towards the development and maintenance of the City of Chattanooga's Stringers Ridge Park. 
 
Children's Hospital Dragon Boat Festival May 3
The community will race dragon boats this Sat., May 3, at the TVA Chickamauga Reservation, during the 8th annual Children's Hospital Dragon Boat Festival.  Funds raised by teams will benefit Erlanger Children's Hospital.
 
Fisherman's Dream Tournament May 3 
Bass anglers are invited to join the Sportsman's Warehouse Dream Bass Tournament this Sat., May 3, from safe daylight to 3 p.m. at Chester Frost County Park on Chickamauga Lake. The annual tournament raises money for the Silverdale Baptist Academy Athletic Department. The entry fee is $150 per boat with an optional $10 Big Fish Pot. Anglers can register for the tournament at Sportsman's Warehouse (at Highway 153 and Lee Highway). For more information, email Brent Brady or call 423-718-0326.

Black Forest Challenge Youth Mtn. Bike Race May 3
The TN Youth Mountain Bike Racing Association will host the Black Forest Challengekids mountain bike race this Sat., May 3, beginning at 9 a.m. at Enterprise South Nature Park. Race categories are open for kids in training wheels to age 17. 
 
Backpacker Magazine Get Out More Tour at Rock/Creek May 6 
Rock/Creek at 2Northshore, 301 Manufacturer's Rd., will host Backpacker Magazine'sGet Out More Tour on Tues., May 6, 6:30 p.m., for a free 75-minute seminar on trip planning, choosing the right outdoor gear and apparel, safety in the outdoors and more. Learn about the essentials to make any short or long backpacking trip successful and fun. 
 
The Dig Downtown SUP Race May 10
The Southern Stroke Paddle Series and L2Boards will host the Dig Downtown SUP Race on Sat., May 10, beginning at 8 a.m., at Ross' Landing in downtown Chattanooga. The event will include demo's, kids races, SUP yoga and short and long distance adult races. 
 

Kids4Clean Water Camps June, July and August
The Caribbean Student Environmental Alliance will host their annual Kids4Clean Water Camps at different locations in Hamilton Co. this summer, with seven sessions in June and July. Kids will learn about creek critters and how to detect and prevent water pollution. 

Job Opportunity
Outdoor Chattanooga Summer Programs Staff 
The City of Chattanooga is now accepting applications for Temporary (Seasonal) Recreation Specialist positions within Outdoor Chattanooga. Ideal candidates will have a solid background in leading a variety of outdoor recreation programs for children and adults, including flat water and whitewater paddling, bicycling, backpacking, camping and climbing. WFR (Wilderness First Responder), ACA (American Canoe Association), and AMGA (American Mountain Guide Association) and First Aid/CPR Certifications are a bonus. The job terms run from mid May, 2014 through the first week of August, 2014. All interested parties must apply through the City of Chattanooga website. Posting closes tomorrow, Wed., April 30, 2014.

 

News
Brad Bennett New Superintendent at Chickamauga and Chattanooga NMP
The National Park Service has named Brad Bennett as the new superintendent of Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park, effective June 1, 2014.  Bennett comes to this area from Andersonville National Historic Site, where he has served as superintendent since 2009. He began his NPS career at Grand Canyon National Park. Welcome to Chattanooga, Mr. Bennett!
  
Become a Healthier Tennessee Walking School 
Active kids do better!  Watch this short video about the benefits of walking and bicycling to school and consider helping your school become a Healthier Tennessee Walking School with the Safe Routes to School National Partnership and the Governor's Foundation for Health and Wellness. Contact Christy Smith at Safe Routes to Schools TN or Russell Cliche with Healthier TN at for more information. 
 
Win Free V.I.P Passes to the Volkswagen USA Cycling Professional Road and Time Trial National Championships
USA Cycling and Volkswagen America are offering special V.I.P. experiences during the national championships, happening here Chattanooga Memorial Day weekend. Included in the experiences are a free night's stay in a hotel, ride in a V.I.P. race vehicle, a replica jersey and full V.I.P. privileges at both the race and time trial. How do you get into the drawing? You gotta test drive a V.W. at a participating dealership in GA, Al, SC or TN. 
 
Cloudland Canyon S.P. to Expand Programs for School and Scout Groups
Georgia's Cloudland Canyon State Park has expanded their programming options for school and scout groups to include low cost environmental and outdoor adventure experiences geared specifically toward elementary through high school aged students. The programs are being facilitated by the Georgia Girl Guides.

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More Upcoming Events

May
             Viola Valley Half Marathon
             Chattanooga Tour de Cure
  
June
7           National Trails Day
14         Chattanooga Rat Race
July

August
9            Still Hollow Trail Race
              Missionary Ridge Road Race

September
28          Ironman Chattanooga
October
4           Rock/Creek Stump Jump
11         Chattanooga Head Race

November
1           Upchuck 50K
             Head of the Hooch
15         Alzheimer's Association 5K Run to Remember

December
14         Lookout Mountain 50 Miler

 

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