June is the charmed month in the South. The weather is usually glorious, not too hot (yet) and not too humid (yet). Chattanooga packs as much into summer as it can beginning with June. Music festivals, farmers markets, outdoor movies, outdoor gatherings and more things than you can shake a stick at can be found every weekend all summer long. Here are your best bets for this weekend, June 1-3rd in Chattanooga.
Rock City Summer Music Weekends
As a huge fan of our local world -renowned tourist attraction. I personally try to visit Rock City at least twice a year. The beautiful park is a wonderful example of Lookout Mountain’s micro-climate and hearkens back to a simpler time (read when I was a kid in the stone age). All summer long you can head to Rock City on Friday, Saturday or Sunday and hear live music including bluegrass from local bluegrass musician in residence Matt Downer- Old Time Traveler. Matt has been a fixture on the local Chattanooga music scene for years and is considered on the top folk musicians in the area. Enjoy the sites, grab lunch and as a bonus, check out the raptor show (I promise, it is very exciting). Since Lookout Mountain is a micro climate, the weather is a little cooler up there and can be a great reprieve from the heat. Live offered every Friday, Saturday and Sunday with a variety of musicians. Check out calendar for info. Rock City 1400 Patten Road Lookout Mountain, GA.
Bacon and Barrel Festival
Chattanooga loves it’s bacon and was put on the barrel map by Chattanooga Whiskey, which had state law changed to start making whiskey in Chattanooga. So it stands to reason that the Bacon and Barrel Festival will be a huge hit this weekend. With 15 local Chattanooga restaurants and more than 40 distilleries and live music, this should be a tasty evening. Held rain or shine, Friday night from 6-9pm at the First Tennessee Pavilion and benefiting the Chattanooga Market. You must have a ticket to attend, none will be sold at the door. 1826 Reggie White Blvd.
National Trails Day
If you are any kind of history buff, you know that Chattanooga and North Georgia played an integral part in the Civil War. With two national park sites in the area, it is easy to “walk history” in the Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Parks . Saturday, you can work on the trails we all enjoy year round. Volunteers are invited to meet at the Lookout Mountain Battlefield Visitor Center to work on the Bluff Trails that starts at stairs leading to Point Park and heading to Sunset Rock. Help is needed to replace trail signs, clean graffiti and clear vines. All tools are provided. This is a national day of work on the national trails put on by the American Hiking Society. RSVP to Will Wilson at will_wilson@nps.gov .
Fitz and The Tantrums
If you are feeling like getting hyped and dancing all your cares away, buy yourself a ticket to Fitz and the Tantrums at The Signal on Saturday night. I have personally loved this band since my daughter got on stage with them at the inaugural River Rocks Festival in Chattanooga years ago. Since then, I have seen them several times and every time they put on an amazing, high energy show. Hailing from Washington DC, their sound is a great combination of old school soul and pop. Tickets are available at the box office or by calling 423-498-4700. Show is at 8:30. 1810 Chestnut Street.
Strawberry Festival at the Chattanooga Market
You heard it here…go EARLY! Looking to purchase strawberries this Sunday? The Chattanooga Market is celebrating all things strawberry on Sunday and they will not last long. Vendors will be serving strawberry themed foods, drinks and of course, you will be able to find freshly picked strawberries. Strawberries are at a premium this time of year, so go early before they are gone. The Chattanooga Market is one of the top farmer’s markets in the nation and is one of the top draws of the area. Open 11-4pm every Sunday. 1829 Carter Street.
We hope you have a fantastic weekend and enjoy everything Chattanooga has to offer. If you need suggestions on food, festivals or anything going on in Chattanooga or North Georgia, give us a shout. We all live, work and play here!
