Ringgold egg drop set today

Members of the Ringgold Downtown Partners are hoping the rain stays away today so the town can be showered with a different kind of precipitation: thousands of pastel, plastic eggs.

A helicopter, donated for the day by Chattanooga Poured Walls, will drop 10,000 eggs on the Ringgold High School football field starting at 11 a.m.

There will also be another 10,000 eggs on the ground.

“The eggs will all be filled with candy or toys and coupons from local businesses,” said Bonnie Wagner, owner of Ringgold Power Sports and partnership team leader. “All the businesses have contributed money so the event is completely free for the children.”

Children must register so they can be grouped by age for the event. Registration starts at 9:30 a.m., and organizers expect the event to last until 1 p.m.

Activities include four inflatable rides, face painting, free train rides and story time from the Catoosa County Library. Concession stands will sell food.

“Walgreen’s will have a camera and the Easter bunny for people to get their pictures made,” Ms. Wagner said. “They will have a printer and the pictures are free.”

Joy Thornton, owner of United Gift Shop, said the event is being operated by volunteers. Catoosa Commissioner Jim Cutler will emcee the egg drop and Share Craven, pastor of Origin Church, will lead a prayer.

“We want this to be a community event, including the local churches,” Ms. Thornton said. “We hope they will join us.”

The event is part of the Downtown Partnership’s plans to promote Ringgold, Ms. Wagner said. The group wants residents to shop locally and make downtown a destination, she said.

“This is our first major event,” she said. “It’s a good way to boost Ringgold and it’s one of many more events we have coming.”