Hey friends, happy Thursday! The Head of the Hooch rows back into town this weekend, Parkridge Medical Center is cutting the ribbon on a brand new patient tower, and Habitat for Humanity just opened its Critical Home Repair lottery for Chattanooga homeowners. Add the Little Debbie Hamilton County Fair, a UTC Homecoming Parade with Terrell Owens and Ochocinco in the house, Chattanooga Comic Con, Red Bank Porchfest, and a brewery and coffee shop we cannot stop thinking about, and this is a weekend you will want to clear your calendar for.
Let's get to it!
Local Stories
Head of The Hooch
🚣 Head of the Hooch Rows Back Into Chattanooga
The Southeast's premier head race returns to Ross's Landing Park this weekend, and it is a big one. Head of the Hooch draws more than 6,500 athletes from across the country for a weekend on one of rowing's most scenic courses, right along the Tennessee River downtown.
The race is one hundred percent volunteer run and built by the community, which is a big part of why it has grown into the celebration it is today. Whether you row yourself or just want to watch boats glide past downtown, it is worth a stroll down to the riverfront. More info here.
🏥 Parkridge Medical Center Celebrates New Patient Tower
Parkridge Medical Center is marking a big milestone this Friday, November 6, with the opening of its new 88,000 square foot patient tower. The three story addition brings 50 new patient rooms, including 16 intensive care rooms and 34 medical surgical rooms, plus a new main lobby and open courtyard.
The grand opening celebration takes place at the New Main Tower Entrance on 2333 McCallie Avenue, so if you are in the neighborhood Friday, it is a nice moment to see the investment coming into our local healthcare. More info here.
🏠 Habitat for Humanity Opens Critical Home Repair Lottery
Starting Monday, November 9, Chattanooga homeowners can apply for free critical home repairs through Habitat for Humanity of Greater Chattanooga. The lottery window runs November 9 through November 20, and eligible residents can submit a Pre Qualifying Questionnaire through the Habitat website.
To qualify, the home must be owner occupied and your primary residence, you must be 60 or older, your household income must fall within 0 to 50 percent of the area median income, and you will need to show proof of homeownership and the need for critical repairs. Cosmetic and foundational work is not included, so check the full list of covered services before you apply. If you or someone you know could use a hand this winter, it is worth the five minutes it takes to apply. More info here.
TOGETHER WITH C&C NURSERY AND LANDSCAPE
🍂 Two Weeks of Frost Warnings and Your Yard Has Not Gotten the Memo
Frost advisories are already rolling in. Your yard has been cooling fast, and it is not bouncing back on its own.
Here's the part nobody tells you: by the time you see the dead patches in spring, the roots underneath have already been struggling since now. Grass and shrubs do not die in April, they die in November and just wait for you to notice.
C&C Nursery and Landscape knows exactly what a Chattanooga yard needs to survive the winter ahead, and it is not guessing, it is a schedule built for the season we are actually having. Beds, pruning, plant installation, full redesign, all handled before the damage is permanent instead of after.
Book a plant installation now and the winter pruning is on them.
☀️ Weather Snapshot
Friday 72° low 50°
Saturday 62° low 40°
Sunday 64° low 39°
It is shaping up to be a classic Chattanooga fall weekend, friends. Friday stays mild and easy for the fair and the parade, then things cool off fast behind it, so grab a jacket for Saturday and Sunday mornings. Clear skies all weekend, perfect for porch sitting, river watching, and everything else on the list below.
Friday Wrap
Fall Clothing & Plant Swap at Plant Bar: A swap, don't shop event where you bring five items and trade for five, or bring a plant or propagation and trade for one, 21 and up, buy a drink for an extra item.
Little Debbie Hamilton County Fair: Three days of live music, rides, and fun kick off with country star Rodney Atkins, rising artist Brandon Davis, the Outlaw Rodeo, lumberjack shows, pig races, and stilt walkers.
UTC Homecoming Parade & Pep Rally: The inaugural parade rolls down Vine Street starting at 4:30pm, featuring Terrell Owens and Chad Ochocinco Johnson, the Marching Mocs, Spirit Squads, food trucks, and a pep rally at Chamberlain Pavilion.
Lights Out Chattanooga: A free event at Greenway Farm Park exploring how light pollution affects birds, insects, wildlife, and people, with hands on demonstrations and activities promoting darker skies.
