Chattanooga Market opens
Sunday, January 1, 1905
Hundreds turn out for Chattanooga Market at First Tennessee Pavilion. Opening day is this Sunday, with programming continuing weekly through December.CHATTANOOGA MARKET SCHEDULEWhen: Open 11 a.m.-4 p.m. SundaysWhere: First Tennessee Pavilion, 1829 Reggie White Blvd.Phone: 423-648-2496Website: www.chattanoogamarket.comNote: Dates for two-day markets may vary.• April 21: Opening Day• April 28: SpringFest• May 5: Cinco de Mayo• May 12: Mother's Day• May 19: EPB Strawberry Festival• May 26: Beast Feast BBQ Festival• June 2: Big Band Swingfest• June 9: Chattanoggins• June 16: Father's Day Brew & Bluegrass• June 23: Blueberry Festival• June 30: Street Food Festival• July 7: Peach Festival• July 14: Ice Cream Social• July 21: Mountain View Bluegrass• July 28: Tomato Festival• Aug. 4: Celebrate Local Food• Aug. 11: FiveStar Food Fight• Aug. 18: Live United• Aug. 25: Summerfest• Sept. 1: Hot Rod Auto Show• Sept. 8: Harvest Festival• Sept. 15: Kickin' Chicken• Sept. 22: Cast Iron Cook-off• Sept. 29: Chattanooga Chili• Oct. 6: CultureFest• Oct. 13: Cut Up For Life• Oct. 19-20: Chattanooga Oktoberfest• Oct. 27: The Haunted Market• Nov. 3: Erlanger Health Fair• Nov. 10: Bark For Life• Nov. 17: Coca Cola Big Band Day• Nov. 23-24: Thanksgiving Market• Dec. 7-8, 14-15, 21-22: Holiday Market at Chattanooga Convention Center
Chattanooga Market opened its 2013 season on Sunday, April 21, a day eagerly awaited by many area residents.
General Manager Paul Smith expected a huge turnout.
"Last year's opening day was just nuts," he says. "Our vendors did over $108,000 in business in only five hours. We try to provide a good product and hope people come out and enjoy it."
This season, more than 130 artisans will offer their hand-crafted wares, as well as more than 50 area farms bringing a variety of meats, produce and cheeses. New this year is Chattanooga Bakery, makers of MoonPies.
"We are exploding at the seams," Smith says. "We have grown tremendously since the off season -- in almost every way."
As is tradition, each week of the 35-week market will feature a different theme. This year's additions include an 8K run during Harvest Festival on Sept. 8, an expanded Oktoberfest, a bigger Holiday Market and a chocolate festival during the Mother's Day celebration.
Smith says he's most excited about a Street Food Festival on June 30.
"The street food movement in Chattanooga is exploding, and we are inviting some trucks from Atlanta, Nashville and Knoxville," he says. "Come hungry."
Opening day featured musicians from the Chattanooga Symphony & Opera and the CSO Youth Ensemble. Community musicians played a few selections with the CSO.
Contact staff writer Karen Nazor Hill at khill@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6396.