Chattanooga: Go!Fest at zoo helps raise awareness of disabilities

By Laura Galbraith, Staff Writer

Saturday’s fourth annual Go!Fest celebration at the Chattanooga Zoo brought disability awareness as well as community spirit as hundreds of families came out to support the cause and enjoy a free day at the zoo.

“I think that every year Go!Fest has gotten bigger and bigger and better,” said Jennie Sumrell, the program and partnership coordinator for PlayCore, a manufacturer of playground equipment.

“This is the most people I’ve ever seen come out, and I think there’s a lot of excitement growing with this new part of the zoo,” she said.

Elaine Adams, the therapeutic recreation coordinator for Chattanooga’s Department of Parks and Recreation, said Go!Fest is about celebrating people’s abilities, rather than their disabilities. By competing in free activities like adaptive golf, wheelchair tennis and adaptive cycling, disabled visitors can show others, including themselves, their true talents.