Saturday Insight
Red Bank Porchfest: A free, all day music festival where local musicians play on porches all over the neighborhood, grab a lawn chair and wander from yard to yard.
Chattanooga Comic Con: Celebrating five years as Chattanooga's home for comics and pop culture, with cosplay, gaming, panels, workshops, and a packed exhibitor floor.
Tennessee Festival of Vendors: A free holiday market at the Hixson Community Center with local vendors, a family fun zone, hourly giveaways, food trucks, and a Toys for Tots drive.
Sounds Gay, Y'all: Chattanooga's first ever queer music and arts festival, built to be safer, accessible, and fun, with a diverse lineup and two dance parties.
Adult Coloring at Plant Bar: Pull up a chair, pick a page, and color from 4 to 8pm, pages and supplies provided, bring a friend and order a drink.
🔮 Look Ahead
🎵 Big Band Day
Sunday, November 8 | Chattanooga Market | More Info
Another free live performance at the Market, with classic and modern big band, swing, Latin, and waltz tunes to keep the dance floor moving. The Market also honors Veterans Day with a Quilts of Valor presentation at 1:30pm on the Sunday Funday Stage.
🧱 Minecraft Monday
Monday, November 9 | Katie Lamb Public Library | Free | More Info
A library gaming session where kids ages 6 to 18 can play Minecraft together, free and open to all skill levels.
🎬 Tuesday Matinees
Tuesday, November 10 | Downtown Library | Free | More Info
Free movie matinees at the Downtown Library on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays, with popcorn included.
🎨 Watercolor 102: Whimsical Watercolor for Beginners
Wednesday, November 11 | The Chattery | $37.05 | More Info
No experience necessary for this step by step class, where you will paint a whimsical illustration and finish with ink pen detailing, all supplies included and everyone leaves with a finished piece.
🎤 Cody Smith
Thursday, November 12 | The Comedy Catch | $22.75 | More Info
Touring comedian Cody Smith brings his sharp wit and storytelling to the Catch for a night of laughs, 18 and up, seats assigned first come first serve.
Together with The Blade Partners
Closets By Design: If you're constantly rearranging your closet and it still never feels right, it's not you, it's the space. Upgrade your closet.
C&C Nursery and Landscape: Overgrown yard? Schedule a plant installation and get free late season pruning. Get a free quote.
Restoration 1 of Chattanooga: Late summer humidity can bring out mold in places you're not checking. Get a free estimate.
M.B.D Janitorial Services: Local, reliable office and commercial cleaning that keeps your space client ready. Get a quote.
The Sweet and Savory Classroom: Book a class this month and use code KnifeSkills for a free Knife Skills online class.
Where To Eat
Hutton & Smith Brewing Co.: Okay friends, our brewery pick this week is the little taproom on the Southside that earth nerds and beer nerds both love. Named after two famous geologists, Hutton and Smith pours a lineup built around easy drinking staples like the Basecamp Blonde and the Good Schist, plus a rotating cast of IPAs that keep locals coming back. The warehouse style taproom has plush couches mixed in with tables, so it is the kind of place where one flight turns into an afternoon. Pet friendly, laid back, and about as Chattanooga as it gets.
📍 431 E ML King Blvd, Ste 120, Chattanooga, TN 37403
Flights and good company at a Southside taproom
Niedlov's Breadworks: For the coffee shop pick, we are sending you to the Southside spot that has been baking Chattanooga's favorite sourdough since 2002. Niedlov's is a bakery and cafe at heart, pouring locally roasted espresso alongside scratch made breakfast and lunch, think flaky ham and cheese croissants, avocado toast, and sandwiches built on their own bread. It gets busy, especially on weekends, but that is because everybody knows this is where you go for a proper morning in Chattanooga.
📍 215 E Main St, Chattanooga, TN 37408
Fresh bread and coffee at a Southside bakery cafe
That's a wrap, friends. Row, parade, swap, shop, and eat your way through this one, and we will see you out there this weekend. Forward this to a friend so they do not miss the fair, the parade, or that first bite of sourdough at Niedlov's. Catch you next Thursday 💛
More From The Blade
Previous Issue: Things To Do In Chattanooga This Weekend October 9 to October 15
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